How to Use Social Networks without the Ego

In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged priests to blog. This year, he blesses social media and networking. In his message during the Catholic Church’s celebration of the 45th World Day of Communications (2011), he said, “I would like then to invite Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible” (Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age).

How do we get the ball rolling? This is not just for beginners but for those who are in these social networks. How do we build up our sites without being about ego?

Start with your name. We begin with who you are. We do have a personality or a persona that is associated with our name or our expertise. For example, once you hear the name Michael Jackson, you associate him with pop music of the 80s. You do not think of waltz or New Age or Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

The same thing when we blog: what can you share? In what are you good at? Your name or the name of your ministry should be associated with something worthwhile. The extension your name has may be important: Dr, Engr, PhD, Sr., Fr., SJ, OP etc. They give your ‘persona’ a certain credibility if you talk about a topic in your own field.

And then within your social network, you protect your reputation, profession or service genre. Be mindful too of the people you represent like one’s congregation, organization or professional colleagues.

Why is it important to have this ‘persona’ in the internet? Because social media is the way to the future. People now have transparent relationships. We can have our own niche in cyberspace; like putting up our own office where people can go to and consult. We are programmed to recognize faces than abstract images for profile picture or avatars. Our DNA are oriented towards real people than texts like archaic pseudonyms writers took in the past.

Those in the upper echelons of technology said that the people with the greater connection and network will be the ones who will be most influential in immediate future. This is the direction of the world. And if we would like to contribute in building the Kingdom of God, we first follow Jesus: Go and preach to all nations. Then, from it flows heeding the Pope: go and blog! Go and facebook! Go and tweet! Everyone now can preach across the globe! (Above is a picture of facebook friends connections around the world.)

But the Holy Father also cautioned us this year, “It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives,” he wrote. Our online lives are not at par with our personal ties. Nothing beats face-to-face relationships.

To me, social networks should enhance and enrich what we already have. Social networks should bring people towards a more direct involvement and engagement with the world. Thus, we can use our social networks to advocate human rights and to help in the awareness of violations done all over the world. We have seen how social networking influence media and politics.

Second, set up a facebook page and/or a twitter account. If you’re in a ministry, you can set up a page for your specific ministry. Since each page needs a ‘face’ you can set it up with your name on it (advisable) like Bishop Antonio Tagle DD of the Diocese of Imus in the Philippines who has his own work in media. (Mine is here.)

You can also use your ministry such as the Jesuit Communications Facebook Page. But be sure that it is owned by your whole team, or else, should you decide to transfer to a new job, someone can take over as the administrator of the page.

And then, you can set up a twitter account so that the people whom you pastor can receive updates. It can supplement the announcements after communion, save you some money from mobile text brigades and spare you some free time from email blasts. (Mine is here.) Or if you want an online bulletin, you can use Tumblr which is a free platform with lots of themes to choose from. Tumblr is micro-blogging so it is easy to use. (Mine is here.)

Third, focus on great content. In all social networks, this is the most important. Have something to say. Have something to share. If you hold a doctorate in sociology, then give the world the perspective of a sociologist; if you are a teacher in philosophy, then help us understand how people today regard the world. (Mine is here.) You’ve got to be follow-able.

You can answer these two questions to FOCUS: Follow One Course Until you Succeed (Mari Smith).

1. What experience do you want your audience to have when they come in contact with you on your page or twitter? What would you like the people to feel when they land on your page or check your tweets? Would you like them to feel positive, challenged, inspired, optimistic? Do you strengthen or weaken their sense of God?
2. What would you do to get your message across? What is best for your targeted audience: do they like to read or watch videos? Do they like reading long texts or short ones?

We sometimes want to put everything out. But take a closer look: in the process of friendships, self-revelations are done little by little. We are first known for something. And then we branch out.

In social media, we first find our niche. And when we are known in that niche, we can move on. Simple: have you ever been overwhelmed by a person who puts all the cards on the table the very first time you’ve met? The best stories have movement. The skilled storyteller gives out information one by one until it reaches the climax.

I believe the most beautiful story is the history of salvation. But it is up to the storyteller of today to make the stories exciting or otherwise.

How to Use Facebook/Twitter With A Sense of Purpose

Do you want to maximize the use of your social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter in terms of a bigger purpose as evangelization? You signed up to connect with your friends, and now that you are part of a virtual reunion, you want to do more than just the usual hi-and-hellos.

Here are some tips that comes from my own experience in social media. This is highly recommended especially for those who have a ‘religious’ intent — but even if you don’t — you will find it profitable.

Remember CAPAS: a pneumonic device to easily remember the five points. I use these points to reflect on my ‘life’ as a Jesuit, but I believe we can apply them to social networking.

