J. Randal Matheny

Can we take the quick growth of this memorization program as a sign that people feel a need to know the Scriptures better? Obviously, it’s a testament also to the power of social media. And the latter fact bears some serious thought.

People often disparage social media. But they're moving the Internet as never before, and aggregating not only monetary value but social value as well. It has changed the Internet experience as much or more than the Internet changed society when it first appeared.

The memorization event on Facebook grew to over 1,900 participants in about a week. It's yet another sign of the power of social media to effect change and channel people's energies into positive, organized efforts. The key is to tap into conscious needs and to use effectively the medium, two requirements that are no small tasks.

I've tried very hard to reach the people of Minnesota in real-time ways," Bachmann said. "So we've increased my presence on my official Web site to 82,000 followers on Facebook. On my campaign Web site, we had 143,000 followers on Facebook. On Twitter, I have 27,000 followers. On my campaign Web site, I have 9,300 followers. Twitter ranked me the third-most influential member of Congress on Twitter.

Michelle Bachmann counts up her Internet friends and followers. Why? Because for politics it's a RBD, a Really Big Deal. And ought to be for Christians as well, seeking to effect change in the world and transformation in the hearts of hearers.