Some Christian organizations are building community and doing outreach “exclusively” in partnership with secular social media networks. Is there a risk in aligning the personal spiritual development endeavors of ministry so closely with web companies that have no obligation to support those activities?

A sage king said, “The prudent carefully consider their steps.” Proverbs 14:15

In this conversation, let’s consider a few of the implications of creating online ministry connections inside secular media platforms only.

Online ministry connection is any church related activity mediated by technology and taking place outside normal church interactions.

That would include evangelism, discipleship and prayer; creating conversations within the community; tapping into the collective reservoir of information, resources, and knowledge within the community; and bringing people together to work on causes.

We are not talking about using social media for setting up a church page, for content sharing, or for marketing purposes. We are thinking through what it might mean for a church to put all of its media ministry outreach eggs in one basket.

Simplistically, the decision would go something like this.

Church leadership has decided it is time to facilitate online connections between its members and attendees, and do online outreach to the larger community. The money, materials and staff have been allocated. One or more secular networks will be chosen to host the church’s online ministry platform.

Would a strategy like that have any downsides? Maybe not, but given the nature of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12), it wouldn’t hurt to consider the risks, I believe.

Three questions to consider

These are a just a few of the questions that church leadership should ask to start the thinking process.

• Is it possible to adapt the systems and processes of a secular company to accommodate a church’s policies for security, privacy, or protection of data and intellectual property?
• Would it matter if, now or in the future, the ‘Terms of Use’ of a social network precluded members of the church’s community from speaking out on crucial social issues?
• Should a church continue to support and enable through exclusive partnership a secular media company that publicly supports anti-Biblical causes?

Other solutions

Leadership might also consider alternatives. Is there a social media platform built by Christians for churches?

Could integrating two solutions for ministry be a solution; using a secular company’s platform for evangelism and outreach, and partnering with a Christian media company for ‘going deeper?’

Just some thoughts.

Intuitive interface, professional support, customization with apps, timely updates, excellent design, etc. would be a necessity for any solution. This is where we say, if you needed a heart surgeon, would you only consider a Christian doctor? Probably not. You would want the best, most qualified, most experienced heart surgeon specialist available.

Christian media companies need to offer services comparable to secular companies and be able to help a church achieve its mission. Churches shouldn’t be expected to use schlocky products or services just because they are sold by Christians.

No retreat

To be sure, this is NOT a call to retreat from secular social media ministry. I am an advocate for Internet evangelism. It is the focal point of our posts here, here, and here.

Jesus said, “Wherever you go in the world, preach the Good News.” That means everywhere people are.

Even the President, who made a live appearance on Facebook for an afternoon town hall, knows that people are congregating online.

Christians and ministries must be active in those spaces. Responsible, professional practices observed. Hearts open, ready to serve, creatively and sensitively engaging the masses in every possible way.

Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. Matthew 10:16

Every church has a communications center for the spiritual warfare it wages. And, in a war, the first thing the enemy tries to knock out is communications. If partnering exclusively with secular media companies for outreach has risks, taking steps to have contingencies would seem prudent.

Social Media is now a primary form of worldwide communication. When making decisions about engagement in this space, this is a time to “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

Questions: What other questions should church leadership ask when considering partnerships in ministry exclusively with secular media companies? Do you see any other risks?