From the editor

While not new, it remains important for us to acknowledge the way social media impacts our relationships and conversations within the church.

Meredith Gould, a speaker at the Associated Church Press convention April 25-27 in Chicago, outlined four areas of our understanding that digital technology has changed. Gould is a sociologist and digital strategist for churches.

She began by addressing the misconception that “social” in “social media” means “chit chat.”

In fact, “social” refers to providing tools for “creating, nurturing and fostering community.”

I will address three of her four points below and their impact within Mennonite Church USA:

1. Time and timing: Expectations surrounding how long a process takes have completely changed, she said. People are aware of news happenings much faster than they used to be, and they expect immediate feedback. She provided the example of the falling popularity of RSVPs. Millennials (those born after 1980) often disregard that practice as they think that by the time they RSVP, the “train has left the station.”
2. I thought of the news that broke in December 2013 regarding Mountain States Mennonite Conference’s decision to license pastor Theda Good. I heard some individuals express frustration about the amount of time it took the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board to respond. The EB wanted to wait until its scheduled meeting in February before releasing a response. Prior to social media, I doubt there would have been the same expectation for a response within weeks of hearing this kind of news.
3. Privacy and disclosure: Gould said “transparency” is now another buzzword overused by leaders. It actually means telling the truth and admitting that all information on the web is public, she said. While it is possible to lock down some information online, it is wiser to assume it all is public. I thought of an example within Mennonite Church USA when I called a conference minister to ask if a letter to the EB from some congregational leaders within his conference was a “public document.” He said he had seen it floating around over email, so he assumed it was public. I admired this particular leader’s realistic and open attitude. One can’t take back an email after it is sent.
4. Leadership and authority: Finally, Gould said that digital technology is democratizing and flattening hierarchies within the church world. As Mennonites, we may think the hierarchy piece applies less to us, but the democratizing dynamic surely impacts our life as a church.

For example, at the Constituency Leaders Council meeting March 20-22, Ervin Stutzman, executive director, said the Executive Board hopes to conduct a congregational survey in the coming months to gather fresh data on church member responses to LGBT inclusion.

Digital technology could allow for an extensive online survey that could potentially reach almost every member of Mennonite Church USA. This is exciting. However, a challenge remains: how best to reach the varying parts of the church?

For instance, the pro-inclusion part of the church tends to be more digitally savvy and comfortable with online surveys, so the response rate from that group could be higher.

The EB will want to hear from as many people as possible—not just those eager to respond online. This could involve mailing and emailing as well as offering a link to the online survey.

For Mennonite Church USA, democratization due to digital technology is not straightforward or even predictable.

As we move forward, let’s consider ways to embrace these changes—thanks to digital technology—that Gould calls “irrevocable.” At the same time, it would be prudent to consider ways not to leave others behind.