Social media has become more than just staring at a screen and watching others live their best lives. It has become a place where people connect, share information, interact with each other, share resources, and find communities that share the same experiences and interests, which they can be part of.
Recent statistics show that over half (63.8%) of the world's population uses social media. This means that approximately 5.22 billion people are active on various social media platforms.
These numbers present us with a God-given opportunity to reach many more people outside the four walls of our churches.
Why is social media relevant and important in churches?
Although some people believe that social media is worldly and cannot be used for church purposes, it can be a great tool—not only to help churches grow but also to extend the Kingdom by telling a whole lot more people about Jesus!
Social media can be a form of evangelism!
Yes! Believe it or not, social media is a great way to spread the gospel! Consider the COVID-19 pandemic: so many churches “disappeared” during lockdown due to the lack of an online presence.
When people could not physically attend church, social media was heavily relied on, and it is still used by those who cannot physically attend church.
The gospel can be preached and reach many people by the simple tap of a screen.
Acts 1:8 says:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
In Matthew 28:19-20, the Lord says,
“ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Social media helps us witness all that God is doing worldwide and make disciples, even in areas where we cannot physically reach people.
Social media shows the heart of your church!
It is one hundred per cent correct for people to say that we should not believe everything we see on social media. However, social media can also show the genuineness of your church.
Apart from the service times and prayer and fasting pictures and videos, social media can tell the story of your church and its members. The smiles, activities, and overall content posted on church socials are as important as the preaching, ugly crying, and powerful testimonies shared on these platforms.
Although it can seem odd when the media guys come and take a candid photo of you during worship, the rawness of that moment should be shared with others.
Yes, the views, likes, and page interaction are awesome, but the priority should be to show the culture of your church and the character of Jesus through what you post weekly.
Social media also shows the importance of fellowship in your church.
Many of the photos of post-service activities include having coffee with someone you have not seen since life.groups (small groups), a very much-needed hug from a friend after a long week, or a simple high-five between a Children’s Church leader and a parent fetching their child from Sunday school.
People are more likely to find interest in your page when you show people doing people-y
things outside of the main church service. Our love for Christ is shared through community, and fellowship is one of the best ways to achieve that sense of community. Let your social media portray that…it is what the people want (and need).
Social media is relational!
For churches, social media should be used for the same goal: spread the gospel and show the culture of your church while building community with others outside of your church. Many churches have yet to utilise social media. What better way to show them how it is done than to have it for your church? #LeadTheWay
Social media connects churches in many more ways than showing the rest of the world how the Sunday service was. Some pages can interpret a Bible verse in a totally different way than another. However, both interpretations are just as relevant and impactful.
It is not only beneficial to follow and interact with other churches online to build a good relationship with them, but it is also beneficial in that you can share resources and get ideas on how to improve your own church’s social media. There will always be hits and misses, but what better place to learn (and teach) than from others who share the same goal?
We must tell the world about Jesus in any and every creative way that we can, and one of the most effective ways to do that today is through social media.
For more info on our Media Ministry and how we use media as a tool to reach the lost, contact us!
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