10 Easy Steps for Faithbooking Your Faith

People who don't understand the value of social media see no point in "wasting time" connecting with others online.  However, as Christian leaders, we have an opportunity to encourage believers to spread out and focus on sharing our faith with those who may need it most.  All too often we've got too many "fellows in the same ship" if you know what I mean. Online communication is really a modern-day parallel for getting to know your neighbors.   

Since the Good News is meant to be shared, it will only serve the Kingdom if we use online means to augment our physical world relationships.

Facebook is a perfect example of an easy, free way to connect with others and share your faith.  If you think it's costly in terms of time, you're mistaken.  It's an investment.  In fact, using online communication is the fastest, cheapest way to connect with large groups of people who you might never have a chance to keep in regular contact with were it not for your electronic link.  This is old news to many people but sometimes Christians clump together instead of looking for inventive ways to spread out.

If you've avoided Facebook based on MySpace's reputation, here are 10 simple steps to get you started:

1. Repent!  Realize you've been apathetic or cynical about social media because, well mainly because, people put down what they don't understand.  Rethink; go another way.
2. Join Facebook.  Signing up is easy & free.  All you need is an email address and a desire to build relationships.
3. Create your personal profile.* This can be as simple or complex as you like.  It can take as little as 5 minutes or you can get wordy.   
4. Invite your friends to add you.  Searching for your friends is very easy, especially if someone you know has already added many of your acquaintances. 
5. Join groups that reflect parts of you, your interests, profession, education, geographic area, etc.  Anything you find interesting will connect you with others. 
6. Feed your page.  If you blog, make sure you syndicate.  RSS (really simple syndication) feed apps. for Facebook are easy to find & use.  Try Blog RSS Feed Reader.
7. Mingle on purpose.**  Remember you want to connect with friends but also stretch out beyond the familiar.   
8. Add events that you think others might be interested in hearing about or attending.  Anything counts, seminars, financial classes, scrapbooking parties, etc.
9. Create a group.  The options are endless. I've seen unique examples including genealogy groups, reunion groups, memorial groups, elementary alums, etc.
10. Check your page at regular intervals.  Use it or loose it.  If you don't check in and respond, people will loose interest in their ability to connect with you.    Plus, your home page is where the news feed lives.  It's how you get current information on all the people you want to be connected with.

* If you don't know how to add your picture to your profile just ask anyone under 21.

** You can add me as a friend or any of the other Digital team members.  Don't be shy to ask for connections, this is how relationships multiply and your sphere of influence grows into a community you facilitated.  And sharing our faith within our personal communities should be our goal.

And lastly, some Christian leaders are disenchanted with Facebook and are deleting their accounts.  (See all the comments at Tony Morgan Live.)  But, all the folks who commented agreement have personal web sites, or other ways of connecting with people electronically (i.e. - blogs, MySpace, Twitter, etc.) so don't give up on online opportunities.

- Cynthia Ware, The Digital Sanctuary 

Comments

[Chris S.]

You'll also notice that although Tony contemplated canceling his Facebook account, he didn't because the value outweighed the challenges.

[Cynthia]

Chris - With dj's permission, I cross-posted this at The Digital Sanctuary and got some positive feedback about using Facebook for ministry purposes.

Over time we will all likely move on from blogging, twittering, social networking and the like. They'll evolve.

The important thing is that we are paying attention to the new media and displaying a spirit of participation. This gives us a voice so we can communicate the timeless truths of God in a way that's relevant (their norms) to the culture we live in. Not to mention, anticipating what tomorrow's generation will expect in terms of "conversation'.

[Tony Whittaker]

These are great insights Cynthia. I'd like to use them at Internet Evangelism Day's page on social networking at InternetEvangelismDay.com/social-networking.php if I may.

blessings

Tony