In the latest episode of Ask a Pastor, Bec welcomed back Pastor Joe Rossi, Campus Pastor at Centrepoint Church Byford, to chat about a topic that affects nearly all of us: the Church and social media.
We live in a world where platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok shape opinions, influence decisions, and often fill our downtime. So where does the Church fit into this digital landscape? Pastor Joe believes that while there are challenges, there are also huge opportunities.
“Social media has become such a major part of modern life,” Pastor Joe said. “It influences how we communicate. It helps people form opinions, whether they’re right or wrong. And for Christians, it presents both opportunities and challenges.”
Sharing the Gospel in a Digital World
When it comes to using social media well, Pastor Joe says the Church has a real chance to reflect Christ, not just promote itself.
“We’re called to preach the gospel, to spread the gospel,” he explained. “And I think social media, along with all its challenges, is probably one of the major ways we can actually do that and spread it wide.”
It’s not just about advertising upcoming events or services, although those are helpful too. Joe shared how friends and family members have stumbled across church content online that has left a real impact.
“Some friends of mine have listened to church messages just because someone shared them on social media,” he said. “You never know who might be watching or listening.”
Think Before You Post
In a world of memes and viral trends, how can Christians and churches decide what’s appropriate to share?
“Sometimes you’ve got to pause before posting,” Pastor Joe said. “We’ve got to make sure what we’re posting isn’t offensive or judgmental. As followers of Christ, we’re called to be the light of the earth. What we share online should reflect that.”
He encouraged churches to embrace content that uplifts and inspires rather than anything that could tear people down or reinforce negative stereotypes.
Can You Disciple People Online?
Discipleship has traditionally been something done in-person, but Joe sees social media as a tool that can complement that journey.
“There’s no substitute for face-to-face discipleship,” he said. “But why not use social media as a tool? I often send articles, videos or messages to people I’m discipling. If it can uplift someone or speak into their situation, then that’s a win.”
Being Bold – Without Being Preachy
Many Christians wrestle with how to represent their faith online in a way that feels genuine without coming across as pushy.
“There’s nothing wrong with posting a verse of the day or something uplifting,” Pastor Joe shared. “Even if someone doesn’t believe in God, they might be encouraged by it. We can be different, posting positive, life-giving content in a space that’s often filled with negativity.”
Using Social Media for Good
Pastor Joe left us with a simple reminder for churches navigating the digital space:
“Let’s use social media to give a good perception of who God is and who the Church really is. Let’s celebrate what’s happening in our communities without being judgmental, or acting like we’re better than anyone else. We’re not. We’re the same as everybody else, we’ve just found hope in Jesus.”
You can hear the full chat again below.