How will you influence people on Social Media?

I don’t know about you but last week was depressing. Not because of the result of an election or two but because of what happened AFTER the election. There is a stark divide in our country. And although that isn’t anything new because our country is over 200 million people strong living in America, it is discouraging to see how much anger, resentment, bitterness and sadness came out of the election this past Tuesday on social media.

Social media has extreme power. It has the power to make people laugh and feel good. For instance a few of us did this video to promote turning back the clock.

 

 

I got a ton of great responses as it made people laugh and definitely remember to turn back their clocks. This video as it was viewed over 12,000 times on Facebook.

Opposite of using social media to leave a positive impact is to use it to bring upon mean spirited stuff. I won’t actually post an image of something negative here as I’m sure everyone has seen their fair share of it recently.

As someone who uses social media, YOU have a tremendous opportunity to influence people with everything you post or share on your personal Facebook page. You can influence them to do good or you can influence them to do not so good stuff. You can choose to encourage and inspire them or you can choose to get people all riled up to be angry and upset.

As a minister there is never a time when we are not “on duty” and so our Facebook and other social media postings should ALWAYS be viewed as an extension of our ministry. What we say on social media will influence people in one direction or another.

That being said, how will you influence the people around you on social media from this day forward? Will you use your influence to inspire and encourage people or will you use it to offer conflict and continue to press issues that spawn hate and anger and resentment? What you post and how you respond to people will determine that.

My encouragement is to use it for good and inspire people to do better. Anything less would be a shame.

What do you think? How are you feeling about what is happening on social media recently? How are you using your influence? Share below or on social media using #ymsidekick to share. 

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Tom Pounder

A father of 4, Tom is the Student Minister and Online Campus Pastor at New Life Christian Church in Chantilly, VA. He blogs, vlogs, and podcasts regularly about student and online ministry stuff.

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