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.
Very wise counsel. I have read too many posts filled with self-righteous wrath, others with questionable photographs, yet others with strange doctrinal positions, and angry political positions. Does it pass the Christian purity test, the Christian kindness test, the Christian citizenship test? And, “Am I having to justify or otherwise rationalize what I said?” Thank you, Thom Rainer, for this post.
Thank you, Rich.
IT CAN GET YOU FIRED. It has gotten pastors fired. There is sometimes a divide between what is said in church and that said on social media. At times, this is understandable. The problems faced by younger people and the problems faced by older people can be significantly different. Pastors may want to be moderate and help the younger generations through social media and answer questions and yet have to remain conservative and/or toe the denominational line in church to please their donors and bosses. This attempt to reach younger people can appear to the older people/leadership to be a lie.
However, I put some of the blame for the need for a two-pronged approach on church leadership and/or denominational policy. If leadership were to be accepting of different opinions and admit that the younger people had different types of questions and problems then there would not be so many problems with pastors talking on social media. The leadership should work to get the older people/donors on board so that they are aware of what is going on and not threaten to withhold donations when they find about the pastor’s efforts on social media. This discovery is what can lead to the pastor being fired.
Good points, Mark.
Social media content can also be used to eliminate candidates for positions in the church.
Sometimes for the right reasons and sometimes for wrong reasons.
What a truthful post. As always thanks bro. Thom for constantly getting truth into our hands and minds.
Thanks so much, Doug.
Number four is something I wish more pastors would understand. I wish pastors would realize that the person they are calling out (typically a mega church pastor or politician) is never going to actually read their blog. All it does is undermine the respect your congregation has for you. Social Media is read by all make sure it is edifying.
Good word, Joshua.
Also don’t assume that when you say hurtful things in an effort to be humorous, that it won’t be seen by the person, especially celebrities. Always write with the thinking that the person is reading it. That is if you do believe in reaching unbelievers with the love of the Gospel.
This past year while discussing human trafficking on twitter Natalie Grant’s name was mentioned. Something was said about it seeming too trendy since she gave voice. None of us followed her and she wasn’t tagged or the subject matter. Suddenly she showed up in the conversation to clarify some things. She was completely gracious and lovely. And even though we hadn’t said anything bad technically, it still had that uncomfortable feeling of discussing someone and realizing they were standing behind you the whole time.
Good word, Melody.
With all due respect, pastors are commanded to refute those who contradict (Titus 1:9) and protect their flocks from wolves (Acts 20:28-30). Calling out false teachers such as Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes is a necessary and important aspect of pastoral ministry, far too often neglected for pragmatic reasons, ultimately to the detriment of the congregation.
With equally due respect Josh, the trouble is that many (church leaders included) either rebuke with a mean spirit, fail to perform due diligence by first looking into the Word of God, or fail to quote God’s Word in the rebuke. My point is that we are not God. We are not the Christ. Anything we say should come from His Word in order to have any authority.
Also beware of posting links to sites with undiscerning advertisements. I posted a link to a secular article which had okay ads. When I returned to the article several days later the ad had been changed to one that was practically pornographic.
Rather cut and paste the relevant quote and give the source rather than paste the link.
Wow. Thanks for the heads up.
Pr0n is in the eye of the beholder
The Internet advertizing market is based, in theory, on targetted marketing. Specifucally, the web searches that are made, the content of visited sites, posted comments, and the like. As such, the theory goes, only adds based on the viewers specific interests are seen. Consequently, if pr0n in adds pops up, it is because of visits to sites that feature that content. In practice, the add agencies will throw out whatever they deem acceptable, and of interest to you.
If you watch on sermon on Exodus 34:15-16, advertisers will show adds for houses of ill repute, because of the content of those verses. By their (the advertiser’s) logic, you are a user of such services. If lucky, it will be a still image of the undraped female form. If unlucky, it will depict Numbers 25:1-3, in living colour and sound, with no way to turn anything off.
The best defence against pr0n in adds, is to block _all_ adds, and eliminate as many trackers as possible. Ideally, this is done at the router/dns lookup level.
I’m a 50+ woman that does not watch porn and goes to the trouble wipe cookies ect. occasionally.
