Why Social “Sharing” is vital for a Minister
Ever wonder if what you share on social media matters? I have wondered that before especially in this very hostile climate in social media these days. It seems like less and less conversations are happening and more and more yelling and stating your “right” opinion to others who just don’t “get it”.
As crazy as social media can be these days I believe that we can be hope to people and respond in positive ways to trolls and the negativity. One of the ways we can specifically offer hope on social media is by sharing posts. Social sharing is where we take a ministry related post from our Church, ministry or ministry organization and share it with our social media accounts.
Why is it important that we do this? It’s important because of the image below. Rose is one of my neighbors who I have had tons of conversations about life and Church. When I share our Church’s live stream each week it gives Rose and a ton of other people the opportunity to hear about God…some for the very first time.
Every time WE share about what is going on in our Church and the great stuff that is happening, we give God an opportunity to reach them. Again, with all the negativity on social media, people want to hear positive stuff. They want to see that good is happening in the world AND they want to be apart of it.
How to share
Sharing content from your Church’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts is easy. For instance, on Facebook, all you have to do is click the “Share” arrow under the image or video you want to share. It will give you options on sharing. For instance, on Facebook under every post it will give you the options to “Like”, “Comment” or “Share”. Simply click the “Share” button and share it to your page. You may want to write a comment telling people about it or you can just simply share it without any comment. On Twitter, all you have to do is click the “Retweet” button below the post. You can also take an Instagram post. Click the “…” on the top right of the picture you want to share and it will give you options to post.
As social media networks continue to advance and evolve, social sharing will become easier and easier. You can even share on Snapchat now. So keep an eye out for new ways you can be sharing.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that sharing your live stream, a Bible verse, highlights from events that you have going on from the Church for the community or even a point or 2 from your service can go a long way with people you are friends or neighbors with. You never know who is seeking God at any moment. They may have wanted to ask you for a long time about God but maybe too afraid to ask. By you sharing, they may be able to discover and hear about God. If we don’t share we miss opportunities that are easy wins.
You don’t have to share everything all the time…that would cause people to tune you out. However, choose specific and strategic things you can share consistently enough where people have the opportunity to hear about God and hear positive, encouraging things in a world that have become very negative and angry. Choose hope and see where God leads it.
If you want to keep learning more on how to use digital tools to reach more people for Christ (aka becoming a Digital Missionary), join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group.
How have you seen the value of social sharing in your life or ministry? Share it below or on social media using #ymsidekick when you share so we can all be encouraged and inspired.
