Let’s be honest: social media isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think about ministry. You know your church has social media accounts, and if you’re on the communications team, you probably post “stuff” when you can. Maybe a few bulletin announcements, a sermon clip from last Sunday, or a Bible verse graphic, and that’s about it.
After all, the real ministry happens in person, right? In the church, in the community, face to face. Social media is just… there. It has to be done, but it’s rarely seen as important or necessary.
What if I told you it’s not only essential but also a mission field, ripe for the harvest?
Several years ago, I heard Dave Adamson (one of the first Social Media Pastors in North America) say something that stuck with me ever since:
“Nobody ever walked out of a Sunday service, looked at their friend, and said, ‘Those announcements this morning changed my life. I’ll never be the same.’”
He’s right. Announcements don’t transform lives… connection does.
So what if social media isn’t just a notice board? What if it’s a space where real connection, discipleship, and transformation can happen?
The World Has Gone Digital, And That’s Not a Bad Thing
Here’s the truth: the world has gone digital, and it’s not going back to analog. But that’s not something to fear. Over the last decade, working in social media and digital marketing, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful online spaces can be for creating authentic community.
During COVID, for example, my mom helped my grandmother – then 93 years old – connect via Facebook Messenger video chat with her sister, who was 99 and living in a nursing home in England. That simple connection mattered deeply to both of them. The same kind of connection can matter to your congregation, your neighbours, and even people you haven’t met yet.
When Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” He didn’t specify how we should go, only that we should. And today, more than 94% of Canadians use social media, spending an average of two hours a day on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. This is where people share their stories, ask big questions, and look for hope.
Your congregation, volunteers, and seekers are already there. If we’re called to meet people where they are, the digital world isn’t separate from our mission field; it is part of it.
From Sunday Service to Seven-Day Connection
Social media doesn’t replace Sunday mornings; it expands them. Think about it this way: there are 168 hours in a week, and you get your congregation in the room for maybe two. What about the other 166?
Social media gives you the chance to keep building relationships, offering encouragement, and pointing people back to Christ throughout the week.
When churches start showing up online with purpose, the results can be powerful. A young parent scrolling late at night might see a post about hope and message your page. A student might share a sermon clip that speaks to a friend’s struggle. Someone who hasn’t stepped into a church for years might quietly follow along for months before finally walking through your doors.
You may never see all the seeds planted through your posts, but they grow nonetheless. Social media is where stories of faith meet the realities of everyday life. And when you show up with intention, you’re meeting people right where God is already working.
The Digital Mission Field
Social media isn’t a distraction from ministry; it’s an extension of it. It’s the place where your church’s heart, mission, and message can ripple outward into the world.
At its best, social media isn’t about likes or reach. It’s about relationships. It’s about extending the love of Christ into the everyday scroll of someone’s life, reminding them that faith, hope, and community are only one post away.
About Grace Partners Consulting
At Grace Partners Consulting, we help ministries and faith-based organizations build meaningful, mission-aligned content strategies that extend beyond Sunday and beyond the church walls. Our goal is to help you communicate with clarity, purpose, and compassion — online and in person.
If you’re ready to turn your social media presence into a digital mission field, let’s start the conversation.
