If you are a church and/or Christian leader on social media, please heed the following warnings. This information is pertinent whether you are paid or volunteer, serving in a church or some other Christian organization.
Those of you who read my blog or listen to my podcasts know I am a strong proponent of Christian leaders utilizing social media. I have seen so many good things take place on the various platforms available. I have seen the gospel clearly shared and embraced on social media.
But social media is a two-edged sword. It can be used for good or great harm. And it can harm the ministries of those in Christian leadership. So, whether your platform is a blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google Plus, or many others, please note these seven warnings. Indeed, it is my prayer that you will heed these seven warnings.
- Consider anything you say on social media to be permanent. Yes, you can delete or scrub regretful things you have said on social media but, more times than not, the information can still be retrieved. And countless people take screen shots the moment they see something unwisely posted.
- You can be misunderstood often on social media. The readers or viewers usually cannot see your body language. They don’t know your humor or sarcasm. If you have any question about something you will post, don’t post it.
- Emoticons are not sufficient to soften what you have posted. In fact, emoticons are so ubiquitous now that many readers ignore them.
- Attacks on other people’s character or positions are considered cowardly by many. The reader or the viewer typically sees the person writing the information as one who hides behind a keyboard or microphone. They wonder if the writer would have the courage to say the same things in person.
- Too many Christian leaders are posting on social media in the heat of emotional moments. If you are angry or otherwise agitated, take a 24-hour break from social media. If not, you may regret it later.
- Churches and other Christian organizations are checking social media of Christian leaders. It has become more commonplace for churches and Christian organizations to do a social media background check of potential candidates. And I recently conversed with a pastor who was fired from his church because of something he posted on Facebook. And remember, at the risk of being redundant, most of the words or photos or videos you have posted are permanently recorded.
- The non-Christian world is watching Christians attack each other on social media. Our Christian witness is compromised again and again by our social media actions. When we say or write scathing attacks on others, non-believers see us as hypocritical, inconsistent, and unworthy of emulating.
You might be surprised how many people are watching you on social media. And you might be surprised how many people have been hurt and angered by Christian leaders on social media. You might also be surprised how many gospel-sharing opportunities have been forfeited by unwise things posted on social media.
Be wise. Be gracious. Be kind. And be Christ-like.
Let me hear what you think of this issue.
Posted on August 4, 2014
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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100 Comments
Timely post. I came here from twitter after passing many tweets about whether or not we should or should not forgive Mark Driscoll.
I would add, though, it isn’t just non-Christians watching. The world is watching. Those young and old in their faith. The devoted and the jaded. Those questioning why they come and those that never miss a day. Teens ready to walk away. Couples in crisis, afraid to share the reality of their pain because they see how we treat our own; so they choose to seek help from the Oprah or even worse, no one at all. We shouldn’t just use caution in our conduct online and in real life- it’s ALL real life these days- because we are meant to be salt. We are meant to be light. We are meant to be hope. We are meant to be known by our love. Jesus is meant to be known by and through us because we are His body….
I love social media. I believe in good, challenging and difficult conversations, but we must as Andy Stanley says always ask ourselves first “What is the wise choice?” because the world is counting on us.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. I pray we rise to the challenge.
Thanks Amy.
I agree that the advent of electronic world wide communication has literally flung open wide the doors to evangelizing the world for Christ. Making it possible for literally anyone to fulfill there part in the great commission of spreading the Gospel. You could literally be a missionary in just about any location or with any group of people you wish;
at a fraction of the traditional missionary’s budget and be may be just as effective, if not more so.
So true.
Thom Rainer hits one deep to left field. It’s back. Way back. It’s GONE! A homerun for Rainer.
The crowd cheers as he rounds the bases.
Well done, Dr. Rainer!
Honored by the metaphor, Dave!
For the younger gen of church leaders as well as us older ones, this is sound advice on this ever-emerging vehicle of communication. A wakeup call as to the potential impact – positive and otherwise – social media holds for us. Thanks, Thom, for a another sound word.
Thanks Rodney.
If you write the proper things… the fact that such words have a hisorical record should be a blessing… not something of which to warn a pastor. With those who write harmful things…the archival nature of the internet is helpful to the laity because it reveals the heart if the writer.
Well said, Marcia.
Very wise indeed. This is something that recently has become a serious issue within the fellowship of the saints and in some sense, the church needs to realize that the sins of gossip, slander, and anger can be manifest in social interactions online. For this reason, we are prayerfully considering an addendum to our documents to include an understanding that online behavior and division is actionable by church discipline.
To the praise of His glorious grace,
James
Good word, James.
Thank you, Thom! I’m getting so tired of hearing people, especially ministers, dismiss their bad online behavior because “you can’t read my body language.” It’s not as if writing is a newfangled medium that came along with Facebook and Twitter. Writing is mankind’s second oldest mode of communication, after all
The truth is, when you speak something in a face-to-face conversation, it’s out there. But when you write something, you can edit it before you hit “enter”, “send” or “tweet”. Lack of body language is not an excuse for thoughtless writing.
Thanks again for the thoughtful post, as always.
Thank you, Karl.
I’m so glad God had a hand in inventing social media. It makes you wonder how the church ever got it’s message out for 2000 years without it. I have a twitter account but I think the world would be a better place without social media.
A gentleman snapped a picture of me this past Sunday in church and uploaded it onto Facebook with some disparaging comments. A few hours and very few responses later, he deleted the post. After reading your article, I really wished I had screen shot the post and kept it for keepsake!
I’m sorry for you, Gideon. Hang in there.
Interjecting Social Media in a church body as the main mode and source of information carves out a big piece of the pie called “Senior Adults.” This has happened in my church (even though well-intended) resulting in a feeling of isolation and hurt. Many have chosen to move to different churches but continue to grieve the loss of the place of worship they held so dear. I realize your warnings had more to do with the leadership connection but know that many, many pastors view your meaningful articles and advise. Hopefully my input will be read and absorbed by SOME.
Thanks Sue!
This is a wise and helpful post.
Thanks Zachary.