The adoption of social media sites has expanded beyond the traditional user to include active churches and ministries. A recent survey by Sojo INC. shows that 32 percent of the most active churches in the country have begun to use social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace.
Many churches were slow to adopt the social networking sites, but now churches and religious groups have come to realize that these sites offer a new and easy way to communicate with their members. As churches and religious groups see an increase in the number of their members using such sites, they have found it necessary to keep up with the times. Most notably churches and religious groups have found that their members who are over the age of 35 have started to use social networking sites and they now see these sites as an effective means to communicate with members of all ages.
“Bottom line, social networking sites are giving churches more presence and a better way to interact directly with their members within their own communities, while reaching a global audience.”
The acceptance of social networking sites by religious groups further illustrates the importance and influence of sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. As these sites continue to grow in popularity not just among young people but also with older constituents and organized groups they will undoubtedly play a much larger role in shaping future communication efforts.
