Because of social media, everyone has a voice right now. Many of these voices are frustrated and angry by their inability to be heard. In response, our culture is getting louder and louder to be listened to and noticed. Is that the right strategy? Simply turning up the volume? Before we turn up the volume we should engage in evaluation.

I think that a message might not be heard for 3 reasons, the message is…

Divorced from accountability. Social media allows people to have a platform that do not have a position of leadership. This can affect tone greatly.  In my position, I am a pastor, and I have democrats and republicans that attend my church. People I love, serve, connect with, and pastor. My tone is affected by my position. I need to love each side well. I need to challenge each side well.

Without this organic accountability that comes with leadership, voices can devolve into angry messages that fail to connect. If you do not have a position, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share, but it does mean that you should be aware and pay attention to your tone. Ask a few people you trust to evaluate your tone.

Divorced from grace.  We are hard wired for grace. Created for it, changed by it, and urged to demonstrate it.  Any post I see that is completely absent grace, I tend to ignore. I have taken my ball and gone home on messages that are condescending, harsh, or resort to name calling. I suspect a lot of people are feeling this way.

Divorced from truth. It is easier than ever to share information that is not true. It is also easier than ever to verify the truthfulness of claims. A message might not be connecting to an audience because it isn’t truthful.

More than any other people group, Christians should be obsessed with learning the truth and sharing the truth. We worship one who is called The Truth. Jesus was described in one of the best ways, we are told He came in grace and truth. His message has endured, in small part, because that is the best way for a message to endure. Truth and grace.

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