<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_gray.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_gray.svg" width="40px" /> If you’re looking for our guidelines related to official public communication on behalf of Grace Bible Church, look at our ‣ policy from the @Anonymous group

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Purpose

We live in a digital age, and social media is a major component of communicating with and relating to other people. Grace Bible Church is interested in expanding the reach of our ministry by using social media and other online resources. Our desire is that our staff, elders, and ministry leaders accurately reflect the character of Jesus Christ in their online interactions.

Scope of this policy

“Social media” refers to those websites that allow users to post personalized content in the form of status updates, Internet links, videos, photos, and articles. Some examples of social media include Facebook, X, blogs, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Any online interaction with other people that can be viewed by the public (or by a significant private audience) is considered social media interaction.

General principles

• As a Christian and an employee or officer of Grace Bible Church, you represent Jesus and our ministry. Use social media in ways that honor God and the ministry of Grace. Social media has many valuable uses:
  • Connecting with members of the congregation
  • Engaging in thoughtful and respectful conversations about theological, spiritual, political, or personal subjects
  • Gathering prayer requests
  • Promoting events
  • Disseminating valuable information and resources

Don’t be afraid to utilize social media for the above purposes, since the internet is a powerful tool if used wisely.

• Avoid posting anything on a social website that would be damaging to the Church or to the reputation of Jesus or distracting to the message of the gospel. Here are some examples of things that would be considered inappropriate (this is not comprehensive, but provides a general overview):
  • Sarcastic or unkind remarks about other people
  • Pictures of you or others in revealing attire or compromising situations (inappropriate use of alcohol, smoking, breaking laws, etc.)
  • Gossip, whether true or false
  • Confidential information about events or decisions being made at the Church
  • Criticism of the Church’s elder board or Leadership
  • Any information about others that would embarrass them or damage their reputations
  • Extreme political or social commentary – e.g. directing insults or names toward politicians who don’t share your views
  • Links to articles with inappropriate content (e.g. four-letter words, inappropriate images, etc.)
• Assume that everything you post online will be there forever. Even if it can be removed, it only takes a few seconds for people to see it and react.
• As a general rule, adults should not initiate online relationships with minors outside of their own families. If a minor “friends” or “follows” an adult, that adult is responsible to exercise discretion regarding whether an online relationship with this student is healthy and appropriate.
• Anonymous or pseudonymous profiles and comments are strongly discouraged. People tend to say things anonymously that they would never say with their names attached to the statement. If you are ashamed to have your name connected to a statement, it’s probably best not to say it at all.
• Keep your cool. If somebody responds to your posts in an unkind or unfair manner, don’t respond in kind. Walk away from your computer if necessary and don’t reply until you can do so in a calm and gracious manner. Most of the time, the best response to unkind comments or messages is no response at all. Instead, contact the person directly and resolve your differences face-to-face.