Interestingly enough, Quick Online Tips just wrote that Twitter has exceeded Digg in traffic. It's more popular than ever these days, so it's a great time to get into it.

I use twitter with the college ministry I lead. For the most part I send out messages that help keep the previous "sermon" in their minds. I remind them of the main points, encourage them to put what I taught into practice, etc.

It's an effective way (at least in my mind) to keep the conversation going throughout the week. I'd love to hear how other people are utilizing this tool in their ministries.

I understand that many churches can use Twitter effectively and it can help their communications. I would have to also point out that there are still places (many in fact) that not only have a majority of people who have never heard of Twitter, but don't even use the internet. It sounds a bit sacrilegious to say so, but some people just don't want constant communication.

Your church must Twitter? Nope, not in the least.

@Paul but you don't have to use the internet for Twitter. Those that haven't heard of it can start out by simply using their phones. They can then work their way into it!

But churches should definitely begin to use Twitter as much as possible, or if they aren't going to use Twitter, then they need to explore other alternatives.

If we're going to reach this generation or people, young and old, then we have to start using every means necessary!

Benjamin, I understand what you are saying, I think. I am a big proponent of using all means that are effective in reaching a group or even individual. I just disagree completely with the necessity (not benefit) of having to use Twitter. BTW, do you really know anyone who doesn't use the internet who you think would use Twitter.

do you really know anyone who doesn't use the internet who you think would use Twitter.

i almost fit that criteria.
i use the internet. but when twitter first came out i used it via my mobile phone to receive a free verse every day from http://twitter.com/esvdaily
i only stopped because twitter stopped supporting the free sms service in australia.

While I do agree that there are some GREAT benefits to churches leveraging things like Twitter and other social networks... I also agree with Paul here and say it's definitely NOT a necessity. It all depends on your demographic. Ask Park Church about who they're trying to reach... I think they're demographic fits the mold of people who use Twitter. My church, however, probably does not fit that mold... or at least, a very large percentage of them wouldn't.

I would always encourage churches to constantly be looking for new and innovative ways to communicate and connect with their people... if Twitter is one of those ways, by all means... go for it!

Cameron... well put.

I do believe that the church should not shy away from technology that it can benefit from (not that anyone here has proposed that). If I may be so forward, I say the church should strive to be on the cutting edge instead of reactive.

We could look at it in another way: what if a church added social networking tools to its arsenal? What if social networking allowed said church to reach just ONE extra person? Wouldn't it be worth it?

Very simplistic... I know... just thinking out loud.

I love to hear the discourse.

I guess it boils down to what does God want you to do? I pastored for ten years. Now I lead a Men's Bible study at another church. My new church has a website, but doesn't really have a social media presence. I prayed for God to give me a ministry on the internet, then I gave myself to what He'd put in my hands to do in that regards: blogging & vlogging. I use godtube as my main application for the latter. I slowly was able to increase the viewership of my vlog posts to upwards of 250 per day on average by last November-ish. Now to the point. (I'm a preacher; I can be long-winded.) Then I discovered twitter & my viewership has doubled. It's close to 500 a day during this new year & I've seen days in the 600's & 700's. It's a significant way to get Christ's message out to a new generation (or an old one that's open to new ways of communicating). BTW, appreciate this blog site. Blessings, still Pastor Mike ;)

Wasn't it Kirkegaard who said that to be a true Christian, you have to ask yourself everyday "what do I believe in? Are these core values something I still hold true?" (OK, I did some serious paraphrasing.)

Personally, I have a beat up index card I carry around with me. That card contains some core "beliefs" for me...starting with "I believe in one God," and listing my views on Jesus, etc. I pull them out and read them and ask, "Do I still believe this?" I cross things out and rewrite them. Sometimes I need to write out a new index card.

Twitter is a good resource to remind people to ask themselves these important questions on a regular basis. And a good way to stimulate conversation on issues we assume are a given for people in our congregation.

Imagine the conversation that would come from just entering the sentence "I believe in a historical Jesus."

would you recommend this book for those of us who already use twitter? or is it more for those who don't yet.

Another interesting twitter example from a NW Church. http://triumphofgrace.com/

Our church is trying to get into the twitter thing. I would like to see some practical ideas for how it can be used. I'm not super familiar with twitter, so any practical suggestions are good to me. http://twitter.com/godshere