Over the past two years, we’ve found ourselves tossed in the salad bowl of a changing world. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of our infrastructure, systems and yes, even the way we live our faith. In less than a year, we’ve had to rethink organised faith. How do we run church services and continue building community? How do we share the gospel? How do we keep the human aspect of Christianity alive?
In 2020, Alpha Malaysia conducted a survey of more than 1,000 Malaysian Christians on a digital faith, whether it’s working for them and if it will continue to be relevant post-pandemic.
Interestingly, 64% of the respondents disagreed when asked if ‘evangelisation in the digital world will lose its effectiveness when Covid-19 diminishes’, and 77% stated they share posts reflective of their Christian values and beliefs online1.
Overall, the findings suggest that an online personal faith, whether practised or shared, is here to stay.
How do I start taking my faith online?
However, the digital world also presents its own challenges. Overuse of social media is often linked to loneliness, isolation and a sense of disconnectedness2. On a practical front, how can we equip ourselves to be ambassadors for Christ in this digital age, while keeping our mental health and spiritual lives in check?
1. Make social media part of our toolkit.
God’s given each of us a toolkit unique to our purpose and seasons. Maybe your kit contains a paintbrush, a musical instrument, a calculator or the gift of speech. In the same way, social media can be a tool to share your faith! Use your platforms to speak of God’s faithfulness, encourage others and re-share stories that glorify His Name.
2. Watch our tongue.
Hiding behind the screen, it’s easy to get carried away. Emotions run high, fingers fly across the keyboard and bam. You’ve hit Enter and can’t take your words back. James 3 warns us about the power of the tongue, that ‘among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire.’ In whatever we do online, remember that our lives must reflect the One living in us.
3. Lean on His wisdom, every day.
Living an authentic faith means no divide between who you are in real life, and who you are in the digital world. To live for Christ both online and offline requires heavenly wisdom. Spend time in His presence often so you’re not swept away by illusions the world chases after. Find strength in real-life human connection, building holy, quiet friendships that feed your soul. Love God wholeheartedly, and His love will spill over into your screen.
Ultimately, whether going digital is your jam or you’re moving forward with trepidation, be encouraged to be strong and courageous… because God, your God is striding ahead of you (Deuteronomy 31:6). It’s time to take our faith online!
Sources:
1. Digital Evangelisation in Malaysia, 2020, Alpha Malaysia Research Team.
2. How Social Media Exploits Our Loneliness, 2021, Silard A.
3. Cover Image by Samantha Borges on Unsplash.
