In this day and age, social media can be used for just about anything. It's great not only for keeping in touch with friends and family, but also for things like advertising and getting information about your business out there. In fact, with things like DVRs and On Demand, you may find that you have more luck advertising through social media than you might through television commercials. It can also be successful for religious outreach. Your place of worship can benefit greatly from having a social media page, whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or all of the above. Here are some of the main ways social media can help with your religious outreach.

Spread the Word About Upcoming Events

Is your church having an indoor garage sale to raise money for an upcoming missions trip? Are you planning an all-church BBQ and want people to sign up to bring a side or dessert? Posting these things on social media is a great way to spread the word. If people "like" or follow your page, then your posts will pop up right on their newsfeed. Some social media sites allow you to pay a small fee to sponsor an ad that will appear in the newsfeed of people who don't follow you yet.

Meal Trains

When someone has just had a baby or lost a loved one or is going through a serious illness, it's common for people to offer to bring a meal to help the family. Oftentimes, this will happen through a sign-up sheet at your church or place of worship. With social media, these mail trains are a lot easier. When you sign up online, you will get a reminder when it's your turn to bring a meal. You can also see what meals other people are planning on bringing so you don't duplicate anything. Finally, you can check beforehand to see if there are any food allergies or family preferences so you can be sure that what you make is something the family is able to eat.

Prayer Requests

When you are in need, sometimes it can be reassuring to know you have people praying for you. It used to be that these requests were often announced at the beginning of the worship service, or sometimes it was just left to the leaders of the church to pray. Now, it's common to see posts on social media requesting prayers or sharing updates on prayer requests and praise reports.

Watch the Sermon Online

There are some people who are unable to make it to church every week. Whether it's because of a physical limitation, car trouble, or something else, these people are often looking for ways to hear their weekly sermon. Nowadays, many churches post their sermons online for people to either watch or listen. While this may not be live, it is a great way to get caught up on the pastor's message.

Bible Apps

Similar to social media, Bible apps have made it possible for anyone with a smartphone to have access to the Bible anytime, anywhere. These apps typically have more than one version of the Bible on them, which can be helpful if you like to switch back and forth. Other features often include:

Utilizing social media can very much benefit the religious community. It is a great way to connect with others, share information, and listen to sermons online if you have missed them. Consider getting your church set up with social media to see how much it can benefit you.