Community: What can you contribute to the community? When you think about a ‘community’ think of your Twitter followers or Facebook friends. They are the people God has given you to shepherd. The following questions might help:

1. What can you give to your followers? Are you interested in music, dance, the Liturgy, math and science, interior design, socio-eco-political issues? What are you good at? St. Ignatius of Loyola said that the gifts that the Lord has bestowed on us are also the best tools to use in the spread of the Gospel. So, know your talents, and share them online.

2. Know your numbers: Do you want to hold on to a small group of followers or friends, or do you want a large number to network with? Do you want to share your insights privately or publicly? Do you want to broadcast to how many people? A ‘small’ group of friends would mean a more focused concern; many followers may mean tackling a general issue. Just change the settings according to your preference.

3. Edit. Do not share anything, but share something. Do not share whatever comes across, filter what comes across. Tweet helpful information or information you think can benefit others.

Apostolate: What service to others do you do? What advocacy do you support? When you post pictures of yourself volunteering at a feeding program or building houses, you concretely witness to the Gospel. There is a difference between someone who shares only insights and someone who shares both insights and personal experiences of living them out. Remember Jesus always walks the talk.

Psycho-emotional life: Social networks are about communication in relationships. Facebook and Twitter are supposed to help us deepen our friendships, and not destroy them. Somehow we open ourselves to those within our networks. Thus, it is important to choose whose friend requests are to be accepted.

1. What should we share in a public forum? There is appropriately share-able information, while some should rightfully be for the consumption of an intimate friend. A psycho-emotional status can involve a feeling about a legitimate concern. For example, “Disappointed. I was not able to answer well the Science exam today. I will do better next time.” This status gives the reader a sense of hope, with the resolution at the last sentence.

It is different from a rant, wherein, you shout at length in anger or in an impassioned way like a spoiled brat. We, your followers, are not your shock absorbers or your yayas. Unfortunately, many use the status message as a medium to rant incessantly. A question to ask: If you were a follower of such tweets or status messages, will you be pleased by these tantrums? Be charitable: don’t waste other people’s time.

2. A good rule is this: What can best benefit my ‘community’? Sometimes to let our human side appear is better than an image of icy rigidity that often characterize many, sorry to say this, religious. They are so stuck to what people will say to the point of paralysis. That to me is a tragedy: they’re dead before they lived.

3. And since it is a relationship, learn how to receive negative or positive feedback. At best, learn to respond to messages posted on the wall, or answer personal messages that needs a reciprocity. You don’t need to write a novel but a simple acknowledgement like a “thank you” suffices.

Academic: We should discern on what we put online. We have to feed our community with content like an idea, an insight, a quote, a practical tip, an inspiring message, a joke, a Biblical passage, a work of art, or a moving video. We do not want to insult their intelligence.

1. Try a new term: A learned ministry. Meaning, whatever service you offer to your community, they undergo some mental process and discernment, including intelligent sharing. On Twitter: what are the prime tweet hours where there are more people to converse and to attract heavy traffic into our site? On Facebook: Do not synch your tweets with your Facebook status. You don’t want to see, “Yes, I agree” on your wall!

2. In any case, you can tweet or update your status from anywhere with your phone or where there’s wifi, but when you tweet, always be mindful of others. Let people feel that you are always thinking about them, so you give them healthy food for their life and not junk.

3. There are issues around us that need to be discussed; or at least, given some attention. Not all newscasts cover the whole truth. If you have something worthwhile to say, hop in on the conversation. Twitter is supposedly a dialogue; Facebook invites you to join in the loop of things, so never hesitate to comment — unless you have nothing to say.

Spirituality. There are many people who share about the news, about the latest gadgets, about the trivial likes and dislikes of celebrities. Share what you do not often see online. Discover this niche: Spiritual ‘goodies’ are still not on the virtual shelf. The more we share about our reflections and experiences of God as snippets from our lives, the better.

If you think the internet is flooded with useless information, then we should storm cyberspace with inspiring ones.

7 Capital Reasons Why a Priest must be on Twitter

Why am I, a priest, on Twitter? I ranted once about why I enjoyed being on Twitter to some members of my community and I got various reactions. I must admit some were unpleasant. Many said they still don’t get the point.

For the Church, everything we do must have a reason. Every act has a purpose. Every endeavor should lead towards the praise, honor and glory of God. Why? Because that is who we are, what we are and where we are headed. If things are done from pure instinct or feelings, then carried out without much thought, we cease to be human.

Here are some of the reasons why I am on Twitter.

1. Building a community of believers. On Twitter, I run a virtual campus ministry or parish. It allows me to build a strong network. Most are Catholics. Some belong to other faith traditions while others claim that they are not part of any institutional religion. Needless to say, they are persons also loved by God whether they reciprocate or not. This is enough reason to be in this form of ministry. Think of St. Paul and the first Christians who formed a new community of faith from scratch. Think of the missionaries who sailed to the Pacific centuries ago. The internet is the new mission area.

