Sharing the Gospel in Social Media
One reason many churches shirk away from using the power of social media is an old-fashioned sense of ownership. Their slant on the Gospel becomes a bit proprietary. We carefully hold our cards close to our vests, waiting for the right moment to play.
We forget that the Gospel is for everyone. We start to think about how telling the Gospel benefits us.
Ministry plans sometimes try to fill niches not addressed by other congregations. This can be very altruistic and good. But sometimes it is more like carving out territory, hoping to attract Christians our way to help our parish statistics.
That thinking will not work in the social media age. Sharing the Gospel has never been more possible and churches must adapt our thinking to a world of new possibilities.
Sharing is a good thing. Social Media thrives on it. It is becoming the accepted way of doing things. The internet thrives on linking to other sites.
So stop playing your ministry cards close to your vest. Tilt your hand so everyone can see your cards. Take a look at your neighbors’ hands and TELL IT!
Use your web site or blog to link to other ministries and good works in your neighborhood. It’s OK. Really! You may drive traffic away from your site for a moment, but your site traffic will soon benefit. People will remember that you helped them find that support group or social service agency. Your neighboring church will remember that you promoted their Cantata. They, in turn, might support your spaghetti dinner! You will be demonstrating that you care about your neighbors. That’s a good thing!
The message for today: Look for good things in your neighborhood to write about and link to.
photo credit: oknovokght via photopin cc