Two years ago, there was a small issue in my church: A few of our most active volunteers were behaving on social media in a decidedly inappropriate and unChrist-like manner. These issues were directly addressed by one of our pastors, but I felt like it was also important to address these (and other issues) in an instructive way. I wanted to talk about negativity, partisanship, and ‘fake news’ so that our people would have some solid, gospel-centered teaching to counter what was quickly becoming the norms of social media.
I created a class on social media.
And then 2016.
And then the presidential election.
And then fake news became a cliche.
I wanted to make the whole world take my class. Sadly, this isn’t possible, but what is possible is for you to take my class and bring it back to your church, small group, business, and communicate some new norms of social media. What I have done is to write an ebook based upon my course material, which ChurchMag Press has now released.
Why Should We Talk Social Media?
Perhaps you’re not sure if you or your church needs to take up the issue of social media. Fair enough, but allow me to ask you a few questions:
- Does your church invest in marriages?
- Does your church support parents?
- Does your church equip adults with classes on budgeting?
Then, your church needs to train and and empower its people to engage in Christ-like behavior on social media as it is becoming as rife with issues as any failing marriage, strained parental relationship, or overdrawn budget.
Book & Class Audio
You can purchase a copy of The Social Christian: A Theological Exploration of Social Media to read for yourself. No church or ministry position required. However, if you’d like to use this book as the basis for a class or small group, you can also purchase a church license.
Whether you purchase the individual license, the church license, or don’t buy anything at all, ChurchMag and Cornerstone Church, where I am a minister, would like to offer you the audio recordings of my class at no charge. Why would we do this? Because we want to see social media become civilized, safe, and filled with the light of Christ.
And that’s where I’ll leave you, friend, with a humble plea to always share Jesus when you share online.
Win a Free Copy
Want a free copy of The Social Christian? Chime in on the comments below and we’ll pick a winner at random. Comment by Nov. 13, 2017 for a chance to win. Congrats to winner Chris Pugh!
More:
Read our review of The Social Christian: A Theological Exploration of Social Media by Phil Schneider.
Katie Allred
November 6, 2017
YESSSSS I WANT TO WINNNNNN
Martha Holmen
November 6, 2017
Looks like a great resource.
Alex Hill
November 6, 2017
I have long been frustrated that some of the worst comments I read are often times written (shared) by people claiming to follow Jesus. Thank you for awakening us to the reality the church needs to be involved in training people how to be the best reflection of Jesus possible while engaging in social media. I’m excited to use this material in the church I serve.
Michele A Barra
November 6, 2017
Very timely; we just hosted a meeting this morning for local pastors where the topic was Social Media and how to engage with your congregation; more of a presentation of the tools to use, the pros and cons of each, rather than a theological discussion on what to post. But the topic of appropriateness, pastoral care and pastoral response online did come up. Thanks for the great resources here!
Emily
November 6, 2017
Thank you for sharing this resource! Social media is “where people are,” and if we are to spread Christ’s message to all the world, that world must include social media sites and apps.
Rose Santuci-Sofranko
November 6, 2017
Thanks so much for this resource! Thanks and God Bless!
Paul Steinbrueck
November 7, 2017
Phil, thanks for writing the book and teaching the class. It sounds great! I tweeted this post.
I would love to know how the class impacted your church and the way the people who make up your church interact in social media. And did the people who are most outspoken on social media participate in the class? I guess what I’m getting at is, I could see the people who are already acting in a Christ-line manner online participating in the class and reading the book, while the people who are the most divisive don’t bother. So, I’m interested to know how things played out at your church and specific examples (without names of course) of how God has used this to change the culture and impact of your church.
Josh VanMeter
November 7, 2017
This is so needed in churches today. Thank you for producing this!
Tina Warner
November 7, 2017
Would love to win!!!!!
Dorenda
November 7, 2017
Always looking for more help with Social Media. Whether it be topical, graphics, or just more ideas to get more engagement. Unfortunately, there are people that don’t engage in Christlike behavior on Social Media or in the world and we need all the tools we can get to help work with them. Thanks!
Chris Pugh
November 7, 2017
great resource
Gerry Brague
November 7, 2017
Social media is a big issue and one that I’m trying to get a handle on.
Susan Gibson
November 7, 2017
Our church must begin to lead with social media. I would love to win this useful guide on behalf of our church!
Nicole
November 7, 2017
Our diocese’s mission is evangelization, and we are ALWAYS talking to our parishes about how evangelization happens online now. Our parishes are ‘getting there,’ but you know how slooowwwlllyyy the Church moves sometimes. I’m hosting an event with International speaker Sr. Helena Burns, fsp this week focused on becoming digital Catholics, and this book would be a nice follow up for me!
Rick Williams Grace Episcopal
November 7, 2017
Sounds like this would be a helper to us struggling to stay afloat in the modern digital worls today. Most of our parishioners are 55+ age group, And do not use email or computers. I think this would help us a lot in reaching out to our present group and to the community. Thanks
Jennifer Ryan
November 9, 2017
I need help! :)
Devan
November 9, 2017
I’d love to win this!! We need so much help in our network churches to make this happen!
Sean
November 10, 2017
Would love to win a copy!
Jim Clark
November 10, 2017
Want to win! Want to win!! Love to read!! Pick me!!
Paul Abraham
March 19, 2019
Timely resource. You are a blessing Sir, more of His grace. Thanks and God bless you.