I'm 100% right there with you, Claire. Another thing I've learned, after being in this online "business" 12+ years — the creators I most resonate with are ones that do something else besides their creating. They're not *only* podcasters, YouTubers, bloggers, Instagrammers, etc. They also teach, or farm, or practice law, or bake really good bread at home, or lead their neighborhood book club. It's because whatever they then share online comes from an overflow of their life, not the culmination of it. I've learned this the hard way but it makes me a much, much better writer when I do other things like garden, teach high school, and lead pilgrimages.
I was struggling with my Jesus Job (loved that phrase, Claire) and discussing the situation with one of my professors when she said, "Who does your ministry primarily support? Because many ministries primarily function to support and please the minister." And since then I've seen it everywhere - ministries designed primarily to function for the ego of the minister who designed them (including myself, which was part of the reason I left my Jesus Job).
The other catch-22 with what you've pointed out is that, on the one hand, the people who get published in the Catholic/Christian space, who get book deals and speaking engagements, are people with large social media followings. And that means that they're spending a significant amount of time creating those platforms...time that's not spend in the real world living a life gaining wisdom worth sharing. While, on the other hand, some of the most interesting, thought-provoking Christians I've met would struggle greatly to get a book deal because they don't have a social media following. To some extent we're auctioning off our collective thought to the people most committed to branding Christianity rather than living for Jesus. I'm overstating this somewhat. I don't think everyone on social media isn't living a real life. And I don't think the people are just to blame - the risk-adverse "industry" of Christianity, where the people who get contracts and speaking gigs are the people who meet a certain social media threshold, is also at issue here for me. But all of it feels like we're living for the machine rather than dismantling it.
LIVING FOR THE MACHINE RATHER THAN DISMANTLING IT! That is *gold*. I don't think you're overstating it as all. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the 4-5 holiest people I know are literally not online at all. Zero.
OK, from easy to hard - first and foremost, still waiting to hear your thoughts on The Seven Storey Mountain. Did you finish it already?
I also read a book by Jessi Klein recently, but I read You'll Grow Out of It and found it rather bleak. Parts of it were smart and funny but overall I didn't like it. I am always interested in funny books about motherhood, so I'll add I'll See Myself Out to the list and see if I like it better. I like what I've heard of her comedy so I found it pretty surprising that I didn't like her book.
The short version of my main response to your essay is - I have left behind a lot of social media and Catholics I used to follow because, to a person, they were all trying to sell me something. Books, Beauty Counter, liturgical living, homeschool curricula, didn't matter what it was, I realized that 1) they didn't know me (this seems fairly obvious in retrospect! But I'm slow sometimes :-) and 2) social media had trained me to think that I "knew" them and conditioned me to buy their stuff. Furthermore, I had no real friends in real life so all my advice was coming through screens. Now, some of this was good advice! I am a better mother because I have been reading these people's blogs for over a decade, well before I had children of my own, and their words have given me tips, perspective, wisdom, you name it. But it came at the expense of building a real community, and I realized far too late that I was paying a very steep price. I lost those years to the internet (and COVID, let's be real) and they're not coming back. My loss.
The other thing influencer Catholics and social media have done to me is to fool me into thinking that These Women Wouldn't Like Me, which is a hard pill to swallow when I feel like I know and like them! Because of social media I know their children's names, I know their wedding anniversaries, etc., etc. I internalized that I was a Bad Catholic because they wouldn't approve of me for a variety of reasons, some substantive, some not. I think if I met these women in person we could at least be friendly, if not friends. But the need for hot takes and perfect photos has given the Devil an opportunity to tell me otherwise, and shame on me for listening to him.
Finally, I want to be very clear that I am not shaming these women (or anyone) for making a living this way. Like you said Claire, this may be their ministry, and deciding that is between them and Jesus! But this culture and this method of evangelization has, on balance, done much more harm than good to me in the past 10 years, so it's got to go. It's hard to opt out of the digital spaces where lives are lived now, but it is unquestionably the right choice for me.
