Facebook and Outreach

[James Nored]

Here is an excellent article from Slate sent to me Rebecca Hope on Facebook. The article tells of Facebook's estraordinary growth. The author makes the case that it is now making a statement not to have an account on Facebook, because soon just about everyone will.
How do you think we can use Facebook to help in the church's mission?

[Debra]

I've started posting my devos under "My notes" on my facebook page. I actually got the idea from a guy named Chris Plekenpol who is basically hosting his own biblical topics and opening them up for discussion to his friends. For those people who might not want to join what they view as a "church site" facebook can be a place to reach "non-churched" people or those who consider themselves "spiritual, but not religious."

[Debra]

PS It also allows me the freedom to talk about biblical ideas with my students without crossing the stupid boundaries the gov't has set in place regarding the separation of church and state! HA!

[Rebecca Hope]

I have been working with the Young Professionals (ages 18 - 30+) group at our church for a short time now and using Facebook has had an explosive impact on this group. I cannot think of any other way that is more effective at reaching out to our visitors and members (in particular to this genre) than this medium. This week I have befriended 2 visitors (of the Young Professional bracket) who I am hoping will come to see High Pointe as a home and have also invited them to join our Young Professionals facebook group called 'The Zoo'. They were visiting and had not attended class yet, but they were seemingly eager and by inviting them to the facebook group they can 'see' that we have stuff going on here at High Pointe. It's like having a virtual class of people online.

[James Nored]

Debra, going to Facebook to discuss spiritual things is very "missional"--going where people are to bless them and share the good news. I have concluded that, just as in the real world, in the virtual world we need to be present in different kinds of spaces--the public sphere, transitional spheres (mix of Christians and non-Christians), and Christian spheres.

[James Nored]

Thanks, Rebecca, for sharing with us how you are using the Facebook technology to reach others. Obviously, this is a natural medium for young professionals.

[Mike Eppinette]

Facebook and MON have allowed me to really feel a part of High Pointe while I live 300 miles east. It was a strange feeling meeting people I had never seen face to face when I visited Highpointe, but I could look throughout the audience and see faces that I knew from the site. It was some kind of reversal feeling shaking hands with strangers that really weren't strangers at all. I'm trying to come up with an acronym to finish the M.O.N. with K.E.Y. and that would go along with the Zoo group.

[James Nored]

Thanks Debra, for the ideas~

Here is a CNN news article on how people are using Twitter and Facebook to spread news items.

[David Duncan]

The instant messaging feature on Facebook has been wonderful for ministry. I have found, especially late at night, friends from around the world pop up and want to talk about spiritual issues. Often, it is because they don't feel comfortable asking questions in the churches or communities near them. I have found it to be a great resource for sharing and discussing faith.

[James Nored]

Hi David. Good to hear from you. Yes, we have found a way to be transparent--through the Internet. Ironic, isn't it? I think those late night chats are also meaningful to those who are single or divorced, and may help them deal with loneliness by chatting online with friends and new people.

David Duncan said:

The instant messaging feature on Facebook has been wonderful for ministry. I have found, especially late at night, friends from around the world pop up and want to talk about spiritual issues. Often, it is because they don't feel comfortable asking questions in the churches or communities near them. I have found it to be a great resource for sharing and discussing faith.