Why Facebook makes me a better Pastor

I was hesitant to subscribe to the Facebook online community at first.  I felt it was too “teenagery” and I was well past silly online chats and flairs.  Well, my opinion has changed.  I read an article recently in REV magazine when Bob Hostetler shares why Facebook made him a better Pastor and I could identify with his list in a very real way.

So let me join with Bob and tell you why Facebook makes us better pastors…

1. Facebook helps me connect with more people. I have been able to link up with attender and members of GPC that we simply don’t have time to talk with during a busy Sunday morning.  I have also been able to reconnect with old colleagues, international friends, high school and college friends, that some I haven’t seen in 20+ years.
2. Facebook makes me a better counselor. I don’t claim to be a professional counselor, but the nature of my vocation presents opportunities for me to walk with people at a heart level through life issues.  I have talked with and walked with some Facebook firends through some big life, relationship and day to day circumstances on Facebook.
3. I send birthday greetings to church members who are on Facebook.  Our church has grown to large for me to hand write cards to every member, address and post them as I once did.  I was spending 2 hrs or more each month just with b-day cards.  Now a quick note and a prayer via Facebook and we are rocking on.
4. I’m in their loop.  I am better informed about what is going on in people’s life through their status and posts.
5. I am able to teach and share throughout the week. I am constantly reading and researching.  I may not want to wait until Sunday to share a quote, thought, verse, or statistic.  I can pass it on through my Twitter and Facebook connection.
6. I pray via Facebook. There have been multiple times that I have seen someone’s status or post and know that they are having a bad day (or a good day) and be able to pray for a “friend.”
7. Facebook make me “normal.” In the past 180 days,  there has been over 23 million Facebook users.  It is a new way to socialize.
8. Facebook Gets the word out. We, as a church, are able to have a group page for our church (“I attend Grace Point Church, and Love it“) and make special announcements through the group page.
9. Facebook helps me with names. As I am looking through my list of friends and people identify themselves as attending GPC, I am able to concentrate on them a little better and get to know their names and children’s names much faster.  This is important for a guy who does poorly with names.
10. Facebook makes me laugh. There our some pretty funny people out there, and there are photos on the internet to prove it.
11. Facebook makes me look “cooler” than I really am. Need I say more.

Next week… “Why my iPhone makes me a better Pastor.”

1. maker of cinnamon rolls says:

   August 3, 2009 at 1:44 pm

   9. You amaze me with your ability to remember names!

   10. yep….love a good status update laugh.

   11. hahahaha! You are SO cool!
2. Rob Featherston says:

   August 15, 2009 at 4:58 pm

   Good stuff, Mike! Keep up the good work, brotha!