Friends, I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on how we stay connected and how we communicate, especially online.
Social media has become one of the main ways we communicate online, yet it is all too easy to interpret someone’s words through the filter of our own assumptions or past hurts, and respond in ways that wound rather than heal. We often reply to the post rather than listen to the person. I’m as guilty as anyone of getting angry and hitting reply in order to justify myself.
While we cannot always have face-to-face conversations online, we can still choose the Way of Love.
As followers of the One who “spoke the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), we commit to doing better together. Let us read generously, always assuming the best intent until proven otherwise. Let us pause before replying, and ask whether our words will build up the Body of Christ.
Before responding, maybe take the time to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words. If possible, reach out to the person directly or comment with grace rather than criticism. Behind every screen is a friend in Christ—someone who Jesus loves.
In a world quick to divide and cancel, perhaps we can be known for patience, humility, and the kind of love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7).
What would it look like for us, in our little corner of the internet, to be known for that kind of love?
On our Diocesan Facebook page, the following social media etiquette guidelines from the Anglican Communion Office have been very helpful. Perhaps you might find them so too.
Community Guidelines: We believe that respectful dialogue enriches us all. Our community includes people from various theological traditions, cultural backgrounds and life experiences.
If you interact or comment with this page, we invite you to follow our community guidelines:
• Be respectful: Treat others as you’d like to be treated. If you disagree, challenge ideas thoughtfully.
• Share your perspective and leave others room to do the same.
• Listen generously: Seek to understand before seeking to be understood. Ask questions with genuine curiosity rather than making assumptions.
• Stay kind: Behind every comment is a real person with their own story, struggles, and sacred convictions. Consider how your comments might impact someone else before posting.
• Be aware of misinformation: Consider or check what gets posted, and if you cite facts, please share a reliable source.
• Please note that: Personal attacks, harassment, hate speech, or content that demeans others based on their identity, beliefs, or background have no place here. Similarly, please keep these pages clear of spam, promotional content and phishing. Unhelpful comments of this nature may be hidden or blocked and reported.
• Thank you for helping make this a welcoming space for all.