I have seen plenty of ads for other stories on newspaper sites, that while not technically porn, are bad enough it keeps me from posting the link.
Only some ads are directed based on surfing habits, not all.
Two things
1. I would also add that leaders shouldn’t try to be sly and have a second online presence. It will get found out.
2. I’m a straight women with 3 kids and am the only user of my devices, yet many adds i get are for singles dating services with local girls. I don’t thing ads are as frequently targeted as some may think, at least not yet. It’s still a problem and good advice not to link if you’re not positive of the ad content.
Wise and timely counsel Thom!! Thanks for your contributions to Christian thinking, in a day when it is sorely lacking. BTW, being a fellow RTR fan, your football/church list was very convicting. I shared it with our Grace family last week, but of course I had to instruct them to replace the word “football” with basketball for it to be culturally relevant here in KY!!
That’s funny and true!
I think one of the saddest consequences is the way careless or angry posts interfere with the discipleship pastors and others are trying to do. Conflict is an opportunity for discipleship and consequent growth. But venting frustration in the meantime just gins up everybody’s emotions and makes level-headed response less likely.
So true.
Great points! My pastor has unfortunately abused social media so much it has led to much division in the church and his eventual resignation. It’s been a hard, painful process. Social media is a great resource and can be used well…then again it can be used to do great harm. Churches must carefully monitor their pastor’s social media accounts. If there are concerns they must be addressed firmly and quickly before it gets out of control. As we’re finding out, the testimony of the church can be greatly damaged
So sad.
Excellent insight Dr Rainer. It breaks my heart when a pastor or leader becomes a pulpit-bully, much less a cyber-bully. Yet so many other pastors spread “grace and truth” through these emerging channels of communication.
Shame on us if we ignore or abuse our influence on social media.
Love these practical blogs – blog on!
Thanks Mark.
As usual, you are on point! Thanks and I am going to share this with my staff and congregation.
Thank you, Robert.
Great words for pastors, staff, and churches! I know of pastors and staff members who have either been fired or were severely reprimanded for posts on social media sites! I am going to share this with staff and church members as well! Thanks Dr. Rainer!
Thanks Buddy.
A leading family left my church over an inappropriate Facebook status by another leader in my church. It was meant as a joke but wasn’t funny to them. Good information.
Thanks Doctor Rainer.
You are welcome!
So true. Jokes are not jokes to everyone.
This is a wise and helpful post.
Thanks Zachary.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Great reminder! I’ve had to go back and further explain a recent FaceBook post because people were left to assume or infer too much because I was too brief in my post. Thankfully it has led to a healthy online discussion but it also showed me to exactly say what you exactly mean as people will fill in the blanks with their own assumptions – not necessarily what you meant. Thanks!!!
It is also worth noting that people now often check out church websites as well as social media BEFORE attending your church, so keep an eye on it. A post from someone not thinking might hinder someone from visiting your church.
Good point.
Of course people do it. The website is probably the most important thing for churches to reach people new to an area or people looking for a new church.
Worth while cautions. There is a value, however, even in words that are foolishly and even hatefully made. Some years ago a Baptist historian wrote an article which was critical of Baptists in the 1700s for the very things mentioned in your article. The basis for his complaints was an account written by an Episcopalian who saw the Baptist clashes over issues troubling them as repugnant to say the least. However, I hastened to point out that while Baptists were acting out of order as they usually seem to do that this was more an indication of the fact that they were free and involved in a creative ferment. While they were fussin’, they were participating in the First and Second Great Awakenings, launching the modern missionary movement, uniting Separate and Regular Baptists, persuading General Baptists who were neither very missionary nor evangelistic to become Regular Baptists (believers in particular redemption or limited atonement as some call it as opposed to the General Baptists and their general or universal atonement) who were both, utilizing both educated and uneducated men in the ministry, creating one of the early anti-slavery societies, helping to launching the greatest nation on earth at that time and since, establishing our education institutions, and more. Freedom often leaves us open to the charge of extremism and even hatefulness, and, sometimes, it is deserved. On the other hand, the fact that such stuff can occur, in spite of its negativity, can indicate that the people doing it are free. Additionally, the nails sticking up get nailed down and rough places smoothed out as peaceful, more harmonious, and Christian conduct begins to prevail in the midst of the wrangles. What we have to watch out for is that we do not allow our desire for being peaceful to keep us from speaking out, even sternly, if the situation warrants it. One of our precursors in the CR was dragged from a SBC platform, when he protested the departure from the truth then becoming manifest in our seminaries. That gentleman had an earned doctorate from Southern, and he showed how in one book he wrote that the very words of John Locke were used in the BFM of ‘1925 and 1963 to describe the perfection of the whole Bible over which we would battle sternly from 1963-1990. I am still mindful of those cases where Conservatives did violate the principles of conduct in their drive to win which did the Bible believers’ cause no good, and I count myself among those who believe the Book.
