Passive-Aggressive Social Media?

Surely there must be another way

In the pursuit of engaging with our communities and encouraging church attendance, the trend of leveraging pop culture memes with a passive-aggressive twist has highlighted a deeper issue—the potential for a condescending culture within the church. This approach prompts us to ask a significant question: Is this underlying condescension turning people away from the church, and more importantly, from Christ?

Cultural Relevancy

Current issues and events memes are definitely a trend in social media today. Recent examples, such as memes featuring Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift or Kevin McAllister sitting in church on Christmas Eve, have sparked something in me that I feel I just have to address as someone who has been in the church media industry for 18 years. I’ve never spoken out publicly about this topic, but it has cost me nights of sleep and days of grief as I weigh out the ROI for which we are bound.

I think it’s radically important for the church to be aware of pop culture and trends in media. I think it’s vital that we’re able to be relevant in our teachings and draw comparisons or contrasts to current events to increase connection and relatability. However, we can’t blame cultural relevancy when it comes to missing the bigger mark: the representation of Jesus and His nature. While these efforts aim to connect with the congregation in a relatable manner, the trend of using passive-aggressive guilt to ensure attendance—seen in memes featuring celebrities or iconic movie scenes—calls for a moment of reflection.

A Misalignment with the example of Jesus

The trend walks dangerously close to a misalignment with the example that Jesus himself has set. The essence of our calling is to reflect Christ—to be mirrors that accurately portray His love, grace, and truth to the world. Visual content possesses the unique ability to resonate with our congregations, evoking emotions and fostering a sense of belonging. However, its misuse as a tool for guilt and shame risks alienating individuals, moving us away from the core message of the Gospel. Romans 2:4 offers a profound reminder: "It is God’s kindness that is intended to lead us to repentance." This scripture underscores the transformative power of divine kindness over judgment, inviting us to reflect on our approach to communication and community building. Incorporating pop culture can make religious messages more accessible, yet it's vital that our intentions remain focused on fostering understanding and connection, not on leveraging guilt as a motivator for attendance. As a reminder, the essence of the life offered through faith in Jesus, purpose filled and abundant stands well on its own, without the need for any cynical spin to enhance its desirability. It speaks to a life completely fulfilled, brimming with purpose and devoid of the emptiness that often pervades our modern existence. Shouldn’t that be the message we are sending?

Pastors, here are a few questions to ask yourself before jumping on this bandwagon:

• Is my motive for this post coming from a place of cynicism or insecurity?

• Will this post reveal to my community something in me that will hinder my ability to effectively represent Jesus?

• Does the message I’m sending accurately mirror who Jesus is and how He views His children?

• Do i need to get my mind realigned with the heart of the Good Shepherd?

• Are we truly reflecting Jesus in all we do, or have we allowed cultural norms and personal biases to shape our witness? How can we realign our ministry practices, our communication, and our very lives to more accurately reflect the heart of Jesus?

• Am I building bridges or constructing barriers?

Invitation, Not Condemnation

Visual content possesses the unique ability to resonate with our congregations, evoking emotions and fostering a sense of belonging. However, its misuse as a tool for guilt and shame risks alienating individuals, moving us away from the core message of the Gospel. Romans 2:4 offers a profound reminder: "It is God’s kindness that is intended to lead us to repentance." This scripture reminds us of the power of God's kindness to lead us to repentance, reinforcing the idea that the true allure of a life in Christ is His unfailing love and grace. However, when used as a vehicle for guilt and shame, it risks alienating the very individuals it seeks to embrace. The message shifts from one of welcome and inclusion to one of judgment and exclusion.

The church is a community founded on redemption, unconditional love, and the opportunity to find purpose. As creators and communicators of this message, we are called to ensure that our content invites and uplifts, reflecting God's kindness and the welcoming heart of the church. Romans 2:4 is not just a verse but a guiding principle, urging us to lead with kindness and to use our creative gifts to inspire and embrace, rather than to alienate or condemn.

As we consider the vast potential of our creative gifts, let us also reflect on the message we are sending through our visual communications. Are we using our talents to cast the side-eye of shame, or are we extending the open, loving invitation of Jesus? The true power of our creativity lies not in its ability to condemn, but in its capacity to welcome, to heal, and to unite.

As we move forward, may our outreach and engagement strategies reflect the richness of the life offered through Jesus. In a culture longing for authenticity and purpose, let's present the message of Christ in a way that is true to its essence—full of hope, free from cynicism, and compelling in its promise of a fulfilled life.

By emphasizing the completeness of the life found in Jesus, this narrative invites a shift away from cynical or manipulative tactics in church communications, advocating for a return to authenticity and the genuine appeal of the Gospel. It's a call to celebrate and communicate the transformative power of a life in Christ, encouraging engagement through the beauty of the message itself.

Thank you, truly, for taking the time to read and to consider these thoughts. This article’s intention is to cause us to pause and to reflect, not to bring shame or condemnation. After all, the mission we are on is too vital for us to be sabotaging ourselves along the way. It’s is truly what we say every day: because your message matters.