You may be one of those people who hate Facebook.
Or who don't use it. Or who think it is only for people "too old," "too young," too whatever. But the reality is that people use Facebook and other social media to scope out a church before they ever consider attending.
Once study found that 72% of churchgoers use social media to research churches and 57% have visited a church's Facebook page before attending a service.
If your church does not have an appealing -- and up-to-date -- Facebook presence, you are not reaching those people.
Here are some of the things that people will look to a church's Facebook page to find out:
- Photos of people who already attend. Do they look like they are having fun? What are they wearing? Are there people in any of the photos who "look like me?"
- Is this a church that does things I am interested in? Is it active and engaged in the world or more like a closed club?
- People looking for a church may not be Episcopalian (in fact, they probably are not Episcopalian!). Can your Facebook page help them to understand about your church's values?
What does this have to do with Stewardship?
A strong social media presence is not just about attracting new members; it's also about nurturing existing ones. When people feel connected to their church community online, they are more likely to be engaged and supportive of the church's mission. This includes being generous with their time, talents, and finances.
Social media can be a powerful tool for faithful stewardship. By using social media to promote the church's mission, connect with potential members, and nurture the faith of existing members, we can use this platform to make a real difference in the world.
By using Facebook strategically, churches can not only reach new members but also deepen the commitment of existing ones, ultimately strengthening the entire church community.
