If the leaders of the Catholic church are advocating social media use for Catholic outreach, shouldn't we evangelical Christians who are passionate about spreading solid Gospel truth (Christ, grace and faith alone) be engaged in a social media strategy for our ministries? Several years ago, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged Catholics to use the web and social media to reach others. In a video released by the Vatican on YouTube, he says in part, “So that the Church and its message continue to be present in the great “Mars Hill” of social communications as defined by John Paul II and so that it is not a stranger to those spaces where … people search for answers and meaning in their lives, you must find new ways to spread voices and images of hope through the ever-evolving communications system that surrounds our planet.” Pope Francis has recently said much the same as recorded in this article from the National Journal. Due to this from the Pope, the Vatican added a YouTube account, a personal Facebook page for Pope Benedict then, and for Pope Francis now, an iPhone app, and a Facebook app. Outside of the Vatican, many of those in the Church have heard the "call" from the Pope and started blogging and creating other online resources like Open Source Catholic. If the Catholics have aggressively pursued the use of social media, smartphone apps, mobile internet access, and so on, shouldn't we be doing the same in order to reach people "where they are" with Biblical Gospel truth? Too many of us have continued to only use old outreach options such as “door to door”, newspaper ads, radio spots, phone calling, or postcards. Not that these are wrong, but if they are effective, they are also expensive, require a lot of effort and/or often annoy as many people or more than they reach. Why should we use social media and the internet to help people find our church, school, ministry, and the Truth itself? Well, because that is where people look for information – the information highway. People are on the internet and specifically on social media - throughout the day, everyday. We can reach them in their homes, waiting rooms, buses, airports, taxis, etc. with the true Gospel message of salvation through Christ faith and grace alone. Is your ministry involved in this outreach medium? Is your ministry part of the conversation in social media. Can those who are using social media to find answers, truth, and local help find you? If not, don’t miss the opportunity. Get involved today. Put a strategy together and use this mostly FREE and highly highly utilized communication channel to expand your reach. If you need help or advice, don’t hesitate to contact us at PurposeLaunch Marketing. Our purpose is launching yours. Click Here to use the Church website evaluation tool on our site. Click here to read today's edition of "The Fuel Tank." A regular dose of articles from across the web to help you with your social media and online promotion strategies. You can have it delivered to your inbox if you'd like. Check out a recent project for a Christian school at www.DiscoverTri-City.com . Comments are closed.
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