Gifts from heaven above are amazing things that God has gracefully given his children without us even asking, one of which is the gift of technology. It is now much easier to save the lost no matter how far they are because of the power of social media. According to an article from Internet Evangelism Day, the church can make the use of social media in realizing its purpose.
Since biblical evangelism is usually relational and discussion-based, social media is an ideal match. There is a valuable chart explaining the differences between an older traditional understanding of one-way evangelism, and a more effective relational approach which the writer has called 'withreach'.
Don't try to use social media as a 'pulpit for preaching', or as a one-way publicity tool. The foundational key is to perceive it as a 'cafe for conversation'.
Social Media has a wide variety of tools to use in promoting something good in the community. In the same Internet Evangelism Day article, it highlights the essence of social media by the Church.
The only way to decipher the significance of the different social media tools is to try to make the use of them and see how it works.
Church Use of Social Media
The use of social media would differ significantly in terms of personal and church use. Whatever is shown under the church's name and profile would basically talk about the fellowship. On the other hand, personal use of social media would mean more on the person and his or her family, friends and loved ones. Here are some points to consider:
Many churches, including individual ministries such as the youth group, use social media to communicate internally. This is great, but should not be confused with reaching out into the community. On the Web in general, and social media in particular, you have no automatic audience, and there is virtually no 'trickle-down effect'. In other words, your insider communications about faith will not normally interest outsiders. Why should they, with the possible exception of people who are already seeking? Do you follow, on Facebook or Twitter, posts from groups (eg. a sport or hobby) you have no interest in? Why would you do that?
The Web is not a broadcast medium. Each user is highly selective, and only views material they choose. This can, of course, include randomly-found unexpected eye-catching material on topics that interest them.
Since biblical evangelism is usually relational and discussion-based, social media is an ideal match. There is a valuable chart explaining the differences between an older traditional understanding of one-way evangelism, and a more effective relational approach which the writer has called 'withreach'.
Don't try to use social media as a 'pulpit for preaching', or as a one-way publicity tool. The foundational key is to perceive it as a 'cafe for conversation'.
Social Media has a wide variety of tools to use in promoting something good in the community. In the same Internet Evangelism Day article, it highlights the essence of social media by the Church.
The only way to decipher the significance of the different social media tools is to try to make the use of them and see how it works.
Church Use of Social Media
The use of social media would differ significantly in terms of personal and church use. Whatever is shown under the church's name and profile would basically talk about the fellowship. On the other hand, personal use of social media would mean more on the person and his or her family, friends and loved ones. Here are some points to consider:
Many churches, including individual ministries such as the youth group, use social media to communicate internally. This is great, but should not be confused with reaching out into the community. On the Web in general, and social media in particular, you have no automatic audience, and there is virtually no 'trickle-down effect'. In other words, your insider communications about faith will not normally interest outsiders. Why should they, with the possible exception of people who are already seeking? Do you follow, on Facebook or Twitter, posts from groups (eg. a sport or hobby) you have no interest in? Why would you do that?
The Web is not a broadcast medium. Each user is highly selective, and only views material they choose. This can, of course, include randomly-found unexpected eye-catching material on topics that interest them.
About the Author:
The harvest is plenty yet the workers are few. Building a good grasp and knowledge on the use of social media tools and its role in the churchcan make a difference in a staggering church growth!
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