Facebook is one of the greatest tools out there for student ministry. It is easy, fast, and there is 0 liability in that everything you say in kept in record! That being said, there are a few things that you can do to really get a positive ministry out of facebook so here it is in list form:
10. Stay positive. I used to work at a camp where we did frog kissing. Frog kisses were just little one sentence pieces of joy that we would give to kids. A great example of this is, "You cracked me up today when you made the joke about gravy. I love seeing that side of you!" It's really enthusiastic and helpful.
9. Don't be their parent. You are not responsible for what a kid does and does not post. If they have a post that is not safe, blatantly dangerous, or hateful, go to the kid's parent. If it is something you just do not like, keep your mouth shut. It is not your responsibility to raise kids who are not your own.
8. Never poke a kid. Its kind of creepy. Also, its a good way to start a poke war that will only end when one you dies.
7. The exemption to rule 9 is when I see a student I know well trash another kid on facebook. For me, I always give the same response. I send a private message saying, "I do not want to criticize you but your post sounds more like a momentary passion than something you should broadcast out. What goes out on the net stays out forever and I know from my personal mistakes this is something you probably do not want to put out into the world." Never call a kid out in public and always share your mistakes when you try to guide them with theirs. Humility goes a long way with students.
6. Exclamation marks are your friend!!!! They make you seem happy and enthused. Around half my sentences on facebook in with exclamation marks, though in my defense, when I speak, 2/3 of my sentences have exclamation marks.
5. Keep your student group invite only and hide as much info as possible. No one needs to see your membership and/or your pictures. Nothing but bad will come out of lackluster cybersecurity. Also, parents will think you are really on the ball with the 21st century even if you still use AIM.
4. Post lots of pics! Kids love pictures and they only take about 20 minutes to upload 100 of them. Its totally worth the effort and it shows kids who skipped out that what you are doing is really fun and exciting (unless you do lame stuff in which case, why are we talking about facebook when there is friendster and myspace?).
3. Keep your facebook profile clean. I would think I wouldn't have to say this to student ministers, but half my friends in student ministry have something on their profile that makes me really mad. You do not need to flaunt to your students that you drink, or curse, or animal sacrifice, or practice nudism. Common sense guidelines are good on that one.
2. Be active. Kids expect instant response. Its ok if you are not instant, but do not check your facebook just once a week. Its the new e-mail.
1. Kick yourself everyday that you did not think of facebook first. I mean its just a phone book on the computer and Zuckerburg made billions. How unfair is that?
Now go and get online!
-Schutte
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