Vol. IV, Iss. 7 - September 2006
The latest from Student Leadership University

I have in large measure not focused an edition of the Edge on MySpace and all its cousins because one thing I never desire to be is typical. Oftentimes when something permeates the culture so deeply as MySpace has, an onslaught of anti-latest social phenomena finds its way into numerous sermons and publications. It almost appears to be a vicious cycle where disciples are defined by what they abstain from rather than anything else. So how should a leader approach this debate?

First let us look at what this craze is all about. “MySpace is a social networking website based in Santa Monica, California offering an interactive network of blogs, user profiles, groups, photos, and an internal e-mail system.”[1] Basically MySpace affords everyone the opportunity to have their own website and interact with a community of other websites. In fact, as of May 2006, Alexa Internet cites that it is the world’s fourth most popular English-language website and the fifth most popular in the world.[2] As of the September 18^th publication of U.S. News and World Report, there are more than 100 million profiles, with 230,000 new members signing up every day.[3] To say that this new phenomenon is a part of pop culture may be the biggest understatement of the year. Certainly this trend does not come without its dangers and challenges. For example, a student could be exposed to certain ideas that misrepresent a Christian worldview and offer opportunities to fantasize about an experience that may not have even appeared on the radar screen otherwise. The argument could certainly be made that around ever corner is temptation of the crafty harlot of Proverbs 7 and an unsuspecting youth could take the path to her house. And, of course, the potential danger that probably strikes more fear in our hearts than any other is that of online predators looking to interact and lure young men and women to a place where they can act on their most depraved and perverted fantasies. 

But what does this mean for the Christian and more specifically for one who has accepted the great privilege of being an influencer? From my introductory comments you can probably assume that the very real dangers and temptations should not lead to the immediate conclusion of not venturing into the online world of blogging. Temptation of every kind is not new with MySpace and unfortunately sexual predators have proven in recent days they will go to any lengths by grabbing young women in mall parking lots, car washes and even going as far as stalking and going into the inner sanctuary of someone’s home to grab a child or teenager. The world we live in is broken which calls for an even more proactive approach to soaring. Notice I said soaring, not just surviving. Remember the point is not to endure until Christ comes again and calls us home but rather to live victoriously now. When dealing with this particular issue, as with any, the ability to ask the right questions, questions based on Scripture, is the only hope for coming to the right conclusions.  The following are a few of those questions that will help us to begin to see MySpace through the grid of Scripture:

1. Will having a MySpace account have a positive spiritual impact on self (1Corinthians 6:12, 10:23-24)? Dr. Daniel Akin offers three smaller questions to help answer whether or not a decision will have a positive spiritual impact on a believer’s life. First, “Will it build me up?” Second, “Will it profit me?” And third, “Will it help me personally?"
2. Will MySpace addict or enslave (1Corinthians 6:12)? Don’t laugh or dismiss this question too quickly!  Have you ever made this statement: “I have to check my MySpace!?”  Can you go a day without viewing the most recent comments posted?  Even good things can become bad when we enslave ourselves to them.  Be conscious of how much time you dedicate to your account.
3. Will having a MySpace account have a positive spiritual impact on fellow believers (Romans 14:19, 1Corinthians 10:23-24, Galatians 6:1-10)? The leader always does “and then some…” (Genesis 24:10-28).  In other words, don’t just ask the question of how will a decision affect me but how will it affect others?  Paul weaves “serving others and not pleasing self” all throughout his epistles and so many of his exhortations have to do with a proactive approach to serving and building up another brother spiritually.
4. Does having a MySpace account go against conscience (Romans 14:14)? You may about this time be wondering, “When is he going to tell us if it is right or wrong to be on MySpace?” The answer is yes.  Now before I get accused of being a little latte boy who can’t make up his mind, keep the words of Paul in mind when he says, I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. The point is come to your own conclusion or as Paul has said elsewhere, let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
5. Will being on MySpace disrupt fellowship and damage relationships within the community (Romans 14:15)? Do not allow such things that are morally indifferent to damage the fellowship within a community. Freedom is fueled by love and has love as its main mode of action. Without love there can be no fellowship; without love there are only broken relationships. Allow love to be the motivation behind every decision, and when that is the case fellowship will stay intact and relationships will only grow and mature.
6. Will being on MySpace glorify God (1Corinthians 10:31); will it make a big deal about Jesus (Galatians 6:11-16)? If this question makes no sense to you then your view of Christianity is probably a lot like mine was for many years—a life that can be neatly compartmentalized without one room spilling over into another. Life is anything but neat and any compartmentalization is fooling no one but you. Becoming a disciple is engaging the movement of Christianity with all of oneself. Then how do you glorify God and make a big deal about Jesus on MySpace, that being if your decision is to have a blog site? Make sure that you demonstrate that the things that matter to you are the things that matter to God. Qualities like community, service and worship. In other words, in all places and at all times think Christianly, talk Christianly, act Christianly and yes, even MySpace Christianly.

While I like other sites like Facebook and Friendster, I will admit that MySpace has managed to keep its edge above the others. In a way that others can't, it links people with the surrounding culture and keeps them in touch with news, blogs, music, videos, upcoming events in your area, classifieds, interest groups, and even comedy! In fact, a recent news article reported that more and more people are beginning to use MySpace as their one-stop shop for entertainment: if they want to laugh, they'll go watch a few comedy clips, if they want to find out what's going on in their area, they'll take a look at upcoming events, if they want to see which friends are having birthdays soon, they'll go to MySpace, if they want to rant, rave, or complain about life, well, you get the drift. Certainly, plenty of security/privacy issues loom large, but too many people have managed to write off MySpace. I'll admit, I have made a few of my closest friends through MySpace, I have found old ones and re-connected with them, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to connect with people and to think about critical issues through blogging. If you want to get the pulse of the people, there's no better way than to immerse yourself in the language, culture, and information of the people.

I'll never forget a conversation I overheard on an airplane between two mothers. One said to the other - "Can you believe all of this MySpace junk? As soon as I get home, I'm disconnecting our internet so that my daughter will never be able to log on to that site." The other mother simply replied, "Well I used to have those same thoughts, but I decided to let my daughter use it, within reason, of course. She won't encounter anything there that she won't encounter in real life, and I want to have those discussions with her while I still can." I admire the desire to protect and shelter our youth. However, I believe the MySpace experience can lead to some wonderfully rich discussions about life, relationships, friendships, and worldview that I would also like to have with others while I can, instead of sweeping those issues under the rug and pretending that our  youth will never encounter those issues or will not learn and grow from their experiences online.

What do you think about MySpace? Thumbs up or down? Security and privacy issues? What are some of its faults that you have seen? Or some of its good points? E-mail us and give us your opinion on the ethics of MySpace! 

My name is Elisa P. and I have been involved with Student Leadership for three years now going on four.  Words can not even begin to express the type of changes SLU has made in my life.  I have gone from being a Christian who was content and satisfied with all they knew to being a Christian who is always eager to learn more.  Through my lessons learned and knowledge acquired at SLU, I have been able to see what God wants for my future.  I know His plans are great for me and I can't wait to see what He has in store.  Dr. Strack and his family have made an eternal impact on my life, as well as many of the other leaders who have taken part in student leadership 101, 201, and 301.  SLU has taught me many lessons and I am very eager to take part in another year of Student Leadership University and next summer head off to Rome for SLU 401.

Elisa P. is a graduate of SLU. Every month, we feature the story of an SLU graduate whose life has been impacted by SLU in significant ways. Have an SLU story? Send it to us at edge@studentleadership.net