Five Quick Tips for Using Twitter

My dirty little non-secret is that, even though I've made a lot of noise about the dangers of cluttering our lives with social media, I created a Twitter account more than a month ago because my partner-in-crime Andy Brazelton convinced me that its upside outweighs its downside. And a lot of youth pastors agree-here are five quick guidelines for using Twitter wisely, sent in by youth pastors on Twitter nation.

Adults use Twitter more than teenagers, so use it to stay connected to your leaders and give parents updates when you're away on a mission trip or retreat or at camp.

1. Since Facebook is the online-space-of-choice for most teenagers, use Twitter to automatically update your Facebook page. Just go to your Facebook page, plug in "Twitter" in the search box, click on the Twitter application, then click on the "Install Application" link. You can also use Twitter to automatically update your Web page or blog.
2. After a lesson or a retreat or a small-group meeting you can follow up with additional resources, Bible references, or thoughts using your Twitter account. Text the same messages to kids and you've covered the communication bases.
3. Use your Twitter account to let everyone, including parents and adult leaders, know about important announcements and prayer requests.
4. Quickly gather feedback on important decisions, lesson topics and illustrations, and even survey questions.

Twitter is the communication equivalent of a loaded handgun-we'd better pause and learn how to use it before we squeeze the trigger.

Rick Lawrence has been editor of GROUP for 21 years. Pick up a copy of his book Jesus-Centered Youth Ministry or his 10-week study for adults and teenagers In Pursuit of Jesus or his new 10-study small group resource for teenagers Ten Tough Things.  Or follow him on Twitter: Twitter.com/RickSkip.