I'm not done with Merton yet! I'm about halfway through. I only read it for about 10/15 mins in the morning. I'm actually *loving* it.
That's the thing: I feel like these things so often come at the expense of a real community, and REAL spiritual guidance and relationships. How many of us feel like we got our spiritual "hit" from Instagram--from a person who could very well be poorly formed, or just completely wrong? How many of us feel like we are "evangelizing" because we shared a bible quote? There's nothing morally wrong with any of this; the problem is what it's *lacking*. (And I guess there actually is something morally wrong if you're using a social media platform to lead people to sin. I mean, I don't know how culpable you are, but it would definitely be a morally wrong action.)
And lastly; yeah, I definitely don't crap on every single person who makes a living with the faith! Like I said, Fr. Mike has been HUGE for me, and Abiding Together has been a great blessing as well. I know some people feel the same way about Emily Wilson or Bishop Barron.
Amy, I had such a similar experience in my relationship with online professional Catholics for awhile! I unfollowed every Catholic account for a few months because I had the same realization about how much I was substituting real life community for online relationships with women that I felt I knew, but who knew nothing about me. This got bad during the pandemic, but as the world has returned to normal for my family, I have returned to healthier boundaries and expectations with my online relationships. ❤️
Thanks for this essay. I'm not inclined to Jesus Jobs personally (unless you count music ministry lol) but I do feel the pull to PAY for things instead of just sit down with what I have and what I know and PRAY DAILY, READ SACRED STUFF, etc. The basics :) On the consumer side, it is so easy to scroll Catholic insta, read Catholic articles, watch Catholic Youtube (my boyfriend and I are hard core Pints W Aquinas viewers), or shop Catholic products instead of actually spending time with the Lord!!! Oof. I just wanted to validate your argument on another side: we can't just be Jesus Consumers.
I did have a clarification I wanted to ask, I think you probably meant what I think you mean, but I wanted to clarify.
At one point you wrote that if you "think it's your job to help someone get to Heaven", that you shouldn't be in your Jesus job. But then you talk a ton about evangelizing which IS helping someone get to Heaven (though of course, not doing all the work because Jesus). When you said "Helping them get to heaven" did you mean it in a cliche tella-evangelist kind of way?
I know what you mean about paying for stuff. Sometimes I feel like I ought to pay/subscribe to all the things because I have money and I want to support Catholic ministries. But I can’t realistically consume all the content.
I feel the same way. If I can't pay for a person's content but find it useful, I try to share it with my real-life circle in order to spread the word! I once read something about some consumers being "paying customers" and some being (ironically called lololol) "evangelizers"...like, they might not pay, but they'll spread the word.
I have a similar temptation towards paying for things. I’ve noticed over the years that this is the way the evil spirit pulls me after/during a retreat or conference. On the one hand, it’s wonderful to have access to so many materials, artwork, etc. all in once place. On the other, I’ve noticed my zeal for Jesus shifting to this consumerist drive where I sort of accessorize my life with spiritual things rather than actually entering into deeper relationship with Jesus. Hopefully recognizing this temptation is a good first step towards doing the opposite!
That's such a great way to put it: accessorizing our lives with spiritual THINGS, instead of Jesus himself. I am with you there. I think it is understandable that we struggle with this, considering the deep consumerism we live in in 21st century America. I agree, it's good to start with awareness and talking about this with you here helps me to further embrace that this is a bit of a problem for me as well (the faith consumerism).
Hmmm. When I was a FOCUS missionary, they REALLY REALLY REALLY impressed upon us that we're called to make disciples and evangelize, and that most Catholics don't, and will have to answer for it. That's true, and they were also trying to fire us up which they very much needed to do, but it also kind of freaked me out and made me feel like every single person getting to Heaven is MY job, and that all St. Peter's going to say if I get up there is, "where's all your family and friends?!" So I'm kind of constantly unpacking the culpability of evangelization. Yes, it's our job to share the faith...but are we then culpable for NOT sharing it with certain people? In certain situations? In certain ways? But I do think I could have worded it better, certainly, since you're right--it IS our job to help people get to Heaven!
