How Do You Handle Improper Use of Social Media by Church Leaders and Members?

As I am writing this post, I just concluded a coaching call with an incredible friend and member of the Church Answers community. He was facing the uncomfortable situation where some of his church staff and church members engaged in a social media debate that did little good and, likely, a lot of harm. He painfully imagined the non-Christian community reading the heated digital conversation. He concluded that those Christians and his church had undoubtedly seen their Christian witness damaged.

I am typically not hesitant to offer my own opinion of issues related to church life and church leadership. This time, however, I would rather you the readers shape the narrative. I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but I know there are some incredibly wise and godly people who read this blog.

Would you help me and the community who read this blog? Would you read each of the following questions and respond to one, a few, or all?

1. Should the church have a policy regarding how paid staff interact on social media? We have addressed this issue in the past at Church Answers, but I really want to get your perspective.
2. If your answer to the previous question is “yes,” what would be the guidelines or parameters you set? I am curious to know if you think it’s all subjective, or do you think there are some clear objective guidelines that should be included?
3. What guidelines or steps should you take if church members are obviously behaving poorly on social media? This question was the most difficult…