A few years back I wrote the official Snapchat Guidelines for Churches.
I take it all back. Every word of it.
Here’s the thing. Snapchat changed the social game, but it didn’t at the same time.
Social media is all about being social. Always has been.
In my first piece, I wrote to not add back your followers and to only share on “Your Story”.
This was easy. This was safe.
But to quote C.S. Lewis about Aslan:
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Snapchat isn’t safe. Social media altogether isn’t really safe. But it’s good, I tell you!
Here’s the Thing, What Are We Afraid Of?
Getting naked pictures?
Like how often will that happen? And if it does on Snapchat, isn’t it gone in an instant?
If that does happen (God forbid), report it to your supervisor, your senior pastor, whoever. Block that person and move on with your day.
But I’m willing to say it will probably never happen with your church account. It might, and I just gave the steps to follow if it does, but it won’t.
So let’s do ministry online in the spirit of 1 Timothy 1:7:
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
And let’s love some people. Let’s break the rules and make some new one’s.
So do you want some new Snapchat Church Guidelines?
Add everyone. Chat back and forth. Be a normal user.
None of us are experts, but together we can strive toward making Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and whatever else a light for the Gospel.
Katie Allred says
“None of us are experts, but together we can strive toward making SnapChat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and whatever else a light for the Gospel.”
Whoops, typo. I’m human.
Eric Dye says
I missed it, too! LOL All fixed now. 🙂
Van says
Welcome to the dark side Katie!
Ha! Love the update…the post AND your outlook.