Ok that makes sense. I've also struggled with this, especially in conversations with my Protestant friends who are for door-to-door evangelization. My big question, which it sounds like is similar to yours, is what degree and species of evangelization am I responsible for as someone who isn't a missionary? How much am I supposed to be doing to fulfil my Christian duty of evangelization??
That's a good question that I honestly have no answers to. Some days (weeks...months...) the only people I talk to Jesus about are my own children or on the internet. Clearly, I need to read this essay as much as everyone else. I truly believe we all have a unique mission given to us by the Lord, and that we just need to pray, be bold, and try our best. I also feel like this is where a great spiritual director could come in handy--their entire job is to help you discern God's will for your life. So, what's his will for your evangelization, y'know?
Thanks for acknowledging how hard it is to evangelize and live as a Catholic in the secular day to day. I have my church circle of friends that I have a common language with, but can't say the same things to my sisters and mother, I try but...it's a challenge for sure. There are days that I dream of doing work for the church, but than I look at myself and know the hard truth that that isn't my calling, I am needed as a witness in my everyday IT job and calling others to Jesus just in the normal everyday way that I live.
Because I am OCD about spelling, spell check and homonym substitutions, I am compelled to point out that the phrase is "tenets of the faith" not tenants. I am so sorry to be that reader. (Paragraph 5)
I’m not in the business but I can tell you that right before Lent I get 10+ emails from Catholic News podcasts, websites online retreats etc. It’s opportunistic and overwhelming. This is the only time of year Catholicism matters?
My parish just started a podcast - we have a new pastor and the new youth minister is savvy with social media ( thank goodness) The goal is about reaching out to a parish that has gone into a funk over the past three years. The funk has been COVID, lack of open communication, aging parish, few young families. The bulletin has thankfully been overhauled and Flock note announcements are improving by offering reflections from the deacons and priest.
I subscribe to podcasts, emails-mostly scripture based- that help me pray, reflect, contemplate the Lord in my daily life. I need it to get through the day with my job and home life.
I hope my parish succeeds in their small goal in the Jesus biz.
YES. Believe it or not, I actually just decided we aren't doing anything special in the newsletter for Advent, and I'm working on a newsletter called You Don't Have to Do All This Advent Stuff. Hahaha. It was WILD how many special online retreats, podcast series, etc. there were. I feel like a small local podcast for a parish is a great idea; I have a friend who runs an RCIA program at a church and they do the same thing, mainly for their candidates.
Loved this Newsletter. So, so good and thought-provoking and needed. In the time and space where it seems like everyone is telling you to "Get online and share" you ask "But is God asking you to?" And reminding us of the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit
Reflection Questions
Am I consuming more than I'm praying?
Is God asking me to post/share that?
Only thing I'll add is Catholic coaching via Metanoia Catholic has been amazing. Matt and Erin Ingold are authentically Catholic. The real difference I've noticed is Life Coaching (ie; Brooke Castillo) the question ends with What do I want?
Catholic Coaching, how I align my desires with the goal of growing in holiness and virtue?
In all we do, purchase, consume.. may it be lead by the Spirit.
If only you knew how much the DigiEvangelization has helped me. Jesus uses everything and everyone. The "bland" quote you say, is not quite bland to me. You know not the hearts of men. So humble yourself and let digievangelizers be!
I'm 100% right there with you, Claire. Another thing I've learned, after being in this online "business" 12+ years — the creators I most resonate with are ones that do something else besides their creating. They're not *only* podcasters, YouTubers, bloggers, Instagrammers, etc. They also teach, or farm, or practice law, or bake really good bread at home, or lead their neighborhood book club. It's because whatever they then share online comes from an overflow of their life, not the culmination of it. I've learned this the hard way but it makes me a much, much better writer when I do other things like garden, teach high school, and lead pilgrimages.
