There are mixed views in Christian circles regarding social media. While there are certainly dangers with social media, it is also an opportunity to meet people, a lot of people, where they are at.
As Catholics, a phrase that is often brought up is “the New Evangelization.” The USCCB says
The New Evangelization calls each of us to deepen our faith, believe in the Gospel message and go forth to proclaim the Gospel. The focus of the New Evangelization calls all Catholics to be evangelized and then go forth to evangelize. In a special way, the New Evangelization is focused on ‘re-proposing’ the Gospel to those who have experienced a crisis of faith. Pope Benedict XVI called for the re-proposing of the Gospel “to those regions awaiting the first evangelization and to those regions where the roots of Christianity are deep but who have experienced a serious crisis of faith due to secularization.” The New Evangelization invites each Catholic to renew their relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church.
You can read more about the New Evangelization here, here, and here.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI proposed using technology as a tool for the New Evangelization.
While all of us aren’t called to blog or create a podcast or make YouTube videos, there are small ways we can show the love of Christ through our presence on social media.
If you are looking for a starting point, you can join me in doing the “Be a Digital Missionary 30 Day Challenge.” The creator, Janet Miller, has created this FREE course. Each day has a short Bible passage, a reflection, and a challenge to post something on Facebook. She provides a number of graphics she created.
If this seems intimidating, don’t feel like you need to jump in and do every day of the challenge. While I believe there will be fruit from doing so, it is far better to do something than nothing out of fear of not being able to do it all. If you’re more comfortable with Twitter than Facebook, Tweet instead.
Though she provides graphics, you could certainly make your own using stock photos (make sure you aren’t violating any copyright laws) and editing them in Canva.com (the free version works great). You are welcome to reach out to me if you have questions about creating your own images. You are also welcome to use any of my images from my Instagram as long as you attribute them to me.
How do you share the gospel on social media? Are you going to do the 30 day challenge?
