Mashable wrote a great article on October 1 about what Facebook should really be for marketers. In the article, there was a major clarification that had to be made about Facebook Pages for Marketers. For a long time, it has always been about the popularity issue: how many fans do you have. But in their article, they showed that it is actually more important to use the reach and frequency of content from your page than necessarily the number of Likes you have.
But what should the most important part of social media be for the Church?
Do not get me wrong, the ideas proposed in that article are actually extremely useful and very good advice. Clicks are good things, but branding is more than just a single view of your website. It is about reach, frequency, and getting an idea out there many times over. But the Church has never really needed an advertising department. (Read, big C. I know many churches have committees for their marketing.) So for all of the ministries and religious entities, what is it that really matters for them?
- It’s Always About God Paul’s words to the Colossians tells exactly what we do within the Church should be for. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) Any good sermon will teach you that. So while the marketing and advertising of social media may say that the reach and frequency of your content is important, for a church, it should be first and foremost about God. Praise Him. Worship Him. Adorn Him. Magnify His name. Quote Scripture. Offer Up Prayers. Whatever you do, do it for Christ.
- It’s About The Congregation Whether you have a congregation that meets every Sunday, a youth group that is composed of small groups, or a missions ministry to help orphans, your heart is geared towards the people that you meet. We are tasked by Christ in His final words to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) and even when we meet up with people online, we are to build up disciples. Point people on your Facebook page to your daily blog devotions, pictures of how you have seen them support the homeless, and empower them with words of affirmation as they go out into the world themselves.
- It’s About The Lost If our ministry was all about the saved, it would be a great insiders club, but Christ’s heart was oriented to the lost and so should ours be. Inside the walls of a church, it requires people to make the first move and come in, but on social media it requires you to. Put your best foot forward and show them what you are doing. Make it fun and light, but also grounded in the words of Christ. Photos do speak more than words, but we must also connect with them. Give them directions to your church as well as service times and let them know what they can expect. Then be a light unto the world. (Matthew 5:14)
What is it your church can do this holiday season on social media for what really matters most?
Paul Clifford (@PaulAlanClif) says
Agreed!
I say it’s about the lost so that God can be praised by more people.
I think everything should flow from evangelism, but that might just be because I’m in such an evangelistically-driven church. Maybe I should say that for the church I’m a part of, the other two should flow from an evangelistic mind-set.
Paul
Jeremy Smith says
Do not forget that we ourselves need to be equipped, empowered, and encouraged, so do not lose sight of that and only focus on the lost, but I agree. That being said, discipleship should be as much of an emphasis as well, though in the right time and place.