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SOCIAL NETWORKS

Issue #46 - February 2016

They are referred to as Social Networks. But how social are these
networks? Alex helps us find out.

Alex Ngabonziza
Alex Gift Ngabonziza came to the
Lord in 1996. Him and his entire
family are now committed to the
ministry of the Saturday Worship
Service at Kampala Baptist Church.
He is married to Benigne Ingabire
Ngabonziza and the Lord has blessed
them
with
one
daughter:
Aliza Hazel Ishyitsa.
They stay in Naluvule on Hoima road
and serve the Lord through Smile
Charity Uganda, a local NGO.
1. Are you on any social media platform?
Yes. I am on about five of them: Facebook, Whatsapp, Linked In, Viber and MSN
messenger.
2. How much time do you spend on those platforms?
If I add up the pockets of time I spend on each of these networks through the day, I
would say one and a half hours. I usually check my messages during tea or coffee breaks
and later in the evening at home.

point someone to go to and say You know what, I was on this site and I actually
messed up. I am not sure about the ladies but for men I am sure that these networks
are very addictive and we are vulnerable. At least I can speak for myself that it is a
daily battle.
But on the whole, I think social media is not bad.
I would, therefore, tell anyone who wants to join to dig in. Its like swimming in a
lake. It comes with risks of many diseases and being eaten by, say, a crocodile, but
swimming itself is not bad. For parents, I would say guard your child as much as you
can. If possible seek support from other parents.
In your work with the church, have you seen a place for social networks in fulfilling the Great Commission?
I would say it has a very small place; on a scale of 1 to 10, I would put it at 1 even
looking at social networks in a bigger and broader sense to include radio networks,
television stations, web radio stations, etc.
In all honesty, when you read the scriptures, the mandate there does not say POST,
it says GO.
There is something special about the physical presence. When Mary met Elizabeth in
the Bible, in the presence of each other, the baby in Elizabeths womb leaped. Social

the Great Commission is a go

and not a post

networks only stop in the thoughts and actually isolate the mind from the presence.
3. From personal experience, do you think social media has made us generally more
That is why today you can find people naming people they have never met like Joyce
sociable?
Meyer and Benny Hinn as their mentors.
I would actually say that whoever named those networks social simply sugar coated
But the magic is in the presence. In Peters presence, when he spoke, despite his lack
them social but they are totally isolation networks.
of formal education, three thousand people came to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I once was somewhere for a cup of coffee with my wife and we watched a couple seated
together with each one buried in their phone. All they shared was a bowl of chocolate. Yes, you can post a verse of encouragement, or a testimony, but when I meet
One could tell they were married because they had rings on but there was no connection someone in person, that moment is worth more than a thousand emails of
or fellowship at all. So I believe these networks are really isolation networks: people are encouragement. If you are to pray with me, you cannot do so over a social network;
isolated from family because they are so busy discussing with other people and they are you have to come and pray with me. For us to impact people, we must go beyond the
also isolated from fellowship because even during sermon time they are busy on their social networks because the Great Commission is a go and not a post. Do not give
phones. That is why, personally, on my phone I have muted all the sounds from social up on the habit of meeting together.
media applications lest they keep taking my attention. I only check them when I must.
Social networks have even caused trouble in my own home. Someone once engaged me
after work requiring an urgent response. My wife had to remind me, Put the phone
down because we are now home. Your work time has ended. I wanted to tell her that
what I was dealing with was important but I also realised that she was right. And this
being carried away by these isolation networks has not happened only once or twice.
But you havent closed any of your social media accounts?
No. And frankly I do feel so guilty about it sometimes. I realise that I spend more time
on these networks than I invest in my relationships with the Lord and His people.
What would you say to someone who is not sure whether to sign up or not on any
social network?
It is complicated. How will you know it is bad until youve got your fingers burnt?
Especially in church where we have got a lot of dos and donts and oughts, the question
is, are you going to be anyones judge or are you going to motivate the individuals
judgement when it comes to social networks?
My question to the person who wants to sign up would be why do you want to join? And
maybe they will say they want to do online marketing. Then I will ask them, Are you
sure its only marketing? If it is only marketing, then go for it. But trust me you will look
for more because social media leads us into other things for example pornography,
inappropriate language, etc. And one thing will always lead to another. You need to be
honest with yourself before signing up.
That is why everyone on any social network needs to have an accountability
Drop us an email at kbcmediateam@gmail.com

Alex with his wife Benigne

For the full interview visit : www.kampalabaptist.blog.com

The KEY RING is a monthly publication by the Kampala Baptist Church Media
Team that seeks to provide an avenue where men and women can share
knowledge and understanding of the word of God, experiences and
encourage one another as the older perform the act of paralambano to the
younger.
Our prayer is that the Lord will speak to you through this publication.
Visit the church website at www.kbcuganda.org