The primary purpose of Waypoints social media accounts is to disseminate information about our news, updates and events.
It is also a space for new people to find out basic information about the church, such as when and where we meet.
It is not the space in which we have discussions or back-and-forth dialogue about sermon content, theology, politics, world events, or any other topic aside from those listed above.
The reason that we do not engage in these kinds of dialogues over social media are several-fold and include the following:
Social media has a way of encouraging grave misunderstandings between people, and unnecessarily escalating situations.
Social media feeds into the cycles of outrage culture and division that are so prevalent within our society, and we do not believe this is healthy.
Discussing things via social media removes the essential element of relationship and reading body language that comes with being face-to-face with another human being. We believe these two elements are extremely important in having constructive dialogue.
Social media is open to the entire world, which opens our church up to misinterpretation from people who have not seen or experienced firsthand the culture, staff and vision-in-action of Waypoint Church.
Waypoint church is not one person, but a multitude of people with various opinions, departments and areas of expertise. We can therefore not always give an opinion via social media on behalf of the church, as it will not represent our diversity.
Therefore, this policy exists in order to outline our response to any message or comment that a member of our staff deems to be sensitive, intentionally controversial, not in the correct time or place, or written in the spirit of offense.
Our procedure exists to ensure that Waypoints social media remains a positive space that is used for its intended purpose, where all people feel safe.
This policy exists to funnel all conversations outside of those parameters into a healthy in-person platform.
Therefore our policy is as follows:
If any person makes a comment that is determined to be sensitive, intentionally controversial, not in the correct time or place or written in the spirit of offense, that person will be contacted either in a comment reply, or personal message explaining that although their feedback is very welcome, we do not engage in such conversations over social media. But, they are welcome to make a call or email to the church in order to set up an in-person appointment with one of our staff, pastors or elders.
From this point, if this person continues on with their behavior, they will be responded to with this guide, as education about our social media policy, and as a gentle warning that they will be blocked from our social media if this behavior continues further.
If after that, the person continues to make comment and ignore our policy, they will be blocked from being able to see and interact with our social media entirely. This of course does not limit them from contacting the church through other means, and in fact, as previously mentioned, we welcome a phone call or email to set up a face-to-face appointment.
Please note: this policy is not to avoid conflict and working through tough issues, but it is enforced precisely so that we can deal with such conflicts and issues in the best, most healthy and most Biblically sound way.
The heart behind this is to eliminate any misunderstandings, and to love all people as best we can; which is always face-to-face.
If you have been blocked by us on social media, and you would like to appeal that action, you are more than welcome to do so by emailing info@waypointomaha.com and somebody will be in touch with you.
Or, if you have any questions about this policy, we would be more than happy to answer those for you as well via email, over the phone, or in person.
Thank you for helping us keep and maintain our social media as a positive and informative space for the people of our church, and for those who are interested in attending.