Meet the Author
John Voelz serves as one of two lead pastors at Westwinds Church (Jackson, MI), overseeing music and the arts. Given the topic of his first book, Follow You Follow Me: Why Social Networking is Essential to Ministry (2012), his Twitter profile offers a good introduction to who he understands himself to be: “Husband, Father, Poppie, Musician, Artist, Cartoon, Pastor at Westwinds, Writer, Painter, aggravator.”
Book Basics
Voelz views himself as an “aggravator in the church at large” who seeks to empower other pastors and ministry leaders to better understand and more effectively utilize social media (p. 10). He is effective in this role primarily because of his experience as an early adopter, and the significant attention his congregation has received from mainstream media (Time magazine, Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal) and from Christian media (Christianity Today, Relevant, Collide).
Follow You Follow Me: Why Social Networking is Essential to Ministry is far less edgy, innovative, or aggravating than I expected. It is, however, an adequate introductory text to the discipline of social networking in ministry, written from a theologically conservative perspective. I recommend the book to those who have not yet entered or are still very uncomfortable in the virtual world of social networking. Those already heavily invested in social networking will appreciate Voelz’ experiential stories, but will likely be disappointed by the lack of theological depth and the absence of any conversation about how what has been learned to date should shape strategies for the future.
So What?
One of the more common objections to getting involved in social networking relates to safety. I have heard concerns about safety used as the primary reason for individual church leaders, congregations, and especially youth to refrain from participating. Voelz answers this objection well:
Social networking has the same inherent risks we take every day by walking down the street, going to the mall, going to church, or eating out. We don’t know who is watching us, overhearing us, following us, or planning harm for us (if anyone is doing any of those things at all). The risks are real and unpredictable but shouldn’t paralyze us (p.63).
Consider your congregation:
- What grade would you give to the overall use of social media for ministry?
- Do you think all leaders (both volunteer and staff/clergy) believe social networking is essential for ministry? How is this answer evident in the ministry endeavors of the leaders you know best?
John Voelz. Follow You Follow Me: Why Social Networking is Essential to Ministry (Abingdon Press, 2012). ISBN: 9781426741968.