The following applies to interactions on Warminster Baptist Church (WBC) social media or media communication including:
Facebook (e.g. Rainbow Corner);
WhatsApp groups (e.g. ‘Warminster Baptist Church’, ‘WBC Information/prayer’, house groups, ministry teams);
email or letter communication between members of the fellowship.
Galations 5:22-23a “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
If you would like technical advice on how to use media, please speak to the WBC leadership team.
Love: Seek to build others up and keep positive. Before engaging ask yourself: Is this True? Is this Kind? Is this Necessary? Heb. 10:24 “… let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”.
Privacy: Do not share other people's pastoral care information, news updates, or photos without the permission of all individuals involved. When sending emails to a wider group consider using ‘blind carbon copy’. Proverbs 11:13 “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret”.
Care: Be respectful of others’ viewpoints and opinions; and avoid engaging in personal arguments or debate. Never engage in personal attacks or insulting comments toward an individual or group. Types text can be misinterpreted or misread; so be careful how you phrase words. Ephesians 4:15 “speak the truth in love”.
Calm: Avoid engaging in social media when angry; consider pausing or ‘sleeping on it’ before commenting. James 1:19b “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”.
Gossip: Check any ‘facts’ before re-posting, even if you’ve read the information on a usually reliable source. Exodus 23:1a “Do not spread false reports”.
Focus: Respond to personal conversations within a wider group directly to an individual, rather than engaging in personal conversations on a shared platform.
Public: Remember to only type comments that you would also say face-to-face, and may be repeated or shared more widely.