You may have seen that police departments and law-enforcement unions have been issuing warnings and offering social-media training to members recently, hoping to stop a recent tide of offensive posts by police officers and other employees. There’s apparently been a wide range of controversial posts, from disgruntled employees complaining about policies to threats and even some racist comments. Law enforcement agencies have been developing social media policy to guide their own people.
Which made me think about what’s being posted by employees of churches and nonprofit organizations.
Your Church Needs a Social Media Policy
There have been numerous cases where church or ministry employees complained online about their pastor’s message, a particular church policy, or other employees. Whatever the reason, it’s not positive – particularly when the general public sees them. It tends to toss the Biblical concept of “unity” out the window when local communities see church employees complain, disrespect, or criticize the church or its leaders.
Several major churches and ministry organizations have a social media policy in place, but not many. Besides, are those policies legal? Can a church censor those posts, or fire the employee? What about freedom of speech?
