Merging Social Media and Ministry
I have been having a ton of conversations about social media in recent weeks and I recently listened to a webinar that got me thinking further about our need to merge social media and ministry. Conference calls, staff discussions, breakfast meetings, have all caused me to finally get some of my thoughts down in a blog post. In order to fulfill our mission as a church we have to engage our culture using relevant methods and do so efficiently. Social media is not a fad that will soon disappear it is a tool that is here to stay and is changing the way our world shares information. As Christians and as a church we have a responsibility to communicate our message in this environment.
If you are in ministry and considering using social media as a tool, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Size is not a barrier for churches to use social media. A church of 100 can use it just as effectively as a church of 1000.
- When you engage in a social media environment like a blog, facebook, myspace, or twitter you lose some control over the message. People have the ability to have conversations with others about your content. They can link to it, interact with it, and write about it more easily than ever before because the web is so easy to use. Your church is no longer what you say it is, it is what they say it is!
- Upside – people are sharing information about your church!
- Downside – negative comments can travel farther and faster than ever so the first impressions we make as a church are so much more important.
We need to empower our staff and our churches to engage in social media responsibly. The more engaging our team is, the more content there is about our church and our message to the world as Christians. The more engaging content there is, the more conversation there is. However, it is so important to remember that whatever digital environment we choose to use to interact with others, we still represent our church, and Christ. So we need to use it responsibly.
Here are some good rules to follow (some of these rules I modified from a webinar with Sergio Balegno):
1 – Be authentic but careful
- - Inform people why your are there, let them know what you do.
- - Be honest and authentic.
- - Don’t post things online that violate the trust others have in you.
2 – Write about things you actually know about
- - Post things that you are an expert on.
- - Be responsible for your content, if you post something inaccurate take the initiative to correct it quickly.
3 – Add value to the conversation online
- - Be thought provoking.
- - Engage others online as a leader.
- - Engage others through commenting and openly invite others to comment and join the conversation. Sometimes people in ministry can be used to “one way” conversation (since we preach and teach) so we need to remember that a social media environment is a two way conversation.
- - When using social media remember to embrace it as a student, willing to learn. The whole point is to be viewed by others as an engaging contributor to the online community.
If you have some other things you think we should consider as our churches engage others in social media, comment below…
Good stuff man … lots to think about. This is a topic we’ll be discussing for a very long time.
Interesting approach to being in the world. I gather it is about relevant communication. Without being relevant you risk not reaching your target audience. It was interesting that you pointed out two way communication. Most provocative Christian Blogs are just that thought provoking. Introducing a comparison of the world as it is in the context of Church, compared to as it should be. Unfortunately, with limited exceptions, the conversation is still one sided.
I would add another qualifier, identify your audience.
In the forum of social media, you have little control of who becomes your audience. Even framing things in a particular direction does not precluded outside interaction.
Those who engage in utilizing social media enjoy it’s flexibility, creativity, and freedom of expression. When authors enter into blogging, or other forms of social media they should have a plan for how “authentic” they want to dialogue.
This really boils down to censorship. If the author is only willing to permit posts which are in agreement, one must question the authenticity of the communication. Meaning, the audience quickly finds out that the blog is a ruse for some other agenda beyond open dialogue.
Just a point to ponder, as you promote SM as another potential missional effort.
Being relevant and engaging the culture should always be done in a cogent and concise manner, especially within written media. At the same time it must be done lovingly and creatively so as to hold the attention of the reader. In a world of text message syntax, this can be a challenge for those who do not view their blogging as a craft. This is part of the fun of blogging…rediscovering the craft of clearly communicating in a manner that holds the readers attention. As believers, there is more at stake when we blog than repeat visits to our blog site, it is the souls of people for whom Christ died that hangs in the balance. It is the carrying out of the Great Commission through making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded. It is varying the written blog with video. It is not enough to engage only the “eye gate”, but we must also use technology to engage the “ear gate” along with it.
Perhaps 4. should be:
4.Engage in it as a Great Commission craft
– Hone your skills
– Use written and video communications
Hey, I’m still learning too!
I have heard of Andy Stanley preaching in different churches but it not there physically but it seems that he is. They say this is great and unbelievable?
What is this called. Thank you. Normad77@yahoo.com
Norma, most people are calling this type of video teaching called a “video venue.” Many churches are doing this sort of thing in movietheaters and other locations as they plant new churches and move to a multi-site strategy. Lifechurch.tv has probably had the most success with this approach. Anyone can access these great communicators through a new tool that Lifechurch has set up – http://videoteaching.com hope that helps!