Rainer on Leadership

Should Pastors Engage in Online Fights?


Listen Later

In this episode, Josh and Sam tackle a question many pastors quietly wrestle with: Should I respond to that post… or just scroll past it? Social media makes it easy to jump into theological skirmishes and digital debates, but Scripture calls pastors to something higher than winning arguments. Online quarrels often produce more heat than light, drain emotional energy, and distract from the real work of shepherding people face-to-face. While there is a time to contend for the faith, most comment-section fights are poor stewardship and rarely change hearts. Sometimes the most pastoral response is silence… and logging off.

    1. Pastors are commanded not to be quarrelsome. Scripture calls leaders to gentleness and clarity, not combative, argumentative behavior that “does no good.”
    2. Your online presence disciples your people. Members watch how you speak. Public arguments can undermine your credibility and example.
    3. Shepherding real people matters more than debating strangers. Time spent fighting online often steals time from sermon prep, family, and local church care.
    4. Online arguments feed ego, not fruitfulness. Likes and retweets feel productive but rarely produce real spiritual growth or changed convictions.
    5. Humility should guide every post—or silence. Pastors build Christ’s kingdom, not personal platforms. Sometimes the most faithful move is restraint.
    6. Resources:
      • Church Equip
        • America’s Gambling Problem and the Church
          • FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
            • Church Answers Central
              • The Hope Initiative
              • Episode Sponsor:

                The post Should Pastors Engage in Online Fights? appeared first on Church Answers.

                ...more
                View all episodesView all episodes
                Download on the App Store

                Rainer on LeadershipBy Thom Rainer

                • 4.8
                • 4.8
                • 4.8
                • 4.8
                • 4.8

                4.8

                461 ratings


                More shows like Rainer on Leadership

                View all
                Messages by Desiring God by Desiring God

                Messages by Desiring God

                1,663 Listeners

                Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life by Tim Keller

                Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

                16,027 Listeners

                Renewing Your Mind by Ligonier Ministries

                Renewing Your Mind

                5,190 Listeners

                The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

                The Briefing with Albert Mohler

                8,641 Listeners

                Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast by Life.Church

                Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

                10,798 Listeners

                5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols by Ligonier Ministries

                5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

                1,683 Listeners

                The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast by Art of Leadership Network

                The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast

                2,278 Listeners

                David Platt Messages by David Platt

                David Platt Messages

                1,443 Listeners

                Light + Truth by Desiring God

                Light + Truth

                1,467 Listeners

                New Churches Podcast by Send Network

                New Churches Podcast

                256 Listeners

                The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast by Pete Scazzero

                The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast

                673 Listeners

                5 Leadership Questions Podcast on Church Leadership with Todd Adkins and Dan Iten by Lifeway Leadership Podcast Network

                5 Leadership Questions Podcast on Church Leadership with Todd Adkins and Dan Iten

                360 Listeners

                EST. - For the Established Church with Sam Rainer and Josh King by EST.church

                EST. - For the Established Church with Sam Rainer and Josh King

                155 Listeners

                Group Answers Podcast with Brian Daniel by Lifeway Podcast Network

                Group Answers Podcast with Brian Daniel

                39 Listeners

                Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks by 9Marks

                Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks

                709 Listeners

                The Church Answers Podcast by The Church Answers Podcast

                The Church Answers Podcast

                269 Listeners

                Making Disciples with Replicate Podcast by Replicate Ministries

                Making Disciples with Replicate Podcast

                490 Listeners

                The One Thing by Reach Australia

                The One Thing

                11 Listeners

                The Crossway Podcast by Crossway

                The Crossway Podcast

                635 Listeners

                Rebuilders by Red Church

                Rebuilders

                289 Listeners

                Fearless with Cissie Graham Lynch by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

                Fearless with Cissie Graham Lynch

                1,108 Listeners