The Social Network

Dear Crosswalkers,
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer… And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42,47


Greetings to you in the name of Jesus our Lord!  Earlier this week, Leanna and I had the opportunity to see the new movie, The Social Network.  This is a compelling film based on the true story of the founding of Facebook, with some self admitted “dramatic license” by the film-makers.  Since for 2,000 years the church has been, and continues to be, a social network, this film was intriguing.  Now of course the church is more than a social network. Note God’s vision for his family, in the verses quoted above:

A CHURCH DEVOTED TO LEARNING (“devoted to the apostles’ teaching”)

A CHURCH DEVOTED TO CARING FRIENDSHIPS (“and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals”)

A CHURCH DEVOTED TO WORSHIP (“(including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer”)

A CHURCH DEVOTED TO MISSION (“the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved”)

Because the church is to be devoted to fellowship, the church is a social network!  Now there are a number of things we can discuss about the film and how social networking on the internet applies to our culture and our church.  Because many of you have not seen the film, but may want to, I will hold back on some comments that would be “spoilers” for the film and reserve those for another time.  Points of interest and lessons:

The writer of the script for The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin, is highly critical of Facebook!  He said this:  “It’s a device that’s meant to connect us, to bring us closer together. I think, and I know I’m in the minority, at minimum there are 500 million people who disagree with me, I think it’s pushing us further apart. I think socializing on the Internet is to socializing what reality TV is to reality.“  How can Facebook push us further apart?  If it takes the place of real face to face table-fellowship that includes learning together, worshiping together, and serving in mission together!
The founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is portrayed in the film as a person with some very anti-social and unfriendly tendencies!  The irony is stark!  He is portrayed as being duplicitous and even treacherous.  Some of this portrayal seems to be well documented in real life.  However, he is also protrayed as a bit of a loner who wants to be accepted, and has very human strengths and weaknesses.  Interestingly, as the movie was released, the real Zuckerberg went on Oprah and donated $100 million to the failing New Jersey pubilic school system!  Whether a PR move or a genuine care for schools, it is certainly a good thing to help our troubled schools!
All of Zuckerberg’s actions in the film were arguably legal.  Chuck Colson writes:  Similarly, virtually all of the practices that nearly wrecked the global economy back in 2008 were legal–all of which goes to prove that just because something is legal doesn’t make it ethical or right…  So the question isn’t “why?” but “why not?” If the only thing standing between you and millions, even billions, is other people’s disapproval, why not do what you want to do? Especially since you can subsequently buy their approval with a check and an appearance on Oprah?  Of course, if this becomes normative, then the kind of trust that makes free markets possible would dry up… My take is this:  Yes, being legal doesn’t make it right!  The ethical crisis in America is to be expected with the increasing secularization of our country!  As people get away from God, they get away from living a life accountable to God.  Ultimately the answer is the Good News of Jesus and a commitment to the social networking of Acts 2:42-47!
Obviously, Facebook is a great tool to get connected with people we haven’t seen in a long time, to stay connected when geography seperates us, and to communicate quickly and easily with family and friends.  For me, the film about Facebook’s founding is a much needed reminder of God’s plan for social networking based on doing the right thing with each other as exemplified in Acts chapter two!

Love in Jesus,

Pastor John Christie


THIS SUNDAY:  DOES RAHAB NEED REHAB?
Our series entitled “Heroes by Faith” takes us on a visit with Rahab the prostitute this Sunday!  She was living and working in the city of Jericho prior to it’s destruction.  In the New Testament, she is celebrated as a woman of great faith!  Come and see how her faith served her well in a time of great crisis.

Also, please begin bringing bags of Halloween candy for our October Outreach Community Trick or Treat Event!  Simply place them on the table in back of the worship center!  Thanks in advance for helping us bless our community!