Teddy James

AFA Journal staff writer

May 2011 – Everyone who uses e-mail has received a forwarded message that ends with the statement, “Send this to 10 friends if you really love Jesus.” While some of these e-mails are inspirational and encouraging, is a forwarded message really the best way to use the Internet for spreading of the gospel? Are there better and more personal ways to use new media to share the love of Jesus? In a word, yes.

There is a growing trend among Christians to find creative ways of using social media as a tool for evangelism and communication. This concerted effort is made for several reasons, one being that 30% of the world’s Internet users are on Facebook*, with the exclusion of China where Facebook is banned.

Is there a way to use this technology in furthering the kingdom of God? Cardinal Sean Brady of Ireland seems to think so. In 2008 he called on Irish Catholics to openly speak positive prayers via Twitter* to all their online followers. He seemed to grasp the far reaching possibilities available to every believer.

The strength of social media gospel
The phenomenon known as social media refers to any computer program that is created for the purpose of social interaction with user-generated content. Because people are grouped together by both geographical placement and common interests, opportunities for ministry abound.

Steve Tybor of 8 Days of Hope uses social media to let people across the country know about emergency relief efforts. He said, “Social media has been a great tool to get the word out when God has opened a door for us to go to any area affected by disaster. We have used it to broadcast who we are and what God has called us to do. It has also helped us communicate our prayer needs to people who are willing to stand in the gap for us as we prepare to go on a mission trip.”

While Tybor has a national relief and restoration ministry and uses the common interests grouping of social media, there is a way to use geographical grouping as a tool for ministry as well. Churches, both large and small, are using social media to learn about ministry needs in their communities, promote events, receive prayer requests and praises, and serve as communication tools among members for consistent fellowship and encouragement.

Some pastors use Facebook status updates and Tweets to inform their congregations of upcoming sermon topics or scriptural passage, to be taught so their members can prepare and study on their own. Youth pastors use Facebook’s calendar application to remind students of camp deadlines and upcoming events.

Brandon Wilemon, a youth pastor in Tupelo, Mississippi, said, “I use social media to send small messages to the masses. I also use it to monitor a student’s life. I can see if he or she is the same person I see in class on Wednesday night. It also gives me an opportunity to see what style of music they like and the pop culture they are into.”

The weakness of social media
Just as with any new technology, there are weaknesses in using social media as a primary way of spreading the gospel. Namely, social interaction over the Internet does not and cannot replace personal relationships.

While a quick note to friends over Facebook can bring a measure of comfort to hurting hearts, it can never replace your hand on their shoulders. In a world where virtual interaction seems to be replacing physical conversation, it is more important than ever for the church to have a real presence outside its own four walls.

Scooter Noland, another youth pastor in Tupelo, Mississippi, said, “Occasionally, you get a comment that has to be removed, so the need to monitor content is constant. Also, one of the greatest weaknesses is the lack of interpersonal relationship skills that an entire generation is developing.”

Social media, with all its improvements and re-connections with long-lost friends, can never replace true, deep, intimate fellowship. However, for the wise and astute believer, social media’s strengths can accentuate an existing and vibrant ministry or publicize a new ministry trying to get into the streets of the real world. Many are seeing social media as a way to fulfill the Great Commission in ways never before dreamed of. For the first time in history, the church can reach across the world with nothing more than the click of a mouse. So go first to your Jerusalem, then your Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of your world, physical or virtual.   

*Facebook is the largest social networking site. Over 500 million users connect with their network of “friends” to share pictures and videos, send messages and play games. On Twitter, users communicate via “tweets,” which are messages no longer than 140 characters. Users are encouraged to follow friends to receive updates when someone sends a tweet. Both can be accessed using a computer or mobile device.