10 Ways To Effectively Use Twitter In Ministry

• Be authentic. Be yourself. Your people know who you really are in person. Don’t try to be someone you’re not on Twitter. (Tell them what you’re eating for breakfast, take a pic and upload it, etc…)
• Network with other pastors around the world. You can follow the “bigger guys” and gain insight and leadership ideas from their world.
• Don’t use it for self-promotion. Instead, promote others that you’re following; let others know who they should follow and why (the benefit of following them).
• Contribute to the Twitter community. Join in on a discussion and give your input. (share relevant links, point people to solutions, etc…)
• Respond to Mentions and DMs when necessary. Not doing so is sending the message that “you don’t care” about those who are connecting with you.
• Share what’s coming up in your next sermon series, church event, conference, concert, etc… . This is different that self promotion, as you are contributing what might be of interest/benefit to others.
• Listen to the conversation. This will give you great sermon material and will put you in line with today’s culture, society.
• Get Feedback. I once threw out a question to my Twitter community that was going to be used in my message the next Sunday. Got great feedback and perspective on the subject (i.e. “3 reasons why you won’t go to church”).
• Save time by linking your Twitter and Facebook accounts. Using a facebook app called Selective Tweets, you can specify which tweets you want to have appear as your facebook status, saving you precious time.
• Create Twitter Lists. This allows you to group the people you follow into any list (category) that you want. For example, here’s what your lists might look like:
  • Personal Friends
  • Pastors/Leadership
  • Worship Leaders
  • Ministries
  • Sports

Am I missing anything? How are you using Twitter to better yourself and your business, ministry, and church?