Church Social Media, Is Yours Taking Full Advantage?

[Andyindauk]

Years ago the dedicated Christian stood on high street corners wearing A-boards carrying placards proclaiming 'The End Is Nigh'. Often discussion and ridicule provoking in equal measures.

Nowadays we have Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. Now we can promote a much deeper insight into Jesus's gospel message to a much bigger audience. We can - but are we?

What's your experience of church / gospel social media posts. Do you have tips or warnings? Has it worked or has it flopped?

Love to hear your experiences, thoughts, advice and ideas.


And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18‭-‬20 NKJV

 

[Hekuran]

My experience is that the vast majority of people who turn to Christ do so because they see the difference following Jesus makes in the lives their close friends or family.

I know hardly anyone who has come to faith through a street preacher, evangelistic book table or open air presentation of the gospel.

Most of us use social media in a way that confirms our existing beliefs rather than challenge our ideas.

So I'm a social media sceptic. It may have some value, but better to focus on following Jesus in everyday lives, loving our neighbours, caring for the poor and isolated and making the best of our opportunities to talk about God's grace.

 

[Brad Huber]

I do spend time on FB for the purpose of molding the awareness of others to the truth in the world. The truth of the gospel and the truth and lies found in the world. I post to both goals regularly. I certainly dont need some group of people telling me I should or just let them do all the truth sharing. I have organizations as friends on FB that has a christian msg, and its a top down thing. They do all the messages (1 a day or sometimes twice a day) and want you to like and comment on what they message, so to gain a following. Its a mediocre way of sharing the truth IMO. These organizations should be promoting everyone sharing the truth with all their friends, all the truth, not just what that organization puts out and certainly more than once or twice a day. The enemy shares what it considers the truth on all media all the time, handing it out like candy to children who know no better. The media will be used by people, its best we use it for good to help counter all the evil its used for.

 

[Andyindauk]

Hi guys, thanks for your input, it's much appreciated.

Please don't take this as personal criticism, I don't know you well enough for that, but I was reminded of many other instances of brick walls that I've come across in my church life. If you look hard enough, you'll be able to find reasons not to. The prevailing philosophy is, if you don’t do, it's not going to wrong whereas if you do do, it may well go wrong. I'm reminded of the parable of the talents. I'm referring to Sunday school outings, church website, involving members in church services and more.

Back to topic. Question: where's the downside of a well planned and well presented social media campaign? What's the worst that can happen? Like you say, it could be a total waste of time. When farmers sow seeds in fields, they know that there may well be a flood, drought or a disease break out. So does the farmer keep his seeds in the barn?

Believe me, social media works. I have a small shop and thanks to social media I've got customers all over the UK that would never have heard of my shop without it.

A few random posts on Facebook about next Sunday's church service is probably pretty close to being a waste of time. A well planned campaign that engages with and reaches out to an audience, both believers and non-believers across several platforms is going to get engagement. The posts should provoke discussion on a huge range of really prayerfully and carefully chosen topics. Topics like, what does the Bible say about .... prayer, Heaven, materialism, creation etc. Topical subjects like mental health, racism. There's a wealth of ideas in the sermon on the Mount which is totally at odds with and so challenges accepted wisdom. Avoid mini sermons, instead, ask questions and provoke discussion. In the early days, to get you started and grow your audience, you can on Facebook boost your campaign for just a few $ by demographics such as age, gender, locale and Facebook will then make sure that your post is on on a few thousand selected timelines.

Which are the best platforms? Facebook and YouTube, but Instagram is great for reaching the youth. Try to link to the website and use that to draw people into your church, rather than making church visitation the thrust of the campaign. There's lots of really good advice on YouTube.

Does social media work? Well ask Justin Bieber, Madonna, Cold Play and Sia. What's a good result? One person is rescued from the clutches of Satan and drawn into life everlasting. What's a poor result? There is no downside, even if no one comes to know Jesus through the campaign, at the very least they've been given a choice and if they make the wrong, that's not their problem, not yours.

So has anyone else in here had either good experience or bad experience of social media? I'd be interested to hear it. Has anyone else got any tips or advice?

God bless you.

 

[JerryfromMass]

I was running in the wrong direction most of my life: a good Roman Catholic boy who believed in all I needed to believen in. That is until I heard the gospel message being preached on a Christian radio station that a friend was listening to in his car. As I listened to this pastor on the radio bring the gosoel alive, the Holy Spirit moved in me and it was right then and there that I was convicted and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I know others who have been convicted by reading a gospel tract, hearing a sermon preached, and someone sharing with them the gospel message. The Holy Spirit moves and stirs those whom HE will and those who are willing.