A lot of women of all ages are on social media these days. Whether women prefer Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or any number of other options, social media can be a great way for you to connect with them throughout the week. So what’s the best way to utilize this tool in women’s ministry?
1. Encourage one another.
There is a lot of negativity on the Internet, so choose to be a voice of hope and encouragement through what you share. Post a Scripture each day via Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram. Or, share an idea or quote that resonated with women at a recent event or Bible study. You can even schedule posts ahead of time so that you consistently put positive, encouraging, biblical truth in their news feeds each day. Download an app that allows you to add words to pictures and create an image with a verse or quote that women can then repost and share on their own accounts. Social media provides a very simple way to be a light in an otherwise dark and negative place.
2. Get the word out.
Social media can be a great way to promote an upcoming event, Bible study, or church-wide emphasis. Begin promoting an upcoming women’s event even a couple months out to encourage women to mark the date on their calendars. These kinds of posts should begin slowly, increasing in frequency as the date approaches. This is another great time to use an app to create branding for an event. Create 1 or 2 specific images with basic event details (name of event, date, time, place) so that women can repost it and invite friends.
You can even use social media to get the word out about an urgent need in your ministry and/or church. Need more volunteers to help with childcare at an upcoming event? Put the word out online. Work with other ministry areas in your church to create a cohesive plan for using social media to help meet practical, church-wide needs.
3. Connect with individuals.
Become “friends” with the women in your church through social media. Follow them, like their updates, and write encouraging comments on their posts. When you take time to post a brief comment of encouragement, it will mean a lot to the woman who is feeling discouraged, stressed out, and broken. Even simply wishing a woman “happy birthday” on her Facebook wall will bring a smile to her face as she’s reminded that you care for her and notice the details of her life.
And one other suggestion…
If you don’t enjoy social media or simply don’t have the time to devote to it, that’s OK! Is there a woman in your church you could invite to help run your women’s ministry account on a volunteer basis? The two of you can come up with a plan for how you want to utilize social media as a tool for your ministry. Then, allow her to run with the execution of that plan. Just be sure to choose someone who is discerning and knowledgeable about what’s best to post and share on behalf of the ministry.
How have you used social media to reach the women you lead? We would love to hear your ideas!
Tessa Morrell is the editorial manager at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn. In addition to her role on staff as a writer and editor, she also has the joy of serving as a volunteer leader of a small group of young adult women each week. That’s one of the things Tessa is most passionate about: studying God’s Word with women of all ages and learning how to faithfully live out the truth of Scripture in daily life.
