I chose to leave it up to the congregants.  I said in a newsletter piece that if they wantes to "friend" me on FB they could find me.  I however will not seek them out.

that is mostly how I do it too.  Some of the kids actually blocked me partially - they told me they did, but they didn't want me ratting them out to their parents!!   That is scary.

*Sigh*

Same deal. The main condition I lay down is if a youth wants to be my FB friend then their parents have to have a FB account and I have to be their friend too. I also usually set my status to "offline" so that I don't do private chats. That usually leaves it at the level of seeing each other's status updates and perhaps the odd time replying to the updates (on the wall, so that the replies are always visible.)

Given that using social media inappropriately to relate to students can now lead to a charge of professional misconduct for Ontario teachers, I suggest that the same standard is applicable to ministers. In other words, "Don't do it."

http://www.oct.ca/publications/PDF/Prof_Adv_Soc_Media_EN.pdf

Using social media inappropriately (I understand this has already happened in the church) could result in a 363 Review of a member of the Order of Ministry.

Why should the "same standard apply to ministers?" At what point did ministers come under the jurisdiction of the Ontario College of Teachers? Ministry is very different from teaching and to place such restrictions on ministers will inevitably damage the church. Teaching is primarily about education, with relationship secondary. Ministry is primarily about relationship, with teaching secondary - in my view, anyway. The more we continue to place impediments in the way of relationships the less "ministry" we do. Some people - adults and youth - want to connect with their pastor through Facebook, etc. I understand you disagree, but you do have a bit of a reputation around here about disagreeing with most social networking uses within church circles.

Obviously at least three of us (who all in one way or another place limits on the use of the technology) disagree with you, DKS. You're quite right that "using social media inappropriately ... could result in a 363 Review ..." So could doing anything inappropriately. So perhaps we should lock ourselves up in our offices and see no one and communicate with no one in any way? Except - that would be inappropriate and would probably lead to a 363 Review.

It's the 21st century. For better or worse this is a part of the 21st century. We need to find ways to use the media appropriately, not to simply refuse to use it or forbid its use.

Sorry you don't get it. Ministry, especially youth ministry isn't much different from teaching. And the guidance of the College of Teachers is a good practice to apply to ministry.

 Sorry. I do get it. Any ministry - including youth ministry - is very different from teaching. As long as the church continues to confirm teens and even pre-teens and then bestows upon them "full member" status with all the rights and privileges thereof we are creating a relationship which is very different from a student-teacher relationship. Obviously we come from two very different places on the map here, so let's just leave it at that.

As a youth in my church, I think that friending ministers or other people from your church is great. Of course, this only applies if you know them, and I do feel more comfortable seeking them out, instead of vice-vers. How ever i feel that it strengthens my bond with my minister and answers my questions. Just this week, I had a question about the sermon, and, despite myu search after the service, couldn't find him. So I had my mom message him on facebook (I've given it up for lent) and received a lengthy answer to my question, one that would probably have held less significancethis Sunday.