A while ago I tweeted about how I was following the rules set by the organization that employs me after they released their official “Social Media Guidelines.”
Many of you asked if you could see it, and understandably so. I asked for permission from the leadership and they gave it the green light.
You can download the full 4 page PDF after the jump…
You can download it here!
Share with others and adapt it for your own organization and/or ministry!
[HT: InsideNorthPoint]
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Hmm.. interesting to see how some churches have actual Social Media Guidelines or Policies, instead of just an honor code or unspoken code that they all know they have to follow.
Just playing Devil’s Advocate here, do you think policies and guidelines like this infringe on our basic rights found in the Constitution? Doesn’t the first amendment grant us the freedom of speech (verbal and written)?
The First Amendment is for how the government can (or cannot) restrict free speech. When I take a job in a ministry that has a policy about my speech rights then I am choosing to submit to those rules. If I leave the job then they no longer can restrict my speech. Basically, I choose to give up some rights so that I get a paycheck.
I like the question though — we do need to be conscious of how those in our organization may feel about policies that restrict what they can say online.
I think there should always be room for discussion, but a policy brings clarity that I believe is needed. To me it is a guard rail and a baseline for accountability that helps to maintain a healthy standard for communication that will bring glory to God and not a reproach.
John,
Thanks for posting.
Definitely something that my employer, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (http://billygraham.org) needs to adopt .. but .. I do not see the disclaimer “The posts on this site are my own personal opinions. They are not read or approved by North Point Ministries, Inc., before posting and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of NPMI.” anywhere on any of your websites ..
- Brad
haha Busted!
Thanks for sharing, John. It’s a good look through.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Excellent post JS. Short and to the point – Thanks for sharing. NPMI leading the way yet again.
Thanks so much John, I’ve been looking forward to reading and gleaning from them. I appreciate you and those at North Point who are willing to share their labor for the good of the Body.
Thanks for posting this! I now have several of these sitting in a folder along with a todo item to make one for our ministry. Time to move that item up the priority list!
Thanks John! I did create one using PolicyTool.net which seemed to give me a good starting point. I’m still in the process of creating this document and taking a look at yours will definitely help!
Simple, clear and straightforward. I can’t see that anyone should have any problems adhereing to these guidlines.
Just spent a good chunk of my day developing my draft of our version of this document. Sent it off to my Senior Pastor and HR department! All good things! They asked if I was implying something or if I was just being proactive. haha… (I told them I was being proactive).
Thanks John. This is great. I had a good conversation today that I need to catch you up on sometime.
Nice. Thanks for sharing. Very cool policy too.
Any chance we could get a look at the employee handbook that the guidlines refer to?
Very helpful document. It seems that we are now in time at which any employer, especially churches, should have some set of social media guidelines to both protect and enhance their reputation–and God’s glory.