The Know Peace Online campaign invites us to approach our digital lives with thoughtfulness, empathy, and integrity. Every post we make—whether it’s a comment, a video, or a meme—has a ripple effect. This week, we focus on the importance of intention: “Know Your Goal.” Before you hit send on a post, take a moment to ask yourself: “Why am I sharing this, and what impact do I hope it will have?”
In preaching class [mumbles] years ago, I was taught that every sermon starts with a purpose. In fact, every sermon began with one of three purposes:
- To teach the congregation something
- To convince them of something, that is, to bring them to believe something they may have believed before, or;
- To persuade them of something, that is, to bring them to a belief that would change their behavior.
In the years since, I’ve found that sermons can have other purposes than these three, but to this day, I ask myself the question, “What do I intend to teach, convince, or persuade the congregation with these words?” before I start writing them. Knowing my purpose hardly guarantees success — I’ve had parishioners congratulate me on saying exactly the opposite of what I thought I’d said — but it helps.
Social media posts have a wildly greater number of potential purposes. Just today, my brother posted a picture of something that he believed (and I agreed) our father would have enjoyed. He couldn’t remember if Dad had had one, but thought not. I replied that I didn’t remember it either, but I also shared a memory of things that were similar enough to know he’d have loved it.
It’s a pretty innocuous interaction, all things considered. He wanted to check a memory, but also to enjoy a couple of our Dad’s enthusiasms with me. I wanted to tell him that we shared the blessings of those memories.
On another day, I might post with the goal of amusing someone. On another day, I might post with the goal of raising awareness of a problem. On another day, I might post with the goal of lifting spirits. On another day, I might post because, let’s face it, I’m proud of some of the things I create, and I’m looking for affirmation. On another day, I might post with the goal of changing opinions or actions.
How I post changes with each of these and countless other potential purposes.
I desperately hope that I compose these posts with the purpose in mind. If I’m trying to amuse, well, it had better be funny. Too many people say harmful and offensive things and follow it with, “It’s just a joke,” as if that’s a reason to say it. It’s not. Harmful and offensive isn’t funny.
If I’m trying to educate, it had better be accurate. I’ve lost count of the number of posts I’ve seen and wanted to share, because they matched my world view or confirmed my opinion. I’ve also lost count of the number of posts I’ve refrained from re-posting because I simply didn’t know it was true, or couldn’t verify it was true, or discovered that it wasn’t true. The world may be entitled to my opinions (I am a preacher, after all), but my opinions should be buttressed with truth, not falsehoods.
If I’m trying to persuade, it had better open discussion rather than shut it down. What point is there in closing minds? I want them to move, not anchor. Even when I’m angry – especially when I’m angry – I can’t afford to lose touch with the ongoing relationships I have with people in these spaces. Persuasion will not happen with a single social media post. It takes time and it takes trust that I could throw away with rage-filled invective.
It could also cut me off from those posts of comfort and memory that are social media’s promise of strength.
The Rev. Eric S. Anderson is a member of the board at UCC Media Justice and pastor of Church of the Holy Cross UCC in Hilo, Hawai’i. He blogs at ordainedgeek.com. Join Eric in taking the Know Peace Online pledge today.