Worship Leader Addicted To Drugs....

Greetings!

I'm sitting writing this during the LifeWork2.0 Blogging conference I"m attending here in Franklin TN today. I love multi-tasking so I'm (as usual) doing two things at once and listening to the seminar and writing a blog simultaneously!!

Lots of talk has gone on about "Twitter" at this conference today. Have you checked it out? I thought I'd focus todays blog on Twitter in case you haven't got into it yet! If you are wondering what the crazy title of this Blog is all about, it's simply that I am now a worship leader addicted to the (good) drugs of....technology!! I'm totally hooked on both Blogging and Twitter! "WHY???" you may ask!

Well, it's because we can create community that reaches across miles, nations, cultures and ages, via the internet. This is the first era when people from all across the globe can be in touch via laptops and cell phones, inspiring each other to follow Jesus and to support each other in prayer.

Some of these Social Networking tools may seem a bit gimmicky, but for us as Christians we can use these to build strong community around us and share life and faith with people around the world. I love that through Twitter.com I can shoot out a text saying "about to go on stage to play. Please pray for me!" and that message shows up as a message or text on my subscribers laptops or cell phones. Amazing!

My Twitter messages show up in the right hand column of this Blogsite, but if you want them to come to your cell phone, or if you want to be able to send Twitter Messages to me, go to my Twitter page http://twitter.com/vickybeeching . First sign up for your own Twitter account (free) then visit my page and click "follow".

This is what it looks like!

See you on Twitter! Sign up to follow me, then you can send texts to my cell phone!

Two questions for ya...

"Are you twittering?"

"What do you think of all the rising technology of social networking sites like Blogs, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter. There's a lot of trash on them - does the bad outweigh the good, or do we need to be light in the darkness?"

Love,

Vicky

Comments

[Lucy Geale]

im not as much of an addict as you vicks, but i do see what you're saying. its great to keep up to date and see where people are and how they are doing. and its a great way to share jesus message and challenge each other in our day to day walk with him. but nothing beats a good cup of tea (earl grey if poss!) and a face to face chat :)
not been on twitter. i dont know if id actually keep on with it. i like to read yours though!
it was a beautiful, hot, sunny day in england today. i suppose it was sunny in franklin but england dosnt get as much sun so when its out i like to boast :) not that i could get out in it though, been working. started a new job on thursday which god amazingly opened the door to. but had tea in the garden when i got home with mum, dad and my sister. even had a chance to wash my car! and the bluebells are all out at the moment too :)
love to a british girl from a british girl xx

[Bridget Willard]

For me, in an isolating job, having my blog friends, tweets, and facebook as well as regular email helps keep me connected to the Body of Christ, learn new songs, fellowship, etc.

I love it.

[Heather]

I love twitter! its so fun and great to keep up with friends who live out of town and even ones that live in town. Twitter makes it so... *checks phone because i just got a text from twitter* ...easy to stay in contact. Actually all of the new social networking sites are great to stay in contact with friends and family. RIght now i have a cousin in africa in the military and facebook does wonders to help us stay in contact. Even with the bad on these sites i think we can be the light in the midst of it all.

[laura]

answer to question numero uno...
yes i'm twittering to an extent.....
i have no one following me
and i'm following only you.
i haven't had the time to really sit down and start figuring twitter out completely.
so....
follow me so you can get my mini blogs!

question number two...
i think, in regards to myspace and all the other sites out there, we as Christians need to be careful with what we post. I've caught myself a couple times with posting stuff on my myspace that might not necessarily be "bad" but is it exemplfying Christ? We definately need to be a light to the darkness. We are all this world has to show them Jesus.

[Nathan]

I am twittering! It's awesome. All my friends are on it. Sorry if you've been getting some one sided conversations from me. :)

I actually have been twittering so much that I sent a text directly to my friend today and started it with @his name.

As for all the sites up now, I think we as Christians need to boldly advance into every territory we can. If we withdraw to our own little worlds how can we have any chance of impacting the world for Christ. Yes, I believe the best impact happens in our direct surroundings (so me forming relationships with my Starbucks barista is important, and the guys at the motorcycle shop), but why not impact them on every frontier? I'm about redeeming the things of the world for the glory of God, not just letting them go as a lost cause.

[Chad Jarnagin]

you know it.

www.twitter.com/theblogstar

[nathan gaddis]

I can't stop. It is actually hurting my blogging, because I now twitter to much. After today's conference, I need to change that...but Twitter is awesome!

www.twitter.com/gaddis

[Rich Kirkpatrick]

My name is Rich and I am a techno-addict worship leader!

I think social networking should be owned by us Christians... our whole business is about people, so it seems like we should be there. Twitter is just fun, too.

www.twitter.com/rkweblog

[Mark Jaffrey]

Totally in sync with my cre:ate friends @theblogstar, @gaddis and @rkweblog.

