Kraig Lowell Pullam

My Thoughts on Pastor’s & Social Media

Note: This started as an intentional one-paragraph post for my friends on social media; and turned into not only a word to them; but my thoughts on pastor’s and social media.

The Holy Spirit prompted me last year around this time to do what I am doing now on social media…but I didn’t do it. I just made the change, but made no announcements; and I know that some of my friends noticed the change…with some calling me on it. Here it goes.

I love social media for what it is. It allows me the opportunity to connect with family and friends from afar; and share in laughs, jokes and even events of which I am unable to be apart of, without feeling excluded. Those who know me can attest – I’ve pretty much always been popular; but private in many respects. But something has changed for me over the past couple of years – MY MISSION HAS INTENSIFIED. Now if you know me…you know that I enjoy life. But while my communication, over the years…has become much greater in terms of personal interactions, especially with the people I pastor, getting better with my closest friends, fellow pastors and the like – I’m beginning to see that I CANNOT keep up with all of the group Facebook messages, the “If you really do love me or Jesus, send this message back to me and 4 other people you love” messages, and even group texts and the like. At times, when not responding, people may say “Oh…you’re the pastor of Shiloh now” or “You’re too big now…” Hence, one of the reasons now I know the Holy Spirit was leading me to do this last year…before Shiloh or anything now was even apart of the equation. With or without Shiloh, Mt. Salem or any one thing in particular…my life is about ministry; and more than spending my life on a phone, trying to see what is happening on social media. Now, don’t get me wrong….people who jump to the extreme of saying Pastor’s or Ministers should not be on social media are quite naive. It is a very powerful medium. But I have to use discretion (as I ALWAYS have) as it relates to how I use my time interacting with others on social media. Therefore….when I go LIVE, it is for a purpose… When I am not responding to group or individual messages, I’m probably ministering to my family or the members I pastor. When I am lol’ing or posting something funny on social media…that is even intentional – to provide me an outlet as a Pastor to vent, breath or enjoy people. That is it – I LOVE people. Some things I am just not going to do. I will never like game requests(🙄) or group messages or group texts. That’s not me. But if you need prayer, biblical counsel or even correction, I am here for you. I hope and pray that we see Facebook and other social media outlets for what they are – an opportunity to be SOCIAL, when we WANT to be social. Also note…there are parts and facets to a Pastor’s life (nothing sinful) that everyone just doesn’t need to see or can’t even handle seeing. I agree with my friend H.B. Charles, Jr. who says that “…people don’t need to be reminded that their Pastor is human. They need to be reminded that he is holy.”(Paraphrase)  I concur and strongly agree! The fact is – if we live long enough, the people will eventually receive the reminder that we are, in fact, human beings….just as are they. 

Let me note once more: I’m not AGAINST social media. Can you imagine what Jesus and the Disciples could’ve done with social media? Wow!  After word of mouth, it is the least expensive form of advertisement. But also beware…social media (if you haven’t noticed) leaves a lot of room for misinterpretation, mess, messy individuals, legal ramifications and the like). You can find some great examples in ministry of Spiritual Leaders who are using social media to impact the world for good. I cannot provide a list here; but my aforementioned friend is a place to start. 

I intended this to be a short Facebook post; but I suppose this has mutated into a blog. So while I am here, I would suggest that, while I’m no pastor to other pastors…I would commend us to watch what we expose to others. I get it. People want transparency. People desire their leader and the minister to be vulnerable. And while there are many laypeople who would read my blog and strongly suggest otherwise…I suggest to the pastor that they proceed in this area with caution. This may be true with many; but some cannot handle the pressure of learning their Shepherd BLEEDS. So since I am already sounding like that old pastor we young preachers struggled to listen to at the table…and we only tolerated listening to him because he was paying the bill… let me go a step further. Be careful about what you communicate on social media. Maybe I am old school; but a preacher shouldn’t be using curse words, or even hashtags or letters that obviously equate to a bad word, on social media. Example:sm#h or the like. I would advise that any given pastor does not display so much of their lives or activity on social media. Get this – God blesses you.  Don’t apologize for him doing so.  But just be careful and cautious. I honestly believe it is good to ‘Go live’ with a purpose and when we have a message. I actually would like to go live even more… but i want to make sure I’m not displaying anything vain. My wife and I like to travel occasionally. My concern is – how much of that should be displayed on social media? How many of our members are struggling to make ends meet, who cannot afford or are even in good enough health to go to Disney or take a trip to a beach? Where we go is not the point. My prayer is that we are sensitive to our flock; and those with whom surround our flock. Now….there are certain things for which I have no control over. I absolutely love my new Pastoral office. It actually looks better in person than on video or picture. It’s not as extravagant as many, but is is more than anything I had before. And I’m grateful. I will not apologize when I display what goes on at Shiloh or when I go live. Why? Because I am boasting in the Lord, what God has given Shiloh and the labor of my predecessor. And…the fact is, that’s Shiloh’s property, not mine! I am just simply suggesting that we be very careful. 

I don’t even have to tell you there are enemies of yours who are looking for just one thing to use against you. 

Now….I’ve always been the kind of person (because of older brothers) who didn’t have to go through something to pick up warning signs, take precautions or go in another direction. I haven’t had to deal with issues I am certain many pastor’s have dealt with regarding stalkers, people with wrong intentions, hackers and the like. The Lord has blessed me! Also….I “keep to myself”.  I am a social butterfly like my mother; but I know how to let people go so far, like my father. Boy, has this blessed me. Have people hurt me in LIFE? Of course, I’m a pastor and I love people; and sheep BITE. But I dare not equate social media people with my “life” people. My family, friends and the people I pastor know where to find me, how to get a hold of me and I know their intentions; and they know mine. But I must be honest….I don’t personally know my 4100 plus Facebook friends. I am certain there’s atleast a few who don’t have God’s business in mind. 

I hope to possibly share this in a live video in the near future; for those who need clarity. Again…I am not a counselor or teacher to pastor’s. I’m just a fellow-traveler. I hope and pray this is helpful; and hopefully you will do what the Lord leads you to do. I will post this to my blog, rather than as a Facebook post. Prayerfully you will see how this blog is different in the sense it was never intended to be that, but hopefully helpful. Again, I will try to follow up with a live video to share my thoughts concerning this. I welcome your thoughts.