You don’t want the Old Facebook! And here’s why.
I’d like to share with you why joining a group on Facebook called “I want the old Facebook” is worthless and probably not really what you want.
When I joined Facebook about a year and a half ago, I loved learning the new social media world, and all the features that Facebook had. It was great! Then a few months into it, just as more people were connecting on Facebook and leaving My Space, they changed the entire format. They moved this here and that there, and I was all confused, but over time I was able to learn the new format. Many people who have joined Facebook in the last year don’t know the present “Old facebook” as the one time “New Facebook” about 9 months ago.
So this month Facebook unravels a new format, and let’s be honest, it’s very twitter like. And now we have to do things like:
Get to know new formats.
Search around for the new way of doing things.
Learn new tricks to make communication easier for all of us.
But even though ultimately, the new facebook will make things easier (trust me, this is not up for debate), we fight it because we have to learn new ways to communicate and new ways of networking that we didn’t have to before. And we’ll make groups called, “I freakin want the old Facebook back, because it was my best friend”, and a few people will join those groups, but ultimately those groups will fail and the new Facebook will remain, and probably be changed in about 9 months or sooner.
Facebook doesn’t make these changes because they hate you. They make these changes because they believe that in the long run, the changes will make it easier for everyone to connect. And that’s the point of Facebook. If they didn’t change, they would become My Space someday, and everyone would be leaving by the masses to the new social media thing, all because they didn’t change for the better.
If you don’t believe me, please go to your nearest “almost dead” church. I don’t mean to be offensive, but somewhere near you is an “almost dead” church that at one point was alive and thriving. The people there will tell you abou the good old days when people were coming and lives were being changed. Then something happened. Times were changing, and decisions were being made. Should we change or not?
And the people that don’t like change will say something like this:
I don’t know anyone anymore. (Why don’t you meet someone now?)
I don’t understand this new way. What was wrong with the way we used to do things? (Ummm, nothing…30 years ago)
I’m gonna do things the way I’ve always done them. (then you’ll continue to get what you’ve most recently gotten, ha!)
And if the church is alive and well or “almost dead”, tells me whether the “old side” or the “new side” won out.
Please understand, I’m not just talking about music and coolness here. I’m simply talking about relevance. If someone stands on stage and drones on and on about whatever, without connecting with the people he’s talking to, and the people are just there because it’s church, and the “right thing to do is be in church”, it’s over.
And if a church has a service on Sunday because “that’s the way we’ve always done it and the way it should be done” without having a valid point for that service, it’s over.
Sometimes new is really hard to do, but who said hard to do was wrong? If you like Facebook, it gives you a chance to learn it better. If you like the church, and they do something new, you’ll get a chance to meet new people and pour into their lives.
Go New Facebook! I’m cheering for you to win!
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Nice!
good stuff
“the people are just there because it’s church, and the “right thing to do is be in church”, it’s over.”
I completely agree with the points you made regarding the church.
While I like the changes made to facebook I can see the frustration with the change. As you said 9 months ago they changed it all up and just as people people were starting to get used to it they ripped it away for another overhaul. I think had they skipped the “new/old” face book and just went to this change people would still complain but I would be more inclined to tell them to quit whining.
Marty,
As far as church, I am for any change prompted by the Holy Spirit yet backed by God’s Word and proper doctrine. 
I get it. Yes I know all you say is true, the human nature part likes to have things the same so that I don’t have to step out of my comfort zone. I also know that in comfort is not growth. Thanks for the reminder. I am getting used to the change on facebook.
Diana
Billy, I would argue that Facebook had to make the changes because if they had waited, there would have been significantly more people who would have complained later on, also making a big problem. When you see something that needs to be changed, the time to do it is now.
Diana, thanks for commenting on my blog. It’s been a while, probably 16 years at least. Some good points you made about the church.
AMEN brother (or should that be pastor)!
I don’t actually like the new facebook but I’ve been on it and tolerated the changes (and been mostly ambivalent to them) over the years. This “new look” I dislike.
However, I can see (slowly) what they’re trying to do so I’ll go along for the ride. If it doesn’t suit me I’ll leave, but at least I’ll give it a go.
I feel much the same way about new things/approaches in church. If I don’t like it I’ll at least give it a chance before throwing out the baby with the bath water. I’ve realized over the years not everything that’s good for you seems good to you (deep innit?)
Point? Just give it some time, then start complaining, not the other way around. Otherwise you might discourage something very useful, not just to you but others who need it, and that is really what church should be about IMO. Helping others. You look out for me, I look out for you, and when we look out for each other, Jesus looks after all of us. Then again, he does this anyway, but we miss out on blessings if we’re selfish n’ stuff (I’d know!)
Aaaaaaaaaaand that’s my time. I’ll now bid the soapbox a fond farewell.
And try to go practice some of what I be preachin’…
Hello Marty brother!
Brother, I have thought about what you said and I have been in many churches over the past 30 years so when you say a church is ‘dead’. I ask myself, “What makes a church alive?” What makes one ‘church alive’ and another ‘dead’? What keeps a person going to a ‘church?’ For me it is quite simple; Jesus Christ. If I don’t hear the word of God, then I am dead. I need to hear the word of God to be alive spiritually. A church may have a million members and be spiritually ‘dead’. So brother, if that is what you mean by ‘dead’ I agree with you. Someone once said the medium is the message, but in a ‘church’ whatever medium you use to connect with people should include Jesus Christ and His gospel, brother man! If someone is in a ‘dead church’ they should get out because in my view, the reason you go to a ‘church’ is not just to join in fellowship with other believers, but to hear the gospel message. God’s word is never left undone, but it can be left unsaid..so, brother, keep up the good work and bring the gospel of salvation through whatever medium you choose and God will honor your heart and all who listen to you will see Him in you! Peace…Brother
What’s “facebook”?
FINALLY! Someone who agrees with me that the new changes to facebook are good!