I challenged people not to speak or listen to gossip but the fastest growing form of gossip is actually on line (facebook, twitter, email, texting, blogging, posting, etc), and it is much more damaging!  Gossip is deadly! 

This year Pastor Kevin Hester from Coloma Michigan, is adding an emphasis to the challenge.  Those participating will make a committment not to gossip or listen to others gossiping just as in years past.  But this time "Gossip Free?" is focusing specifically on social media and social networking.



           2012
This New Year make a Resolution more powerful than words.  2012 is upon us and Kevin Hester, Pastor of the Sanctuary in Watervliet Michigan and Gossip Free Founder is asking people to commit to being gossip free in the social media and on the social network.  As the internet and our smartphones continue to connect people around the U.S. and around the world they also continue to be a devastatingly effective tool for the spread of gossip.   

Whether it's Facebook, web pages, emails, youtube, or text messaging or any other place we may find our selves on the information highway, we will find gossip.

From the creation of man until now, gossip has caused wars, destroyed lives, closed businesses, hurt relationships, and devastated organizations and now the fastest growing way that gossip is spreading is through social networking.  

Pastor Kevin is asking everyone to PAUSE before their fingers do the talking!  Remember that once something is sent out on the information highway, it can never be gotten back and it will be impossible to clean up the devastation left in it's wake.

Before you text, tweet, type, or post something, pause to ask yourself, Is this...

Private
Attacking
Untruthful
Sensitive
Exaggerated.

If it is, then simply don't say it.  Join Kevin in this challenge as he attempts to take social networking from a place of ongoing destruction to a safe way to connect and share information.  

Hopefully this resolution will help us all undo the old habit of being careless with our words and help us to begin a new habit of being careful with our speech.



E-mail Pastor Kevin with your story about how gossip on the information highway has affected you or to get more information about "Gossip Free?"

hesterkev@yahoo.com