Most of m
y friends know by now that I’m a big proponent of using Facebook/Twitter, yet whenever I encourage others to use these services for their non-profit, ministry, or business I get a similar response, “It’s all about self-promotion and self-centered observations about nothing.”
As many times as I’ve heard this response, I’m more convinced than ever that these tools can be used as a good and noble cause. To this end I wrote a memo several months ago that I distributed internally to the Directors of the Rescue Mission to help guide them as they thought of how to use Facebook and Twitter in their work/programs/ministry. I thought I’d share it here so that you can see how and why I encourage my team to use these tools often, and during work hours. Some of this may not be applicable to those who are not in faith-based organizations, yet I think there will be much that everyone could think about.
David Curry
How the Rescue Mission Mission Website/Facebook/Twitter Is a Ministry
(Internal Memo)
For many years our goal at the Tacoma Rescue Mission has been to “help all people become their best through the love of Jesus Christ”. In the past few years we’ve boiled that down to the very measureable phrase, “Life Transformation”. In other words, our goal is to see life transformation in the lives of those we come in contact with at the Mission.
This is a great marker by which to measure ourselves and the services we provide. As a group, we must always ask ourselves if what we are doing will help transform lives, or is just another activity that will keep us busy. While there are many necessary, mundane tasks in any ministry, we must remain focused on how we are living our purpose to see lives changed. By measuring current activities against this standard we will most certainly find things that will not measure up and need to be eliminated.
But how about measuring the DEVELOPMENT of new tools, technologies and programs against that same measurement? Does this work as well? Yes!
Clearly, we must measure potential new developments/technologies/tools by the measuring stick of Life Transformation, in order to fulfill our purpose to the maximum.
One obvious tool/technology that can be used to help to transform lives is Facebook/twitter/and our blogs. These tools can be used in the same way that other technologies are currently being used at the Tacoma Rescue Mission. We can use Facebook/Twitter and our Blogs to do the following:
- Share the words and story of Jesus
- Encourage those in recovery
- Connect with those who are tending toward isolation in recovery
- Distribute information about what God is doing at TRM
- Multiply the reach of sermons, teachings, and programs that are already in place
- Show our supporters the stories of victory that they are part of
- Build and edify the Body of Christ throughout the nation
The challenge is to swim against the current and to use these tools to lift others, not just to talk about yourself. Most use Facebook/Twitter for the promotion and exaltation of “ME” and not with a purpose toward exalting Jesus. Don’t let this keep you from seeing the tremendous potential in this tool.
Unfortunately, most people do not see the potential upside of these technologies because they see the self-centered nature of the current use. But this is true of EVERY tool. We serve a redeemer and have been redeemed and thus must redeem the tools that are available to reach the lost.
Here are a few questions I use when helping me to use Facebook/twitter/blog:
What is God doing in my community that I can encourage/promote?
Are there hurts that I can uniquely address?
Is there something I am learning that can help others?
Is there a psalm that could heal a hurt in others?
Is there a proverb that could give direction?
How can I build up others?
How can I expand the reach of God’s work here at the Mission?
Is there a biblical truth I can digest and simplify for a confused world?
Can I link and promote other ministries?
Is there a sermon that touched me that I can link to?
Am I building unity in the body of Christ with this tool?
Am I an encouragement to others?
Am I promoting the essentials of the Gospel or my own agenda?
Am I lifting up the name of JESUS?
By asking these questions and using tools that automate and simplify the posting of these updates we can reach hundreds and even thousands more people. Every day I am getting responses from folks who would otherwise not be edified by our ministry, who are now being blessed and built up in the Lord.
