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!
RT @ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/nRym8sqECk #20churches #ourCOG
RT @ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/nRym8sqECk #20churches #ourCOG
RT @20churches: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/HfxcKqTO2m #20churches #ourCOG
RT @ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/nRym8sqECk #20churches #ourCOG
RT @ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/nRym8sqECk #20churches #ourCOG
“@ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/4Kg3VII2m3 #20churches #ourCOG”//A good read!
RT @MTPropes: “@ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/4Kg3VII2m3 #20churches #ourCOG”//A good read!
RT @MTPropes: “@ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/4Kg3VII2m3 #20churches #ourCOG”//A good read!
RT @MTPropes: “@ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/4Kg3VII2m3 #20churches #ourCOG”//A good read!
RT @MTPropes: “@ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/4Kg3VII2m3 #20churches #ourCOG”//A good read!
RT @MTPropes: “@ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/4Kg3VII2m3 #20churches #ourCOG”//A good read!
RT @ChurchInfluence: 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/nRym8sqECk #20churches #ourCOG
A good word for pastors, ministers & Christians. 7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/IOgCVXG89j via @churchinfluence
Church leaders here is a simple but truthful aid in the use of social media. http://t.co/RJbhjgz6Ze
Wise and practical advice – Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/GbqDF1uwYI
RT @DarrenSchalk: Wise and practical advice – Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/GbqDF1uwYI
RT @DarrenSchalk: Wise and practical advice – Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/GbqDF1uwYI
Good advice for all believers:
7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/GYxF9OzYrx via @churchinfluence
RT @jerry_madden: Good advice for all believers:
7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/GYxF9OzYrx via @churchinfluence
RT @jerry_madden: Good advice for all believers:
7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/GYxF9OzYrx via @churchinfluence
[…] “7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media” ChurchInfluence.com (August 11, 2014). […]
7 Warnings for Church Leaders on Social Media http://t.co/VNHJAzENxD via @churchinfluence
Terry Wiles Joe Absher 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.
More true words have not been spoken.
The facts remain the same.
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. Donald Phillips
And because someone “likes” a statement doesn’t mean they agree whole cloth.
sounds like them new Social Media Churches for liberal Christians http://churchinfluence.com/social-media-churches/
bro Jim Price 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.
The hatred of this present world has deeply infected the house of God. The number of casualties are growing exponentially.
It is time we followed the method of the Apostle Paul who said, “ I determined to not know anything…except Christ crucified”.
To enter the political debate, is a mission that God has not called us into. Yet we must do our best to protect the flock that the Holy Spirit has given us oversight of. The best way to communicate to the world is through compassionate preaching of the cross.
There’s lots of hatin in the church and in this group
I don’t hate nobody.
Its okay if they want to be wrong.
Terry Wiles It has been said 70% evangelicals entered the political debate with their 2016 vote. Is this true or what?
It is always true when someone casts a ballot.
It’s hard to hit like. Because I don’t like it. But our own could be born in something far out also. But the thing is. I don’t want that doctrine spread. That’s exalts what would happen I pray God please open their eyes, that they would see the truth of Your Word and be saved. We need to pray for America. And Israel. And all our countries. To see the light and be saved before your coming.