From Noise to Nurture
For many seekers, scrolling through social media is the modern equivalent of walking through the marketplace in Athens (Acts 17). It’s noisy, crowded, and full of competing voices. But it’s also where people are searching for meaning, belonging, and hope.
The church has a choice: either leave the conversation to influencers and advertisers, or step into the feed with a pastoral presence that says, “You are seen. You are loved. You are not alone.”
Social media is not just entertainment. It’s a mission field.
Key Insight
Social media is today’s public square. The church that shows up there with authenticity and compassion will not only be seen — it will be heard by seekers who are already listening.
72% of U.S. adults use at least one social media platform
Among young adults (ages 18–29), that number jumps to 84%.
Encouragement for Leaders
Pastor, you don’t need to be an influencer. You need to be a shepherd.
A 60 second video of you praying for anxious hearts can reach someone who would never walk into your sanctuary.
A simple post about God’s love can interrupt someone’s doomscrolling with hope.
A reply to a comment can be the first time a seeker feels a pastor noticed them.
Social media is not about chasing likes. It’s about extending pastoral care into the spaces where people already live their lives.
What Pastoral Presence Looks Like Online
Pastoral presence on social media doesn’t mean slick branding or viral stunts. It means showing up with authenticity, compassion, and consistency.
Encouragement in the Feed: Short posts, reels, or stories that offer Scripture, prayer, or hope in the middle of someone’s scroll.
Testimonies that Speak: Sharing real stories of transformation that resonate more deeply than polished campaigns.
Interactive Care: Responding to comments, praying for requests, and creating space for dialogue.
Digital Small Groups: Using private Facebook groups, Zoom, or other platforms to create safe spaces for seekers to explore faith before they’re ready to attend in person.
Resource Sharing: Linking to devotionals, counseling resources, or sermon clips that meet people where they are.
References
Barna Group. (2019). Reviving Evangelism: Current Realities That Demand a New Vision for Sharing Faith. https://access.barna.com/studies/reviving-evangelism/
Alpha Canada & Barna Group. (2021). Reviving Evangelism in the Next Generation. https://alphacanada.org/nextgenbarnastudy/
Lifeway Research. (2022). How to Use Social Media as a Church—4 Struggles. https://research.lifeway.com/2022/07/28/how-to-use-social-media-as-a-church/
Barna Group. (2020). The Connected Generation Project. https://theconnectedgeneration.com/about/
Pew Research Center. (2024). How Americans Use Social Media. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-social-media-use/
IQ Hashtags. (2025). Best #faith hashtags for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube. https://iqhashtags.com/hashtags/hashtag/faith
(2025). 25 Engaging Facebook Groups Statistics to Know in 2025. https://khrisdigital.com/facebook-groups-statistics/
(2025). Church Live Streaming Statistics & Online Virtual Service Trends. https://www.dacast.com/blog/church-live-streaming-statistics/