The rule of thumb we use on social media posts is …
We only post things we’d be happy saying, playing or displaying to the congregation in church. (We say congregation to stress the point that a post is not initially a 1 to 1 conversation – it is a 1 to many conversation– as several people are hearing or seeing a post at the same time).
Our pastor has encouraged us to tweet and use Facebook to share whatever we are impressed to share during our service. It has proven to be very successful. As a minister’s wife, I can say that I have begun to think long and hard about sharing anything that could be perceived as controversial. If it isn’t Biblical or personal, then I hesitate and think long and hard before posting. When I do share something political, I either do so as a link to my blog OR with a “warning” in the beginning of the post. While my husband is a Chaplain and not in direct service of a Church, he will be again someday. He does NOT have a FB page for these very reasons. I would say as a Pastor it is probably a very good idea to not attack anyone for any reason, political or otherwise, on FB or twitter or instagram. Great reminder.
The internet may be telling us something that we have tended to deny since the beginning of time. What we say, no matter the medium, influences others. Without realizing it we can destroy someone’s, and our own, self-esteem and future. I think King Solomon had a thought or two on this subject.
The other way that pastors use social media is to talk politics. Personally some of the political posts I see really must confuse the lost (and the saved) in the meaning of the gospel. The one that really gets me the most is pastors posting on gun rights. I don’t have an issue with owning guns but with confusing the gospel.
Regarding any communication (verbal, written, social media), a good rule of thumb is:
-Is it true?
-Is it kind?
-Is it necessary?
This is the filter I try to use, and question #3 has prevented me from posting a lot over the years.
What I drives me crazy is when people professing to be Christian use profanity on social media. As you said, many (believers and non-christians) are reading what we write.
A celebrity pastor lost his temper with me when I said I was disappointed and wouldn’t be buying anymore books. Short and to the point. It must of hit him wrong. He deleted the tweet immediately but you know what? It still went to my inbox and I saw it. God saw it.
I’ve had to apologize so many times for misunderstanding something or taking a bad day out on someone because of being convicted by the Holy Spirit about my bad behavior. Why don’t pastors ever feel that?
Awesome post. thank you for writing.
Thank you, EH.
This is also good advice for anyone about posting on social media.
My thoughts exactly…especially #7. It’s sad to me when I see a brother/sister in Christ posting things that really harm their witness, especially when it has been preceded or followed by a scripture post or something about the wonders of Jesus, church, etc.
I looked at the twitter stream of a local pastor, the closest congregation of the denomination I grew up in. In 100 posts over a year there was no mention of Christ or Jesus. But there were lots of political tweets I didn’t agree with. The political tweets weren’t, say, pointers to scholarly analyses. It was the nasty and easily-disprovable-by-Google-search kind of stuff.
What kind of a Gospel is likely preached from that pulpit?
While I get that this post was addressed specifically to Church leaders using social media, all believers should keep these admonishments in mind as we post on social media.
Thank you?
Thought provoking and timely indeed. The Social Media and the electronic platform truly presents a great opportunity for winning souls, counseling, and encouraging people in a non traditional format.
No matter the forms of restraints placed on users Pastors and Followers will still reflect our humanity in postings. This weaknesses are common to all. It’s my opinion that the benefits of the electronic platforms on the Kingdom far outweighs abuses associated with it.
Our fears should not discourage the great work being carried out by grace.