I have two Facebook accounts, one for family and non-church friends and one for total church use. It seems to work out well at this point.

I decided against "friending" any parishioner of any age. I use Facebook only to keep up with clergy friends, family, and friends at some distance from my parish. This permits me to post political comments, observations about the church, homiletical musings, etc. without "upsetting" parishioners. For the parish I have a "religious institution" group page and post to that items of a non-personal nature.

I appreciate the irony of being able to sign in using Facebook to comment!

-I figured out how to use privacy settings and groups, and for certain statuses and photos, I restrict who can see it. This works. Use it.
-I had to get Facebook for a work conference, so it was always more work-oriented. Family came later.
-I don't post anything I wouldn't want to see in the newspaper. Seriously.
-I de-tag pictures of myself which are questionable- most family pictures and anything where I'm holding a drink, and certain goofy pictures- get deleted, as do albums after a while.
-I don't play games and have become very careful about liking anything (due to viruses).

Betsy Tesi

As a parishioner who has used Facebook for social and professional purposes, I would enjoy "friending" clergy, both local and some of the notable individuals in the wider church. Better still, I would like my children to "friend" them.

I know it sounds strange, but I am interested if my Priest goes to a ball game, has a good meal, or "likes" Jon Stewart, just as I would be for a member of my family. Those of us in the pews like to see you without your vestments once in a while.

Yes, there are risks and yes, it can be labor intensive, but this type of social medium isn't going away. Besides, what better way to reach the younger generation? Who knows, a simple "like" or brief hello from a priest on the wall of an angst-filled 14 year old might make a difference.

We are family, right? Or am I being naive?

Our Dean is on FB, and is actually one of the people whose example got me started using FB. We should always be careful of our speech, whether FB or not, and we should assume that everything we post could be on a billboard outside for all to see.
I'm not sure that 'offending' a parishioner should be a worry. I certainly do not find it disturbing to see a clergy person holding a drink or "looking goofy." I have no illusions that bishops/priests/deacons/religious are not "real people too," and if we are still harboring illusions of "super holy people," we need to get rid of them. I think, in some ways, that the "two accounts" or heavily edited posts seem a bit overly cautious. I can understand wanting privacy, so that not everything you do is in a public forum, but FB is not about that nor contrary to it. If a clergy person is so fearful of being "found out," then it makes me wonder what they are doing that they are trying so hard to hide?
For us at Trinity Cathedral, our FB cathedral friends, including our clergy, have helped a sense of community that extends beyond Sunday AM.

As a freelancer, I have to understand that every interaction might be a business interaction. But that also means I depend on connections, and an active presence on Facebook is a good way to make those connections. So I use the privacy list function heavily, making double-sure that any posts my professional contacts can see are positive and, well, professional.

No matter who can see it, though, I want to be able to stand behind everything I post. If I wouldn't feel comfortable defending it, I won't post it.

I only have one FB account, which I use for both personal and professional posts (such as they are). I happily accept parishioner friend requests. However, I don't send requests to parishioners because I don't want anyone to feel that he/she has to accept.

I'm careful with my privacy settings and in what I post, but I would be circumspect regardless of whom I'd "friended" -- it's just that basic "would you want this on the front page of the newspaper or shown to your mom?" caution that should be used with all public remarks. And FB is nothing if not public, no matter what your privacy settings might be!

Julie Murdoch+