Via Twitter, pastors connect with church, others

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- With social media sites like Twitter, pastors can easily connect with their church members or fellow preachers just by typing out a message and hitting "send."

But navigating the constant stream of Twitter and other social networks from the standpoint of a pastor can be challenging since those websites are targeted toward more casual content. However, many pastors throughout the country are using Twitter as a tool to encourage and further teach the Gospel.

Micah Fries, lead pastor at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Mo., said he tweets to share further thoughts on his sermons, so church members can continue to contemplate each week's message.

"I guess for me Twitter -- and Facebook to a similar degree -- is much like an extension of the pulpit," he said. "So I try to use it regularly during the week as a means of extending the sermon throughout the week."

But Fries does more than tweet Scripture references or sermon points. His Twitter feed includes day-to-day observations and comments on his family's activities. He said showing people both his professional and personal life is important because both aspects of life are intertwined.

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