Social media’s importance, frankly, can be found in scripture. Matthew 28:18-19, the Great Commission to the disciples was and still is to go forth into the world baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching all that Jesus had taught. Christians cannot be divorced of the call to go out and evangelize. It is who we are.

Social media allows the church and individual Christians to fulfill the Great Commission. Social media allows us to go where the next generation is and to engage with them openly and honestly. Yet many in the church are guarded and they doubt the importance of social media. But what if they knew…

Having a social media strategy is no longer an option for the church in North America. It simply is something we must do. With over 50% of the population of the planet under the age of 30 and 96% of millennials in North America having joined a social network, we can no longer afford to be silent.

After all, if we are not talking to them about Christ, then who is?

Does this mean we rush out and spend big money on social media, trusting the first person to promise a large ROI? Obviously not. We have to come to understand the social media environment and how it is changing and evolving. For example here is a social media map from 2005 courtesy of www.xkcd.com:

And here is one from 2010.

Sound research into the changing landscape will show that Myspace is not the place to break into the social media anymore. Also good research will also help you identify the demographics that you wish to reach. For instance, the fastest growing demographic on Facebook is women 55-65. Yet you are unlikely going to get that demographic on Twitter. Knowing what networks people frequent will undoubtedly shape the social media strategy that your parish and community employs.

Who you wish to reach becomes just as important as how. If you want to reach the next generation, then pull up a keyboard and jump in before it is too late.