REFRESH | Taking the Great Commission to a Digital World

By Lauren Biggs

In today’s digital age, your church’s online presence is more than a modern convenience; it’s a vital tool in fulfilling the Great Commission. Consider seven practical ways your church can use social media to engage your community, disciple believers, and invite others into the life of your ministry.

• Reach people where they are. People average 2.5 hours a day on social media, and for some, that number is doubled. By maintaining an active presence in digital spaces, you can engage with people on more than just Sundays. Go beyond posting and take time to comment, like, and message your followers to build relationships past the pews.
  

• Use media to share the gospel. The church has always used media to further the gospel, from Paul’s New Testament letters to Luther’s 95 Theses, to the Gutenberg Bible, and Billy Graham’s early network television crusades. Now, we have a modern-day opportunity to be light in a digitally dark space. When you utilize social media to share the gospel, you further the first century gospel message through twenty-first century means.
  

• Tell stories of what God is doing through your church. When you use graphics or videos to share stories about lives transformed by the gospel, those people are likely to reshare that content. Regularly sharing stories of spiritual impact and lives changed will demonstrate God’s grace, salvation, and power to your church’s online community. Additionally, photos and videos of ministry events show the variety of outreach opportunities (Christmas services, fall festivals, etc.) where your church members are active. By highlighting these, you display how the Body of Christ is making an impact locally and globally.
  

• Provide discipleship opportunities throughout the week. Use social media platforms to share Scripture, sermon clips, and prayer requests (by permission only), or to offer discipleship resources to help people grow outside the church building. Create regular posts throughout the week to disciple your followers and equip them with ways they, too, can disciple people in their lives. Use social platforms to share the importance of being involved in community events, outreach programs, or mission trips, and how people are experiencing God’s love because of these opportunities.
  

• Make a positive first impression. People usually visit your church website or social media platforms before ever setting foot in your building. By sharing photos (be sure to get permission, first!) of families in the lobby, posting videos of worship or kids’ ministry, and giving information about your services, people will have a positive first impression and feel welcomed to join and be involved. Providing this content regularly allows people to move past the unknowns into a place of comfort and potential connection.
  

• Show your church is active all week. People outside the church often think church is “just a Sunday thing.” Ask your congregation to capture and send photos for your church’s social media channels to display the exciting, ongoing church life happening all week long, from small groups to outreach to discipleship connections. By sharing “real-life” events, you highlight daily rhythms and routines of Christians for non-believers to see.
  

• Bridge generations. All demographics and ages are online. Your social media following may have a niche audience, but you have the potential to reach all types of people. When you share stories of how generations are impacting other generations in your church, you display and invite true discipleship connections. Share faith stories across ages — kids’ ministry moments to senior adult testimonies — through mini blog posts or video series. Invite people in your church to participate and reflect on the generational impact.
  

Social media is more than just a communication tool; it’s a ministry platform. Whether telling stories of transformation, offering discipleship tools throughout the week, or simply showing what God is doing through His people, your digital presence can become a powerful light in an online world.

About the Columnist: Lauren Biggs is from Nashville, Tennessee, and serves as the media and content coordinator for IM, Inc. Lauren also manages social media for D6 Family Ministry. She enjoys social media consulting, video editing, creating graphics, and working among creative teams. She also loves her favorite roles as a wife and mom to two beautiful girls.