Simple Tech Week #2 : Using Facebook for Spiritual Purposes

Welcome to “Simple Tech Week!” My goal for the five posts this week is to share with  you five simple tech tools you can use to (1) connect with more people, and (2) get more out of technology in a simple way.

Facebook has changed the way our technological world communicates. It has been one of the most amazing stories we have ever seen in the history of communications, to watch a site like MySpace basically “die out,” but be replaced by a site that has grown to where everyone from teens to grandmothers use it daily. I assume that the vast majority of you who read this (in other words, every person but Leah) is on Facebook.

However, many people only use this tool for personal reasons, and I want to share with you some ways Facebook can be used for spiritual purposes.

1. Links to Christian sites/articles. In your status updates, why not link to encouraging sites? When I run through my news feed, I am blown away by all the links to “why Obama is bad” articles, or “why Republicans are ruining the country” sites. Instead, why not link to something that is truly important, like a spiritually encouraging article, or a favorite church website?

2. Positive status updates. It’s okay to be negative every now and again, but far too many Christians only update their status with bad news. Encourage us! Show us the good that God is doing in your life. Talk well of your family. If God is good, use this medium to share that with the world.

3. “Like” moral sites. The Facebook “like” button has become ubiquitous. We even have one on our site. A lot of Christians just “like” Coca-Cola and Disney, when they should be “liking” their home congregation, their favorite Christian website, or a blog…like ours! (You can “like” our site by clicking in the box on the right-hand side. I would like to see that get to 100 “likes” by the end of this year.) When someone looks at your Facebook page, what do they see that you “like”?

4. Join encouraging groups. I am in several groups on Facebook, such as Prayer Warriors and Lebanon Road church of Christ. Each of these is encouraging. I do not want to join groups that are bashing people all the time. I want to know how I can help and be helped by these connections.

5. Invitations to services/special projects. When your congregation is having a special service (VBS, retreat, Gospel Meeting, etc.) make a special event page for it on Facebook and invite people. It takes about 3 minutes to create such a page, and it gives exposure to all your friends, and beyond. It is also a good place to put pictures during/after the event.

6. Connect with others who are struggling. Of course, the idea behind “social media” is connection. Facebook is a great way to see when people are struggling and in difficult times, and then to actually step up and say a word of encouragement. Send a private message, or open up a chat with someone and help them. Step in just when many are probably stepping out.

7. “Study” via chat. This doesn’t happen often, but I have had a couple of Bible studies via Facebook chat. I try to limit these, honestly, because my #1 priority on Facebook is to stay connected to my family, friends, and Lebanon Road, but at times I feel it is necessary to help someone in a “study-like” environment.

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What are some other ways you use Facebook for spiritual purposes?