I’m a firm believer that in every crisis there are opportunities.
The COVID-19 crisis is no different.
Because of coronavirus, people are out of their normal routines. Many people are anxious about their health, finances, family and friends. Many people are feeling disconnected from family, friends, and their church community. Many people are searching for hope.
One of the greatest opportunities Christians and Christian churches have right now is to live out the love, hope, and peace we have from God in the way we interact with others in social media.
7 Ways Your Church Can Minister Through Social Media During COVID-19
1) Live stream services. Since churches have closed their doors, one step many churches are taking is to live stream their worship service instead. We love and recommend our partners at Streaming Church, but one big benefit of using Facebook Live and/or YouTube live is they make it easy to connect with people already on those platforms and easy for your church members to share your live stream with their friends. See Free Church Live Streaming Options You Can Use Now for more on this.
2) Share bible verses. In a crisis, when uncertainty seems to be everywhere, it’s essential that we look to what is certain and unchanging – God and His word. Sharing scripture on your church’s social channels is an easy way to encourage your church members and help them encourage others. See Coronavirus Inspirational Quotes for scripture and images you can share.
3) Share short devotionals. It’s important for followers of Jesus to start their days with Him. You can help people do this by sharing short devotionals on your social channels. Some churches have started writing their own devotionals and posting them on their blog, others churches share devotionals written by others. One extra benefit of this is that doing the same devotionals and reading the same scripture passages, gives an added sense of community as your church goes through the crisis together.
4) Offer prayer. Pretty straight forward. Post something like, “How can we be praying for you today?”
5) Ask questions. Asking questions helps to facilitate interaction and community. Where have you seen God at work lately? Post an emoji that expresses how you’re feeling today? What’s one bible verse, quote or story that has encouraged you recently? How are you spending your free time lately?
6) Facilitate help and sharing. Social media can be used to ask people about their needs as well as how they can help others? Who needs toilet paper? Who has extra toilet paper they can share? Is there anyone with underlying health issues that would like someone to do their grocery shopping for them?
7) Share stories of hope. Everyone is encouraged by hearing stories of what God is doing. These stories could be “praise reports” people in your church have told you about or stories you find online.
People are spending more time online now and are more open to engaging with churches and discussing spiritual issues. This is a great opportunity for your church to increase its social media engagement.
Bonus Church Social Media Tips
Bonus #1: Don’t do it alone. Create a team who can help you plan and create content, or at the very least are committed to liking, commenting and sharing your content. Text them when you publish new content, so they can engage with it. This will dramatically increase the number of people who see your content.
Bonus #2: Be an equipper. The goal of your church should not be to build its reputation and audience but to equip the people of your church to engage with others, have spiritual conversations, share the gospel, and serve others.
Bonus #3: Create a content schedule. People engage more when an organization posts the same kind of content at the same time and day of the week.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. -John 13:35
Click for more COVID-19 Response Resources
Comment and Discuss… How is your church using social media to encourage and minister to others during COVID-19?
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.