The latest and greatest thing to hit the Internet in the last few years has been Twitter. Some people would ask “What is it and why does my church need it”.

First off let’s talk a little bit about what Twitter is. Twitter is what they call a “Micro-Blogging” service. It allows you to make mini-posts that are 140 characters or less. Other Twitter users can follow you and read what your posts are and reply back to them. This creates a large 2-way conversation tool that allows information to be passed to multiple users.

Why would a church want to use it?
At Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, TN, where I attend, We started using Twitter about 6 months ago. It has allowed us to promote events, give announcements, and create a community surrounded by the social network.

Ways a church can use Twitter

1. Announcements
   What church doesn’t have a bazillion announcements? Churches are always needing a way to get information out and what better way then Twitter?
    
2. Broadcast Blog Posts
   Does the pastor or the church have a blog? Using services such as Twitterfeed you can have a Twitter post happen anytime a new blog post is written.
    
3. Create Community
   The other day I was checking my Twitter feed prior to church and I noticed that someone I had been following posted that he was “@rhcc” that Sunday and I was able to introduce myself to him. A great way to create community and branding around the church.
    
4. Feedback from the congregation
   Twitter is all about Social medium and as a church we need to bring ourselves down to the congregations level and make ourselves more accessible. By simply setting up a Twitter account you give your congregation a “home” one Twitter to be able to mention where they go to church. There are many times when I post things like “Off to @rhcc” or “We are having a great sermon series @rhcc“. When I post that my lost friends have an opportunity to click on it and some even make their way to the RHCC homepage.

In The Great Commission, Jesus tells us to take the Word to the “ends of the earth”. I am sure that would include Twitter also.

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