Facebook is being used more all the time as a ministry tool.  When I heard that Journey Church in Medina, TN was using it to follow up on those missing from the church, I was intrigued.  The idea is simple.  If someone has been missing for a while, Pastor Jeremy Brown, fires up Facebook and puts this image on their wall.He then includes a short personal message.  Jeremy argues that the handwritten note, while nice, just isn’t a normal way that people communicate anymore.  People are much more likely to tell a friend something on Facebook than sending them a written note.  Plus, it saves this new church money in postage and paper.  Hand cramping is way down too.

Jeremy says that people are responding well to these notes on their wall.  They frequently respond within minutes letting him know what’s going on.  Jeremy encourages other church members to add notes of encouragement as well.

So what do you think?  Is this a good use of Facebook.  Some may suggest that putting such a note on their wall, is an intrusion on privacy.  Jeremy argues that no one has suggested that yet and that putting a note on their wall allows other people to chime in with encouragement and let’s the missing person’s friends see that their church cares.  So is it great pastoral care or does this cross a line?  What are your thoughts?  How else are you using Facebook and social media tools to follow up with people in the church?