By Lucas A.
“We need to create a Facebook group for the church” – our Pastor said as he handpicked two church members for the task. He had made the announcement a few times before, but for some reason, we didn’t have the same sense of urgency that he had, we seemingly didn’t have the same vision that he had. Fast forward a few months down the line, we now have our shiny new group, – a digital extension of our church, populated by a handful of members and with the odd few posts. It was just there, still, we’ve essentially done it just to fulfil all righteousness, as they say. A checkbox marked ‘done’. We didn’t know the impact or effect it would have.
Then came that Sunday, ordinary yet telling. A young lady, a stranger until that moment, approached us after service. She introduced herself as someone who essentially found her way to church through our Facebook group, – the beacon of our Facebook group. There it was a seemingly unremarkable online presence leading her home. Validation at last, I’d imagine Pastor must have thought!
That short, simple, uninteresting story was intended to highlight just one of the many benefits of social media. As with any tool, social media has its own drawbacks and disadvantages, maybe more than most but without a doubt, it is a tool with the capacity for so much more than the mundane.
In today’s interconnected world, the convergence of the Church and social media presents not just an option, but an avenue of untapped potential. Finding a way to integrate social media use is an opportunity to amplify the reach and impact of the church. It is an opportunity to foster a virtual environment where faith can flourish, and connections can transcend the physical building – the brick and mortar. The story I told earlier highlights a number of benefits that can potentially be derived from social media usage by church, if its capacity is harnessed appropriately.
These includes:
- Expanded horizon: social media has the potential to propel the church beyond physical boundaries. It is essentially a lighthouse guiding seekers through the tumultuous sea of information. In a world where people turn to google before their faith, a vibrant online presence ensures they find answers rooted in the teachings of the church.
- Community: a church is not just a structure; it is a fellowship. Social media extends this fellowship beyond our Sunday Service, Bible Study, Prayer Meetings and Revival Hour, nurturing a sense of belonging. Church members can share their thoughts, burdens, and joys, knitting together a form of unity in a world of diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Amplifying outreach: like the town criers of old (yes, I’m that old!), social media proclaims the church’s message. Events, sermons, and acts of kindness reverberate far beyond the walls of the church, capturing the attention of those who might have walked through its doors.
To harness these potential benefits, a strategic approach is an imperative. This includes:
- Thoughtful content: share content that resonates with the core values of the church. Publish soundbites from sermons, testimonies, inspirational stories that mirror the essence of the church.
- Consistent engagement: just as faith requires consistency, so does a social media presence. Regular posts, responses to comments, and engagement with followers keep the virtual sanctuary alive.
- Interactive conversations: encourage meaningful interactions. Post questions, host live sessions for Q&A, and share content that sparks discussions, creating a thriving digital dialogue.
- Visual storytelling: a picture transcends many words. Share pictures and videos showing church events, community outreaches, and different moments through the years that shows the church’s spirit.
These are some of the many ways to harness the immense potential capacities inherent in social media use.
As it turned out, the lovely lady in my story recently volunteered to take the lead and become the social media manager of the church. If you’re still in doubt, take the plunge! You never know what God will use that to accomplish. Even one soul, just the one soul coming into the church, coming into the kingdom through your act of obedience and faith is more than enough validation.