ConXion Issue 1 2014

Its here! ConXion Magazine's Autumn issue is available here and is being posted out to our contacts this week.

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Bringing The Light Of Christ into Online Communities

ConXion Magazine's facebook page brings you inspiring articles, important event reminders and shine the light of Christ into your newsfeeds. We can all using our social media platforms to bring the light of Christ into other people's lives.

Just as the world is watching how Christians respond in public they are watching how we respond online. Ron Edmondson gives us 7 tips about how we can be salt and light in our online communities.

Be Positive-We are told to “do everything without arguing or complaining.” (Philippians 2:14) That doesn’t mean we can’t support causes we believe in, but they should be moral and Biblical issues, not personal agendas. 

Be Private– Unless you’ve practiced Matthew 18 principles, and even then it would be rare, don’t address your problems with others online. It’s not helpful and never promotes peace. (Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14) 

Be Peaceful – We shouldn’t say things about others that may be misinterpreted as a stab against them. Guard your online tongue. (James 3) I see this especially as a passive aggressive tactic. We feel “safe” evoking insults or cuts to another person online that we would never say to their face. 

Be Particularly Encouraging – Social media can be a great way to encourage others. We shouldn’t spam with massive amounts of posts. Few appreciate the person who reshares everything they see, but most everyone likes to read an encouraging word pointed especially to them. (Ephesians 4:29) 

Pause Before You Post– Do unto others as we’d have them do to us. We should always think before we post. Pause. Breathe. Think. Post. Ask yourself how you would be impacted by the post before you post it. (Luke 6:31) 

Guard Against Pride – We have to be careful with self-promotion and bragging about ourselves online. It’s one of the best ways currently to engage people for Kingdom building. But, this is a reminder for me too. We must check our motives, guard our hearts and never allow our egos to rob glory from what God wants to do through our online presence. (Proverbs 11:2, 13:10) 

Be Present– It’s easy to post “Happy birthday” or reply “Praying for you” without really doing so. We shouldn’t trade the functions of the Body for an online presence. (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24). And when we are with people IRL (in real life), we need to put away our devices and be present with them! 

And if you are doing all that shining, pray that you’ll have an opportunity to share the Light with them, perhaps over a ‘real’ cup of coffee!

You can read more from Ron at www.RonEdmonson.com

Donna