According to Brandon Cox, the church’s perception is hurting. Big time. Scandals pile up, skeletons come clattering out of pastors’ closets almost every day, and about the nicest thing many of those outside the church can say is that Christians are out of touch. Instead of being salt and light, the culture sees us as ammonia and grit.
Whether we like it or not, Christianity has a “brand,” and brands mean everything when it comes to perception. Brand is the difference between long lines for the newest Apple product and empty Radioshack stores. Good brands craft a story and share it through every channel possible. And the church has the best story to share: the gospel.
So, how do we go about changing our “brand”? Cox suggests that it starts with social media:
“How can social media save our brand? It can’t, entirely. If the story people associate with the church as God’s people is to become a more positive one, it has to begin with our showing genuine love to each other and to the people living in proximity to us. Right now, I sense another potential great awakening for the church that is less about creeds and more about deeds. Church leaders are pressing forward with their congregations to show the gospel and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us. This is all good, and social media gives us the opportunity to share this story well.”
Here’s how he thinks the church can share the story well via social media:
Declare a cultural ceasefire.
While we must not water down the truth of Scripture, social media arguments do little to change the conversation. Often, all the world sees of us on social media is what we’re against.
Be for something.
Instead of shouting out what we’re against, Christians should take the opportunity to share the love of Christ and the power of the gospel.
Source: Crosswalk | John UpChurch is the senior editor of BibleStudyTools.com and Jesus.org. You’ll usually find him downing coffee at his standing desk (like a boss).
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