When people follow me, they connect with me. They are initiated into a universal community. By connecting, they are able to contribute to the conversation; their voices are heard. When we share thoughts, struggles, memories, and prayers with each other, we are able to gather in the Lord’s name. In virtual reality, I am not just the source of content; everyone is.

This is the essence of Twitter. Without followers, we are talking to no one. We are like priests without a community to serve. Ministry is about using our gifts for a specific and concrete group of people. However, it is easy to have followers; you only have to be patient like the first missionaries who initially had one until they were able to convert all. The difference today is that it does not take years to have a convert. Once people know you’re on Twitter, they will add you. Even the lousiest priest has followers. Don’t ask me why.

2. Sanctification. The minister and the community help sanctify each other. On Twitter, I get instant feedback. If my parishioners hear a lousy homily, they tweet. They now have an easy way to remind us that preparing our homily is a charitable act. Twitter is better than a suggestion box. [My homilies. Follow me on Twitter]

Since I am a priest, Twitter has been very beneficial to my ministry. Since my followers are students and parishioners, I am able to ask them about their concerns and needs. Then I write my homilies considering them. Somehow, this dialogue makes you better, if not, holier.

3. To read the signs of the times. To be able to know where the Holy Spirit is leading us, we must know current events. We must know what’s trending. We should know the pulse of the people and what are relevant to them.

Generations ago, you had to listen to the radio, turn on the television and buy newspapers to be updated. We sought out the news. Now, the news finds us before it is on air. For newbies, the first thing to do is follow CNN, Time, Newsweek, Al Jazeera English and/or local news programs like ANC, ABS-CBN, GMA7. You also get them firsthand if you follow reporters. In addition, what happens in Rome reaches the Philippines in real time. Since I followed several Jesuits and institutions on Twitter, I now know what fellow Jesuits are up to halfway around the globe. It is nice to know that you are all working as one.

But knowing the facts quickly is not the end of the line. We have to go further and deeper. The Superior General of the Jesuits, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas SJ reminds us of our mission of depth. Non multa sed multum: Not many but much. Not quantity of information but depth. Not many bits of knowledge but what matters.

To be able to articulate what satisfies the soul, one’s discernment has to be based on facts, figures and the pulse of the people: you now know where I get it.

4. Tools of the Trade. Like a soldier, we cannot go to war without weapons. We must have all the information we need to become effective. Hours ago, I asked how social media could help in evangelization. Lo and behold! I got instant tweets. They forwarded useful links. They gave me their ideas. They told me about what they would find appealing. If I tweet about mass readings and prayers, will they find them worth their attention? If I send excerpts from the breviary’s Morning and Evening Prayers, will they be grateful or irritated? Should I tweet these excerpts every 15 mins, 30 mins, or an hour? The rate of their response was faster than interviewing, browsing or Googling.

5. Entertainment. I know this sounds so superficial, but we do need a good laugh not just once but most of the time. Humor keeps us sane and healthy. I remember Paolo Coelho responding to me! I am sure the high-brow version of the religious would find following celebrities superficial. If you’re one of them, admit it, you Pharisee! If one of the celebrities befriends you, no matter how disdainful their actions are to your taste, you will be ecstatic!

6. Accessibility. Let me say this first: Nothing beats the face-to-face relationship. But in circumstances when this is challenging, we can settle for the second best: technology. I believe the Church should go to the people. I want the Church to be as accessible as possible to their flock.

Twitter is a good way of shepherding. When people have doubts about the faith or confused with their particular and personal issues, they can tweet me right away. I can guide them when they need me. Likewise, they can also talk to me anytime. I have Twitter in my mobile phone. And this is what is good: I can shepherd without negotiating heavy traffic! Twitter can bring the Church closer to its people.

7. Promotion. I work at the Jesuit Music Ministry of the Jesuit Communications Foundation Inc., the media apostolate of the Philippine Province. We produce religious and inspirational albums. Many songs you hear at mass come from us. We produce television spots, MTVs, documentaries and radio programs. We also have training programs. Twitter is an inexpensive way to promote our products. We believe that the more people use our products, the more we are able to spread the Word of God in different appealing formats.

On Twitter, I also promote vocations, religious activities and events. Or if we want to be product-based, then consider selling the Word of God to a clientele who are not necessarily from within our circle.

Pope Paul VI once said:

“It is unthinkable that a person should believe the Word of God and submit himself to the Kingdom without becoming a person who bears witness to it and proclaims it in his turn.” (Evangelii Nuntiandi 24)

So why not use Twitter to proclaim eternity?