FaceBook for Ministry

FaceBook In Your Ministry

Let me preface this post with this. I have been asked routinely of late why a church or ministry should use a secular Social Networking site. The obvious answer is it may not be right for you. Let me first give you a couple of reason why you may not wish to use a site such as FaceBook.

1. You have a conviction that you should not be involved with an obviously secular site. Some people feel this way and I respect your views. I encourage all to pray about it first.

2. You don’t have time. This could be a very good reason to not begin social networking. It does take some time. While I believe FaceBook and other sites can benefit a ministry you must do it in moderation. If you are not careful it will consume your day and evening.

3. Well the truth is I cannot come up with even one more good reason. So, if these two reasons don’t apply to you I encourage you to check out a site such as Facebook.

The recent question I received asked specifically about FaceBook so I will address this from that standpoint. I am not endorsing any one site above another just answering a ministry’s question. By the way, I have blogged about this subject in the past and the link is below. I encourage you to read both this and the former article for a full answer to this question.

http://www.sermonchat.com/2008/11/building-community.html

Let’s start by introducing FaceBook and social networking for that matter.
FaceBook is an online Social Networking site. FaceBook is used by many types of organizations for communication purposes. Many businesses and ministries have used FaceBook not only for person to person interaction but also by creating a church or ministry group. In these groups individuals can have meaningful discussion and fellowship by posting discussion topics, photos, and receiving ministry updates.

FaceBook is used by more than 68 million people, that statistic alone should encourage us all to use FaceBook to interact with this large audience of individuals. Furthermore, FaceBook is in the top 5 of the most trafficked websites in the world. In other words, FaceBook is very influential.

While FaceBook cannot replace personal interaction it can be a great way to keep up with fellow believers and promote fellowship. It is amazing what we can learn about one another by simple comments made on FaceBook. You can learn about what a person watches on television, their music preference, what they read, and even their relationship status. We can see what kind of day others are having, what they are doing helps us to better know that individual, we can keep up with the important events in their lives like birthdays, and of course meet their friends who may be looking for a church home. Profiles can be very revealing.

Statistics say that over 45% of FaceBook users return to the site every day. This tells me that FaceBook can be a great way to advertise events and even make announcements. During a recent spell of bad weather I witnessed churches announcing closings via FaceBook.

FaceBook is also a great way for ministers to keep up with culture. It is important to be relevant! I did not say to compromise but to be in touch with others. Using these cultural references in your messages can help individuals related to the message you are trying to deliver.

My favorite reason is simple; this is a tool that the world will use to promote their businesses and messages. We have the greatest message! We have a mandate to evangelize the world. If we do not use a medium this powerful others will and for very different purposes. Just like you use your Sermon Player for Media Delivery I recommend you use other tools like FaceBook. We the church should claim this site as our own and begin to teach and proclaim the Gospel to all who will listen.

I have found some links that I have listed below that give practical ideas as to how to incorporate social networking into your ministry.

http://churchrelevance.com/facebook-pages-how-to-use-them-for-ministry

http://jeremystowe.com/?p=13

http://www.ministry-marketing-strategies.com/ministrymarketing.html

http://www.internetevangelismday.com/social-networking.php

In closing (sounds like I’m ending a sermon) I want your comments. Do you use social networking sites? Why or why not? Which do you prefer? How do you use these sites as a ministry tool? Let me encourage you to post responses here but also join our FaceBook group and post their. We need meaningful discussion there are ministries that need to hear your input.