{"id":144048,"date":"2026-03-20T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=144048"},"modified":"2026-03-20T18:43:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T22:43:05","slug":"south-carolina-bishop-chip-edgars-directive-for-clergy-regarding-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=144048","title":{"rendered":"South Carolina Bishop Chip Edgar\u2019s Directive For Clergy Regarding Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Social media interactions are, by definition, public and social, and not private. Clergy are held to a
higher standard of responsibility in their use of these platforms. Being clergy is an honor, privilege,
and responsibility that comes with influence, but also requires discretion and often sacrifice of our
rights, obligating us to wise self-censorship and self-control. I expect all social media posts by our
clergy to adhere to the highest standard of Christian decorum. All that we do reflects on our Lord,
His Church, our Diocese, and our ministry.
To that end, I first offer five (edited) questions that Archbishop Emeritus Foley Beach requires his
diocese to ask before posting anything\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Is it the truth? Along with that, ask: Why is it my responsibility to speak this truth or address
    this situation?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Have I talked to the person before I post about the person?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Will it benefit all concerned?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Do my words reflect well on Jesus Christ and on His Church?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Will I someday need to apologize and confess what I have written as a sin?
    These helpful questions can serve as a beginning point and a filter for online interactions. From
    there, I offer a few wise policies, developed by my friend and fellow bishop, Alex Farmer, for the
    clergy of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese. (Again, I have edited these for our situation.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Never post, repost, favorably comment on, or like content that reflects poorly on Christ
    Jesus and his Church, other clergy, or yourself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Follow the same rules of courtesy and mature behavior you would observe in any face-toface interaction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Think about consequences and how your message might be perceived before you post.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>

    I used to think the main damage from social media was to youth mental health. Now I believe that the global destruction of the human ability to pay attention may be even larger.

    A meta-analysis shows the damage, to adults as well as teens, from TikTok+    https:\/\/t.co\/YS0dkQTdj0<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/a8bSMQyW60<\/a><\/p>— Jonathan Haidt (@JonHaidt) November 15, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>