I learned to appreciate email and Instant Messaging as tools for ministry (IM) as a Youth Minister. Often youth would ask me questions about life and share faith stories through email or IM that they would never ask in a group or in person.
This still holds true today – even for adults.
The creation of new social networking tools provides even more opportunities for spiritual dialogue and for building relationships. These new tools can also provide a bridge between you, your church, your ministry. . . and the outside world! I recommend these:
myspace.com
Very popular among youth and younger 20’s. The best way to set up is to find a teenager who already has a myspace page and ask them to set one up for you!
Facebook.com
More popular among college age and 30-40’s. Great for college and young adult ministry. New ministry explorations include hosting small groups on Facebook. Here is one example: TheInternetCampus.org
linkedin.com
Most popular among career professionals and transitionals this tool is used for connecting leaders in all industries and making career transitions.
These tools are great for relational ministry. The key is keeping them up to date which can take as little as 30 minutes per month for all three!
