“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4
What a blessing it is to be allowed to walk in your purpose! I thank the Good LORD for blessing me to be able to do just that with the publication of my recent book SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY Sharing the Gospel In The Digital Age (available at Amazon.com).
For someone who loves writing and sharing the gospel, the book has been a dream project. In fact, it is has been no less than a “dream come true”!
The idea for the book developed while writing this very blog, Faith Based Media, 2.0 (FBM 2.0), an exploration of ministry, social media, and technology. The book can actually be viewed as an extension of FBM 2.0 and vice versa!
Social media burst on the scene in 2004 with the rise of Facebook in Silicon Valley, CA. It accelerated in 2005 with the advent of YouTube, followed by Twitter in 2006. While observing these developments, it became increasingly clear that this new media revolution had great potential for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not only locally, but globally, as well! So, FBM 2.0 was established to begin a conversation around how to harness digital technology for helping to build the Kingdom.
The process of writing SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY was equal parts research, writing, and editing, also known to many writers as “blood, sweat, and tears.” It involved many nights of burning the midnight oil, and pulling more than a few all nighters, especially as the publication deadline neared! In addition, it included much prayer! Yet, I have to admit it was a labor of love. Why? I was finally doing something I was born to do!
For six months, a laptop and notepad were kept handy at the side of my bed to capture thoughts and ideas that seemed to prefer to wander in either just before going to sleep at night, or on waking up first thing in the morning!
Then something kind of amazing happened. It was just as I was completing this book featuring “social networking”, that Columbia Pictures released the hit motion picture, The Social Network. You’ve got to be kidding me!
My book was published in November 2010, while the movie was being viewed by millions in theatres across the nation and around the world. The Social Network would go on to win a number of Golden Globe and Academy Awards for 2010! Was this just a coincidence? It felt more like a confirmation of my work over the past twelve months!
I thank God for the inspiration to pen SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY Sharing The Gospel In The Digital Age, and for all the incredible people who have encouraged me along the way. Without your prayers and support this book would not have been possible! You are the very best! But, ultimately, all credit goes to God for the Great Things He has done!
SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY is available on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iBooks, and on your computer with iTunes! It is also available as an e-book for immediate download (pdf format) at Lulu.com. Look for future installments of “Book Bonus” in upcoming posts on this blog!
Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!
Stay Blessed!
Kenneth Lillard
FAITH BASED MEDIA 2.0 