Should we minister on Facebook?

Well, considering that there are more than 400 million accounts, more than 50% of users check it at least daily, and over 5 billion pieces of content are shared weekly, it seems like a place to reach a lot of people.

Paul was all things to all people. With those stats, I do not think we can ignore Facebook. Some churches are starting to concentrate more on their Facebook presence then on their actual website.

There is a lot of functionality and customization that can be done on Facebook pages, can share discussion boards, photos, videos, can setup polls, setup events and ask to register,and link to other sites.

Plus, you can follow other churches, ministers, and ministries to see how they are interacting with their fans and followers.

Internet usage - Part 2

Continuing from my thought last week, what can/should the church do to reach people on the internet? Should the church use the internet?

Looking at the statistics, considering this is across all age groups and the next generations probably have even higher percentages, the answer to the second question is most definitely YES.

On the first question, I think we need to get personal testimonies and answers to questions that people have recorded and post them on video sharing sites. Be real on social network sites and share our faith through our lives there just like we should do in person.

Another idea is a discussion board for online Bible study.

Internet usage

Looking over some of the information The Pew Research has on internet usage and it is really amazing to see the percentage of people using different parts of the internet.

A small sample -
88% use a search engine to find information
86% look for a map of directions
83% look for medical or health information
81% look for information about a product or service they are thinking of buying
62% watch a streaming video
51% take a virtual tour of a location
47% use a social media site (Facebook, myspace, Twitter, LinkIn)
28% look for Religious information

So looking at these statistics, what does the church need to do in order to have an impact online? Seems as though putting the spiritual content out there is not the place to have the biggest impact or reach the largest group.

Instant communication - good or bad

Whether good or bad, there is no arguing that with today's technology we can stay current with information with in seconds from anyone of a number of places. Think how long it would take for all of the regimens involved in the Revolutionary or Civil war to get the message that the war was over. How long would it take for the passengers to travel by stagecoach from one state to another to visit with family.

Now we drive across states in a few hours, update statuses on Facebook and Twitter from our cellphones throughout the day, and have video conference calls for free with Skype, MSN, and AOL. I can follow a short term missions trips through a blog, get up to the minute news and commentary from all view points.

Yet with all this information at our fingertips, it seems as though we know less now then they did many years ago. Is it a matter of quality versus quantity? Are we getting too much surface knowledge without depth?

Facebook killing the church - don't think so

I read another blog where the blogger was blaming Facebook for the demise of the church. His theory was that Generation X would have left the church because it was tired of the "judgment" of the church, but the social aspect has kept them there. Generation Y is leaving because they can get the social aspect through Facebook, Twitter, Text messaging, so why bother going. This assumption made me think...

If people are going to church only for the social interaction, then they are going for the wrong reason. The purpose of the church is to celebrate and worship God as a local community and family of people. But is it not also a way to provide accountability and support for each other in love just as Christ told the sinners "go and sin no more"? If the church becomes concerned about people leaving because they feel "judged", do we run the risk of the church falling victim to political correctness?

So if the next generation is hanging out in social media, then let's be like Paul and be all things to all people. The church should be there, interacting, meeting them where they are, building a relationship with them, and use this medium to minister to them. Let the church use it to discuss Bible verses, to pray for people, and to be relational with people. Let's also use social media to schedule, announce, and remind them of events that are happening at the church. Because of the relationship we have on social media, we can skip the surfacey conversation when we see each other and be well on our way to building more authentic relationships.

Not high tech, but still interesting

OK, coming back to the blog with an interesting post. This group is having a Bible study in a pub in Utah. Just as Paul was all things to all people, Jesus ate with the tax collectors, these guys are getting together over a beer and discussing the Bible, creation, salvation, and Jesus. Why not? This is a better conversation in a bar then hearing the typical sports or sexuality. Worth a look at

http://beerandbible.tv/

Is social media real community?

I believe it can be and that it can either lead to people getting together in person or enhance in person relationships. Here is a great post discussing this.

http://bit.ly/6GMd1m