Most of the time I feel pretty isolated here in Egypt - there are no other worship leaders to hang out with or even call up, and so twitter lets me feel a part of the bigger community, along with the blogs of course. In the last week I've also been contacted by two blast from the past old friends through twitter - how cool is that?

www.twitter.com/markjaffrey

[jessica monte]

I think that the Internet expands our vision in general, as the world is big and beautiful. sabre that there are people like you who go through their same situations that you identify with them even speaking another language who live in places you never dreamed in knowing or ever dreamed in knowing in your parents or another is very good! !
emquanto the garbage we have to control the mouse to choose the best. The Internet is a blessing for me!

www.twitter.com/jessicamonte

[Jonathan]

Vicky,

It was sooo great to see you at LifeWork 2.0 and hang for a bit at lunch! Sorry you couldn't join the dinner crew, but I know you've got a few long days ahead.

So far as these sorts of sites go, I've wondered the same thing myself, particularly about MySpace. Some of the ads there seem especially raunchy (and since the ads are targeted, I think this is especially the case for single guys who sign in). I've wondered more than once if I should ever do anything that has the effect of promoting a place like that. I've never really questioned connecting with people who are already on MySpace, but I have wondered about the wisdom of encouraging people to join.

FaceBook ads can be a little crummy, but I don't think quite as bad as MySpace has been, but this might be changing (and not favorably for Facebook). Twitter's great as it doesn't (currently) have ads. :o)

[Rebecca]

I think God wants technology to be used for His glory

[Meghan]

I may get thrown out of this blog for saying this, but I don't even know what twitter is! I do blog a little, and I love the community it can create.
There are sinful, adn horrifying things people use the internet for, and criminal activities are virtually untracable. But God uses everything to His glory eventually.
I truely believe that in the end days when church is illegal, bibles are banned, and new Christians have no way of reading the scriptures first had, the internet will be our main way of communicating, as well as reading the bible. The internet is too big to police. I creates horrible senarios of child pornography, terrorist links, and many I am sure we are blissfully unaware of.
But it is also a perfect place for persecuted Christians to come and give each other strength and encouragement, without being easiy detected. There are sites that have the entire bible available, devotions, bible teachers...

Yes I think it is important for Christians to be online spreading Christ, and I think when evil is given reign over this land it will be a vital tool to all Christians.

[Bubby Coale]

I believe that the internet is so awesome. It just gives me a glimpse of the power of God. He is still much more knowledgeable than this here laptop and the connections it can reach. And he knows everyone who comes here too. But it is so cool that he is using this technology to further his kingdom at such a much more excellarated pace. So much more info can be found much faster. It is truly a blessing in so many ways. As to the bad. i see more bad out on the streets and on my job. I have to do the same out there turn away or flee or just pray. But we have to go out into the world and reach those who we would never have a chance any other way. I wish I had more time to learn more about all of it. But in time I will. But as for now I use it and enjoy it. I use Myspace to keep up with all the concerts and festivals. I travel to see the shows. So it is very cool to get to keep up with what my fav. artists are up too. and Keep them in prayer for what they are facing as they do. I look forward to the day when we will all be heaven, to get to know each other, and be with our Father and our Lord. But for now, this is great. God bless and looks like i will get to see you in july. Take care..Bubby

[Jking]

Following your twitter...now waiting for you to follow mine!! hahaha

[James]

I'm a twitterer and an @vickybeeching follower:

twitter.com/englishguy

Out of all the social networking sites, I use only Facebook, since it provides the most options for controlling what you see and who sees you.

BUT I like your 'light in the darkness' option. Sure, there's some poisonous stuff going on, but a little salt and a little light can destroy darkness.

So...when are you coming on the REVEAL podcast, @vickybeeching?

[Pete Wilson]

Love it...I'm a pastor addicted to drugs.

[Pete Wilson]

Love it...I'm a pastor addicted to drugs.

[David Miles]

I just started Twittering and I can see that this will become a very addicting medium for staying connected.

[David Miles]

I just started Twittering and I can see that this will become a very addicting medium for staying connected.

[Jessica]

yes i twitter...

www.twitter.com/chick_guitarist

sadly no one is following me except my sisters i think lol... and we live in the same house... so... its in one respect pointless hahaha...

so if anyone wants to follow me feel free to add me... hmm... that sounded kinda funny...

i believe that we, as Christians need to be lights in the darkness... for if there is no light... the dark will only get darker ;)

and yes, i do am a techie addict & worship leader :D and in addition to leading worship, and writing songs, i also love to make loops of my pastors preaching :D check it out at:

www.myspace.com/bridgefellowshipdfw