Church social media targeting

This week came across a social media post, on a country church’s page, that on first reading was cringeworthy. The author clearly intended the post to have a rawness about it yet their authority diminished through an early statement that indicated that they disliked Christians.

And then, I had a good draw of breath and tried to read it through a twenty-year old’s eyes. It was targeting twenty to thirty-year olds, right?

There were two subsequent edits of the post. Here I have pasted the original version. I have redacted certain data to ensure that the church is not identifiable:

“Can you go to church if you don’t ‘believe’? Or is that gaslighting? Answer: Yes and No.

You don’t have to ‘believe’ to go to a church, heck, you don’t even have to LIKE Christians to go to church. In fact, there was a period of time when I highly disliked most Christians, and I was in church every Sunday… because I was married to the pastor… but that’s a tale for another day lol.

Anyone and everyone can to go to church, ANY old time. It doesn’t matter if you’re 67, still believe in the tooth fairy and eat Vegemite toast with smashed banana on it for breakfast, there is a seat for you. Christians are usually friendly people and understand what it’s like to be thinking about the meaning of life, why on earth we’re here AND if there even is a God. Some Christians are just plain weird. Also, some gamers, tradies, some business owners, teachers, doctors, kids, influencers and Buddists are weird because, human. Top tip: don’t make a judgement call on God based on humans.

If you’re front-up to a church and straight out say to the people you meet (if you want to talk to people) “I don’t know anything about God or church but I’m just here to suss it out”, you’ll just about make their day. Hopefully, they’ll play it cool and won’t be all like ‘fresh meat’, but will show you around and introduce you to a few people who can help answer any questions or get you some barista grade coffee.

Truth be told, if you want to gaslight and sing “I’m a believer” from the roof top when you’re not yet, it doesn’t matter. It’s just great that you’ve chosen to go to church to get some answers about some pretty big questions.

Our church service is at X:YYam every Sunday morning at XX XX XXX, XXX.

Feel free to DM if you have any questions. Hope to see you there! @XXX

PS. We’re still married, he just isn’t pastoring a church anymore and I worked through my issues.”

Here is the verdict: It is an unconventional, slightly messy piece of communication. While it may alienate those looking for a traditional "pillar of the community," it likely resonates with people who have felt judged by churches in the past and are looking for a place where "weird" and "doubting" are allowed.

AI generated image, generated on prompt of seeking an image to suit this story.

 

The post essentially says: "We are a mess, I was a mess, but we’re here anyway." For someone who feels like a "failure" or an outsider, that might actually be more encouraging than a post showing a perfect, smiling family. The "discouraging" elements are meant to be the "hook" that proves they aren't hiding anything.

It is odd. It breaks the unspoken rule that those in leadership should be the "best" examples of the faith.

However, in the modern social media landscape—where people are increasingly cynical toward "polished" corporate or religious messaging—this post is a pivot toward vulnerability. The author is betting that people are more attracted to honesty than they are to piety.

And, maybe the authority was sound – perhaps the target audience could relate to someone who admitted a time of disliking Christians!

Shalom,

Ozhamada

P.S. When I am in that town I attend a church that happens to meet at the same time and yet it is closer to – let’s just say – the big public hospital.