Custom Facebook Page Policies for Churches
As Facebook Page owners or administrators, we come across from time to time predicaments that can put us in a tight spot. I'm speaking about blocking some fans/followers from your church Facebook.
At this point, let us determine some reasons as to why you should block some people from your church Facebook fan page. Facebook Page admins or any Facebook account owner for example, predominantly blocks people who are aggressive, ridiculous, arrogant or annoying. (In some cases that could be half the Church!) Other serious issues are the so-called bullies and stalkers.
Often times, your page followers are actually the people you know or have a certain attachment to. (like a fan's friend or a mutual friend) There is a big difference between blocking a person who is a stranger to you and having to block a person who is also a fellow member of your church, Am I correct on that? This is acceptable because there is a certain amount of "personal connection" that causes empathy to the would-be blocked user.
On a personal note, I maintain that a custom facebook page should have regulations. Its owners, admins, and members alike should be required to follow certain rules on etiquette, proper decorum, and good conduct to state the least. Honestly, I do not have knowledge of this tpe of issue until I a fellow Page admin caught my attention when he started to complain about a particular fan's annoying comments and posts that he had to delete manually every time. Noticing the hassle of constantly monitoring a Page looking for inappropriate comments, I personally suggested that we have to be conscientious as equally as possible on reminding followers to think before they post something and at the same time observe our rules in posting while hoping to discourage unruly fans from publishing unacceptable comments and posts.
What if these simple reminders are unsuccessful? I believe that after a number of attempts to call the attention of a person and yet he/she still exhibits no improvement in behavior at all, that signals a more drastic strategy which is blocking him/her frem the church Facebook page. As the one in-charge, it is your obligation to create a like page on facebook. Just consider the would-be effects of such comments to the other followers (especially if there are members who are still minors) and how an individual's comment can completely ruin an interesting discussion. Your fans deserve to have a feeling of being in a healthy, comfortable and safe zone in your Fan Page.
For all its intents and purposes, the "Blocking" feature of Facebook should only be applied as an ultimate solution, if you think you have already used up all possible means to correct the person involved. By the time you have reached that level and made the decision, you should not feel awful about it. Although it is your Church's online representation, its Facebook Fan Page is a separate entity from the physical Church. This does not in any way prevent blocked fans from physically attending and participating in its services and activities. Who knows, this might work as a heads-up for that person to change his ways.
At this point, let us determine some reasons as to why you should block some people from your church Facebook fan page. Facebook Page admins or any Facebook account owner for example, predominantly blocks people who are aggressive, ridiculous, arrogant or annoying. (In some cases that could be half the Church!) Other serious issues are the so-called bullies and stalkers.
Often times, your page followers are actually the people you know or have a certain attachment to. (like a fan's friend or a mutual friend) There is a big difference between blocking a person who is a stranger to you and having to block a person who is also a fellow member of your church, Am I correct on that? This is acceptable because there is a certain amount of "personal connection" that causes empathy to the would-be blocked user.
On a personal note, I maintain that a custom facebook page should have regulations. Its owners, admins, and members alike should be required to follow certain rules on etiquette, proper decorum, and good conduct to state the least. Honestly, I do not have knowledge of this tpe of issue until I a fellow Page admin caught my attention when he started to complain about a particular fan's annoying comments and posts that he had to delete manually every time. Noticing the hassle of constantly monitoring a Page looking for inappropriate comments, I personally suggested that we have to be conscientious as equally as possible on reminding followers to think before they post something and at the same time observe our rules in posting while hoping to discourage unruly fans from publishing unacceptable comments and posts.
What if these simple reminders are unsuccessful? I believe that after a number of attempts to call the attention of a person and yet he/she still exhibits no improvement in behavior at all, that signals a more drastic strategy which is blocking him/her frem the church Facebook page. As the one in-charge, it is your obligation to create a like page on facebook. Just consider the would-be effects of such comments to the other followers (especially if there are members who are still minors) and how an individual's comment can completely ruin an interesting discussion. Your fans deserve to have a feeling of being in a healthy, comfortable and safe zone in your Fan Page.
For all its intents and purposes, the "Blocking" feature of Facebook should only be applied as an ultimate solution, if you think you have already used up all possible means to correct the person involved. By the time you have reached that level and made the decision, you should not feel awful about it. Although it is your Church's online representation, its Facebook Fan Page is a separate entity from the physical Church. This does not in any way prevent blocked fans from physically attending and participating in its services and activities. Who knows, this might work as a heads-up for that person to change his ways.
About the Author:
For further information on how to make a like page on facebook, feel free to visit Chad Gleaves' site.