Social media policies for churches and other faith-based organizations?
For every person who sighs with relief, another one groans with frustration when this issue is raised.
Proponents generally argue it's important to have everything clarified and codified; that relying on ever-elusive common sense is a big mistake; that such policies come under the heading of must-have best practices.
Opponents generally argue social media policies are unnecessary; people of faith need to be trusted to use good judgment and act in alignment with professed faith; that such policies come under the heading of yet more institutionalized church bureaucracy.
Word to the wise: Do not waste precious energy trying to guess who (e.g., clergy, lay leadership, church administrators, church communications pros) ends up on which side of this debate. Do take a look at the following resources and commentary and let's chat!
Commentary:
Paul Steinbrueck, Does Your Organization Need a Social Media Policy? (Christian Web Trends)
Examples:
Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Social Media Policy
Lauren Hunter, Does Your Church Have a Social Media Policy? (Church Tech Today)
Anna Belle Leiserson, Resources for Church Social Media Policies (Faith and Web)
2 comments:
Looking forward to tomorrow's chat! And thanks for the link!
I'm someone who sighs with relief AND groans with frustration when it comes to establishing social media guidelines/policies.
My relief comes from wanting to believe this means people are taking social media seriously.
My frustration comes from realizing that "common sense" and "good judgment" are in short supply; also from dealing with the glacial speed at which anything relative to church seems to get done.
Post a Comment