A Word from Pastor Nathan

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Dear Friends,

As you know, we live in a social media-driven world. Most of us—myself included— immigrated to this environment. However, today’s youth grow up with multiple and myriad “online” platforms for communication. They are digital natives to the world of smart phones, high-speed Internet connections, and tablets.

When preparing to write this brief missive, I “googled” social media statistics. Here are results for Facebook: 79% of all online US adults use Facebook; 76% of Facebook users check it every day; and the average user spends 35 minutes on Facebook a day. In summary, people use Facebook.

While it is important to have caution with the Internet, we have an opportunity to engage the world using our digital footprint. For example, we can tell people about our church and how we go to love and serve from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

Here are some practical suggestions of how you can use your Facebook profile:

  • Like our Facebook page: Washington Avenue Christian Church. (Some of you may be “friends” with “WashingtonAvenue ChristianChurch,” but liking our official Facebook page is something different.)
  • Check-in @WACCElyria: When you are on campus for worship, the Lenten Study, or a committee meeting, write a post and “check-in” saying, “Here @waccelyria for worship this Sunday morning!” or “Our [insert committee name here] is participating in God’s work in and beyond Lorain County.”
  • Like, Share, Repeat: Diana Tyler and I make posts to our social media accounts, which you can “like” and “share.” Our posts include announcements about services, mission opportunities, camp retreats, sermons, and notes. When you “like” and “share” posts from WACC, you increase the visibility of our congregation.

Of course, people can use social media to spread messages of hate and fear. Through the strategies noted above, you counteract stigma and participate in sharing positive news about our church. Several members of our church are already participating in these efforts, so feel free to ask questions and bring your ideas.

If you do not use Facebook, do not worry, your witness from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth still works wonders.

Happy clicking and posting,

Nathan