It is amazing what can be achieved in 15 seconds. TikTok videos are the new parable. Though they take a moment to watch the ripple effect of introspection and theological reflection is long lasting. From God’s pronouns to exegesis of difficult passages and every other conversation you wish your congregation would openly contemplate, these are being debated in the comment sections of TikTok videos. Learn about the power of this up and coming social media platform and how TikTok is not just for dancing anymore.

Rev. Bethany Peerbolte is the Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham Michigan (PCUSA). In September 2020, Rev. Bethany hung up the phone with a parent of a teenager who had become convinced they were going to hell. The idea was planted by a TikTok video. No one was going to tell her youth group they were anything less that fully beloved by God. Mama bear pastor mode kicked in and she made a video declaring just that “God loves you.” Nearly a year later that message is heard daily by over 300,000 people who follow Rev. Bethany’s account. “TikTok Ministry chose me, I don’t have any miracle equation except that the message of the gospel is still very needed in the world and people are still drawn to messages of extraordinary love.”