TwitterO brave new religious world. Today’s New York Times has a quick article on a few of the realities of congregations using Twitter and Facebook: Lead Us to Tweet, and Forgive the Trespassers.

Here’s a sampling:

  • “The anxieties are different for every group. Some Muslim clerics have told followers to avoid making statements on social networking sites that antiterrorist investigators might misinterpret as suspicious.”
  • “[S]ome in the clergy see a basic tension between the anonymous world of online life and the meaning of religious community.”
  • “‘In Judaism, we believe that God resides in the community — among people in the same room at the same time, hearing each other’s voices and looking in each other’s eyes,’ said Rabbi Gerald C. Skolnik of the Forest Hills Jewish Center in Queens, who also wanted it known that he carries an iPhone and a laptop and is talking with his congregation about a Facebook page. ‘But can you tweet a minyan?’ he asked, referring to the quorum of 10 people required for most Jewish devotions. ‘I don’t think so.’”

It also mentions the Rev. Bill Reichart, a Presbyterian in Atlanta and an acknowledged leader in this area.  I googled a little, and sure enough, found his terrific blog that’s full of tips and insights for those of us interested in faith and the Web, particularly 2.0-inclined ministers: Ministry Best Practices. From a quick foray, here are a few of the posts I found.

What fun it is to be back, exploring such delightful e-avenues.

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