Love this
I was struggling with my Jesus Job (loved that phrase, Claire) and discussing the situation with one of my professors when she said, "Who does your ministry primarily support? Because many ministries primarily function to support and please the minister." And since then I've seen it everywhere - ministries designed primarily to function for the ego of the minister who designed them (including myself, which was part of the reason I left my Jesus Job).
The other catch-22 with what you've pointed out is that, on the one hand, the people who get published in the Catholic/Christian space, who get book deals and speaking engagements, are people with large social media followings. And that means that they're spending a significant amount of time creating those platforms...time that's not spend in the real world living a life gaining wisdom worth sharing. While, on the other hand, some of the most interesting, thought-provoking Christians I've met would struggle greatly to get a book deal because they don't have a social media following. To some extent we're auctioning off our collective thought to the people most committed to branding Christianity rather than living for Jesus. I'm overstating this somewhat. I don't think everyone on social media isn't living a real life. And I don't think the people are just to blame - the risk-adverse "industry" of Christianity, where the people who get contracts and speaking gigs are the people who meet a certain social media threshold, is also at issue here for me. But all of it feels like we're living for the machine rather than dismantling it.
LIVING FOR THE MACHINE RATHER THAN DISMANTLING IT! That is *gold*. I don't think you're overstating it as all. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the 4-5 holiest people I know are literally not online at all. Zero.
This is 100% the problem with the Christian publishing industry. I've seen it first-hand behind the scenes, and you're spot-on.
(As an aside, this is one of my favorite parody Substacks about this very thing — his Twitter is great, too: https://mpierce.substack.com/)
Hahaha I JUST learned about this...maybe from you? Did you mention it in a newsletter lately? It KILLS ME.
Yes! I linked to him in one of my emails a few weeks ago.
OK, from easy to hard - first and foremost, still waiting to hear your thoughts on The Seven Storey Mountain. Did you finish it already?
I also read a book by Jessi Klein recently, but I read You'll Grow Out of It and found it rather bleak. Parts of it were smart and funny but overall I didn't like it. I am always interested in funny books about motherhood, so I'll add I'll See Myself Out to the list and see if I like it better. I like what I've heard of her comedy so I found it pretty surprising that I didn't like her book.
The short version of my main response to your essay is - I have left behind a lot of social media and Catholics I used to follow because, to a person, they were all trying to sell me something. Books, Beauty Counter, liturgical living, homeschool curricula, didn't matter what it was, I realized that 1) they didn't know me (this seems fairly obvious in retrospect! But I'm slow sometimes :-) and 2) social media had trained me to think that I "knew" them and conditioned me to buy their stuff. Furthermore, I had no real friends in real life so all my advice was coming through screens. Now, some of this was good advice! I am a better mother because I have been reading these people's blogs for over a decade, well before I had children of my own, and their words have given me tips, perspective, wisdom, you name it. But it came at the expense of building a real community, and I realized far too late that I was paying a very steep price. I lost those years to the internet (and COVID, let's be real) and they're not coming back. My loss.
The other thing influencer Catholics and social media have done to me is to fool me into thinking that These Women Wouldn't Like Me, which is a hard pill to swallow when I feel like I know and like them! Because of social media I know their children's names, I know their wedding anniversaries, etc., etc. I internalized that I was a Bad Catholic because they wouldn't approve of me for a variety of reasons, some substantive, some not. I think if I met these women in person we could at least be friendly, if not friends. But the need for hot takes and perfect photos has given the Devil an opportunity to tell me otherwise, and shame on me for listening to him.
Finally, I want to be very clear that I am not shaming these women (or anyone) for making a living this way. Like you said Claire, this may be their ministry, and deciding that is between them and Jesus! But this culture and this method of evangelization has, on balance, done much more harm than good to me in the past 10 years, so it's got to go. It's hard to opt out of the digital spaces where lives are lived now, but it is unquestionably the right choice for me.
