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The word most often used—and perhaps overused—to describe this kind of real presence in social media is “authenticity.” It’s been argued that authenticity is a term that is impossible to define. Like “beauty” or “truth,” we tend to know it when we see it.

In The Gifts of Imperfection, researcher, storyteller, and social media practitioner Brené Brown describes authenticity in this helpful way:

Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen. There are people who consciously practice being authentic, there are people who don’t, and there are the rest of us who are authentic on some days and not so authentic on other days.¹

According to Brown, authenticity is about showing up with our whole selves. The work of ministry continually calls us to “consciously practice being authentic.” Life experiences, passions, strengths, and weaknesses are all brought to bear and shape pastoral presence, regardless of whether we are serving as clergy or laypeople. Being true to these—and trusting that God is at work in them—is what makes each ministry unique and effective. It enables us to empathize with people in their suffering, bring the Word of God home in preaching and teaching, and share faith through the stories of our lived experience.

The same goes for life and ministry enacted through digital media. Our real presence is essential. By bringing the fullness of our lives to bear through ministry in social media communities, we bear witness to the fullness of life in God. After all, the really Real Presence here is God’s, and it is through our real and authentic presence in social media that we most clearly and effectively point to God. As we know from face-to-face ministry, this is often how faith is transmitted and God is made manifest: through the stories of the real lives of real people.

Let’s take a closer look at what real presence looks like in the context of social networking.