Social Media as a Gospel Platform: A Case Study of Apostle Femi Lazarus.
The grasp of social media to achieve personal professional and societal goals are rewarding. It spans different spheres of life, including brand building and marketing, networking and professional development, education and information sharing, health and wellness among others.
A vivid illustration that would describe the importance of social media is the Carbon Cycle.
The first process involves the absorption of carbon dioxide by plants during photosynthesis which is similar to the way you as a user absorb information into your mind, and it's dependent on what you decide to do with it. Next is consumption of content in various formats like reading posts, listening to audio clips or podcasts.
Furthermore, the release of carbon molecules into the atmosphere through the process called Respiration is akin to the dissemination of various inputs across platforms thereby igniting discussions and interactions with others. In the process of rubbing minds together lies
the probability of birthing growth and evolution, creating an endless cycle.
Just as the pivotal role carbon cycle plays in the ecosystem cannot be downplayed, so is the significant influence of social media in granting access to valuable knowledge, fostering relationships between people across different cultural backgrounds.
YouTube as a platform for religious purposes.
Prior to this time, the primary way by which someone could get the recordings of sermons was to buy the messages produced in CD or tapes, and play them in CD players. It was almost as if YouTube was relegated to content creators, travel vloggers, educators and various other types of creators but that took a new turn when organizations and individuals decided to share their
teachings, sermons and discussions to a global audience.
During the lockdown in 2020, when there were restrictions to the physical gathering of people in places of worship, the best alternative was creating videos on sermons which people could watch and listen to regardless of the circumstances. Till date, there are a large number of people who still watch these videos. Now, all you have to do is type in keywords in the search bar, to watch
and listen to religious teachings.
Examples of Christian creators.
Here are a couple of examples of Christian creators.
1. Tolulope Adejumo: Her YouTube name is Tolulope Solutions, and her channel is centered around the Christian faith, womanhood, family and wellness. She also has a mentoring school, where she grooms other Christian women in these areas.
2. Pastor Emmanuel Iren: He's the leader pastor and founder of Celebration Church International. A visionary leader who shares thought-provoking material that would help one to know more about what Jesus Christ has done. His channel covers a range of topics such as marriage, practical Christianity, finances and so on.
This is a testament to the power of the internet in serving as a central platform for sharing religious content and connecting believers worldwide.
A case study of Apostle Femi Lazarus
A short biography
Apostle Femi Lazarus is the lead pastor of Sphere of Light Church which was founded on June 9, 2018. The church has branches in Ife and Moro, Osun State, Ibadan, Oyo State and Abuja. He has the mandate to raise God's end-time armies. Apostle Femi Lazarus is a public health professional by training and the principal of the International School of Ministry, a platform through which he has trained ministers from more than thirty nations. He runs other arms of the ministry, and resides with his family in Abuja.
His influence on social media platforms.
The platforms he uses are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram, YouTube and Tik Tok. Earlier
this year, it felt as though a saviour had appeared because of his timely appearance on social media. It was a wonder, and still is to many people, how the demonstration of wisdom and in-depth understanding of God's words could be embedded in such an individual.
His Posts and engagement.
Apostle FEMI Lazarus has a unique approach to dealing with contemporary issues centered around dealing with pain, the root of bitterness, overcoming debt and gambling addiction, overcoming pornography and a host of others. Listening to his messages would have you hooked to your gadgets as if a drip is being passed through your veins and hitting the right spots. Such an influence!
Above are some of comments from people who have been blessed by his teachings.
Testimonies of attendees of Sphere of Light Church.
I asked two of my friends who attend Sphere of Light Church to share with me their perspecton the effectiveness of the teachings there.
Yemi said: “I would say he teaches so well using his life as an example. He wants you to groall round. He is a real man, and that is what I love most about him.”
Fikayo's testimony:
“ For me, the effectiveness of Apostle Femi Lazarus' teachings is strong because I open up my heart to learning. Those messages are practical. There's also love, transparency and spiritual growth.
From what they said, I could point out that he's a man who is transparent about his life experiences as a moral lesson, guiding others away from straying down the wrong path. Such attribute is that of an authentic leader who is concerned about the growth of the people. The respect and admiration that comes from sharing relatable life experiences is unmatched. It promotes vulnerability without being judged and gives room for improvement all round.
Challenges of using social media as a platform for religious gospels.
Describing the hurdles faced when using social media as a platform for spreading religious gospels are inexhaustible, but few will be discussed.
Criticism and opposition: Where there is abundance of God's words, there would always be people who doubt its efficacy. It is quite predominant in Pentecostal churches, especially the ones that are just springing up. This often leads to debates or conflicts from individuals with
differing beliefs.
A controversial issue caught my attention this evening while scrolling through Instagram.
Ezinne Zara, a YouTube creator, shared a similar experience in one of her vlogs. She described how a company that wished to partner with her, requested that she loosen her locks because it didn't fit the company's image. Sadly, some people still carry the notion that having locks can be a sign of waywardness or being unkempt.
Furthermore, the exploration of his viewpoints also noted that some people would rather adhere to their indoctrinated beliefs than be receptive to others’ perspectives on the issue of clothing for both genders.
It's a standard rule in some churches that under no circumstances should a lady minister wear trousers while ministering. Although the church isn't against women wearing trousers outside the pulpit, those who lack understanding of this measure often criticize it.
As usual, some users disagreed with what he said, while others conformed.
These are some of the comments.
Ultimately, he encouraged focusing on pressing matters instead of deliberating on irrelevant issues. Consequently, this would always lead to debates among people with different views.
Falsehood: There would always be wolves in sheep's clothing whose gain is to enrich their own
pockets, and would even go as far as performing fake miracles in order to draw people's attention to themselves. There's a quote that says, ‘Let all liars be liars, and let God's word be true’. It is essential to have an understanding of God's words for yourself, as this provides a solid foundation from discerning truth from falsehood.
Misinterpretation: Messages can be taken out of context leading to confusion of these teachings. There are individuals who would tailor the word to their personal preferences forgetting that the truth cannot be erased or altered. In addition, failing to understand the broader
context of the Bible texts, and the overall message of the Bible is abated.
Case Study: “ Turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5: 39)
Jesus says, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to the other cheek also.” This can be misinterpreted as being gullies, allowing themselves to be mistreated without taking any form of self-defense. The intended meaning of this teaching promotes the essence of radical love, encouraging individuals to respond to personal insults with a spirit of forgiveness and love instead of seeking revenge.
Case Study: “ Not forsaking the assembly of believers” (Hebrews 10: 25)
Hebrews 10: 25 “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The passage is sometimes used to shame individuals who do not attend church regularly, perceiving it as a sign of backsliding.
However, it would be unjust to come to such a conclusion without reaching out to them and listening to their valid reasons. The focus should be o fostering a supportive community rather than condemning these individuals.
In conclusion, the importance of social media as a gospel platform cannot be overstated. It is your responsibility to make the best use of it by listening to word-based teachings, creating content that positively impacts others, and maintaining respectful interactions with fellow users.
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