I'm not done with Merton yet! I'm about halfway through. I only read it for about 10/15 mins in the morning. I'm actually *loving* it.
That's the thing: I feel like these things so often come at the expense of a real community, and REAL spiritual guidance and relationships. How many of us feel like we got our spiritual "hit" from Instagram--from a person who could very well be poorly formed, or just completely wrong? How many of us feel like we are "evangelizing" because we shared a bible quote? There's nothing morally wrong with any of this; the problem is what it's *lacking*. (And I guess there actually is something morally wrong if you're using a social media platform to lead people to sin. I mean, I don't know how culpable you are, but it would definitely be a morally wrong action.)
And lastly; yeah, I definitely don't crap on every single person who makes a living with the faith! Like I said, Fr. Mike has been HUGE for me, and Abiding Together has been a great blessing as well. I know some people feel the same way about Emily Wilson or Bishop Barron.
Amy, I had such a similar experience in my relationship with online professional Catholics for awhile! I unfollowed every Catholic account for a few months because I had the same realization about how much I was substituting real life community for online relationships with women that I felt I knew, but who knew nothing about me. This got bad during the pandemic, but as the world has returned to normal for my family, I have returned to healthier boundaries and expectations with my online relationships. ❤️
Thanks for this essay. I'm not inclined to Jesus Jobs personally (unless you count music ministry lol) but I do feel the pull to PAY for things instead of just sit down with what I have and what I know and PRAY DAILY, READ SACRED STUFF, etc. The basics :) On the consumer side, it is so easy to scroll Catholic insta, read Catholic articles, watch Catholic Youtube (my boyfriend and I are hard core Pints W Aquinas viewers), or shop Catholic products instead of actually spending time with the Lord!!! Oof. I just wanted to validate your argument on another side: we can't just be Jesus Consumers.
I did have a clarification I wanted to ask, I think you probably meant what I think you mean, but I wanted to clarify.
At one point you wrote that if you "think it's your job to help someone get to Heaven", that you shouldn't be in your Jesus job. But then you talk a ton about evangelizing which IS helping someone get to Heaven (though of course, not doing all the work because Jesus). When you said "Helping them get to heaven" did you mean it in a cliche tella-evangelist kind of way?
I know what you mean about paying for stuff. Sometimes I feel like I ought to pay/subscribe to all the things because I have money and I want to support Catholic ministries. But I can’t realistically consume all the content.
I feel the same way. If I can't pay for a person's content but find it useful, I try to share it with my real-life circle in order to spread the word! I once read something about some consumers being "paying customers" and some being (ironically called lololol) "evangelizers"...like, they might not pay, but they'll spread the word.
So many news letters, so little time
I have a similar temptation towards paying for things. I’ve noticed over the years that this is the way the evil spirit pulls me after/during a retreat or conference. On the one hand, it’s wonderful to have access to so many materials, artwork, etc. all in once place. On the other, I’ve noticed my zeal for Jesus shifting to this consumerist drive where I sort of accessorize my life with spiritual things rather than actually entering into deeper relationship with Jesus. Hopefully recognizing this temptation is a good first step towards doing the opposite!
That's such a great way to put it: accessorizing our lives with spiritual THINGS, instead of Jesus himself. I am with you there. I think it is understandable that we struggle with this, considering the deep consumerism we live in in 21st century America. I agree, it's good to start with awareness and talking about this with you here helps me to further embrace that this is a bit of a problem for me as well (the faith consumerism).
Hmmm. When I was a FOCUS missionary, they REALLY REALLY REALLY impressed upon us that we're called to make disciples and evangelize, and that most Catholics don't, and will have to answer for it. That's true, and they were also trying to fire us up which they very much needed to do, but it also kind of freaked me out and made me feel like every single person getting to Heaven is MY job, and that all St. Peter's going to say if I get up there is, "where's all your family and friends?!" So I'm kind of constantly unpacking the culpability of evangelization. Yes, it's our job to share the faith...but are we then culpable for NOT sharing it with certain people? In certain situations? In certain ways? But I do think I could have worded it better, certainly, since you're right--it IS our job to help people get to Heaven!
Ok that makes sense. I've also struggled with this, especially in conversations with my Protestant friends who are for door-to-door evangelization. My big question, which it sounds like is similar to yours, is what degree and species of evangelization am I responsible for as someone who isn't a missionary? How much am I supposed to be doing to fulfil my Christian duty of evangelization??
That's a good question that I honestly have no answers to. Some days (weeks...months...) the only people I talk to Jesus about are my own children or on the internet. Clearly, I need to read this essay as much as everyone else. I truly believe we all have a unique mission given to us by the Lord, and that we just need to pray, be bold, and try our best. I also feel like this is where a great spiritual director could come in handy--their entire job is to help you discern God's will for your life. So, what's his will for your evangelization, y'know?
Thanks for acknowledging how hard it is to evangelize and live as a Catholic in the secular day to day. I have my church circle of friends that I have a common language with, but can't say the same things to my sisters and mother, I try but...it's a challenge for sure. There are days that I dream of doing work for the church, but than I look at myself and know the hard truth that that isn't my calling, I am needed as a witness in my everyday IT job and calling others to Jesus just in the normal everyday way that I live.
Yup
Because I am OCD about spelling, spell check and homonym substitutions, I am compelled to point out that the phrase is "tenets of the faith" not tenants. I am so sorry to be that reader. (Paragraph 5)
Thank you for being that reader--I am terrible at grammar considering I'm a professional writer, hahaha
Anyone who quotes Amy Welborn deserves a subscribe. She's one of the best.
And your post is spot on. Keep up the good work!
I’m not in the business but I can tell you that right before Lent I get 10+ emails from Catholic News podcasts, websites online retreats etc. It’s opportunistic and overwhelming. This is the only time of year Catholicism matters?
My parish just started a podcast - we have a new pastor and the new youth minister is savvy with social media ( thank goodness) The goal is about reaching out to a parish that has gone into a funk over the past three years. The funk has been COVID, lack of open communication, aging parish, few young families. The bulletin has thankfully been overhauled and Flock note announcements are improving by offering reflections from the deacons and priest.
I subscribe to podcasts, emails-mostly scripture based- that help me pray, reflect, contemplate the Lord in my daily life. I need it to get through the day with my job and home life.
I hope my parish succeeds in their small goal in the Jesus biz.
YES. Believe it or not, I actually just decided we aren't doing anything special in the newsletter for Advent, and I'm working on a newsletter called You Don't Have to Do All This Advent Stuff. Hahaha. It was WILD how many special online retreats, podcast series, etc. there were. I feel like a small local podcast for a parish is a great idea; I have a friend who runs an RCIA program at a church and they do the same thing, mainly for their candidates.
Loved this Newsletter. So, so good and thought-provoking and needed. In the time and space where it seems like everyone is telling you to "Get online and share" you ask "But is God asking you to?" And reminding us of the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit
Reflection Questions
Am I consuming more than I'm praying?
Is God asking me to post/share that?
Only thing I'll add is Catholic coaching via Metanoia Catholic has been amazing. Matt and Erin Ingold are authentically Catholic. The real difference I've noticed is Life Coaching (ie; Brooke Castillo) the question ends with What do I want?
Catholic Coaching, how I align my desires with the goal of growing in holiness and virtue?
In all we do, purchase, consume.. may it be lead by the Spirit.
Have a great week everyone
Xo
If only you knew how much the DigiEvangelization has helped me. Jesus uses everything and everyone. The "bland" quote you say, is not quite bland to me. You know not the hearts of men. So humble yourself and let digievangelizers be!
I am always open to prayers for more humility; the Good Lord knows I need it! :)
Í absolutely loved every bit of this.
"Dumbledore once said..." I guffawed
Thank you Claire!
I will quote Albus any day of the WEEK ❤️