Monday 3rd March 2014

Social media for churches

Go & make disciples:

Agenda• Welcome / introduce yourself• 3 areas of focus– Join the conversation, be the conversation• What impact can we make on the internet &

does anyone care?

–Social Media nuts n bolts• Looking at the tools, techniques and

opportunities

–Get a vision and run with it!• Setting a vision as we reach Devon for Christ

• Toilets• ask questions anytime!• Prayer

It’s all about…

JESUSThis world needs him

LETS MAKE JESUS

FAMOUS!

THE GREAT COMISSION

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been

given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with

you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

Salt and light13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its

saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and

trampled underfoot.14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill

cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and

it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may

see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

Social media stats• Of Facebook’s nearly one billion

strong users, approximately 200 million are mobile only

• The number of Facebook users is nearly three times the population of the United States

• 95 percent of Facebook users log into their account every day. The same number for Twitter is 60 percent 

• On Facebook 350 million photos are uploaded every single day

Social media stats

• 28% of Retweets on Twitter are due to inclusion of “please RT!”

• On instagram 5 million photos uploaded every day

• Every second 8000 thousand users on Instagram like a photo

• 1 billion unique monthly visitors to Youtube

"All this technology is making us antisocial"

Adapting to technology does not mean you change the message to

fit the culture. The Word of God stands and does not need to be spiced up or watered down to fit the taste buds of any culture or

generation. The Word is alive and active as it was when God spoke it into existence. The only thing that must change is your mind-set about how you must relate it

to the culture around you.- The Social Media Gospel

Meredith Gould

PUSH MARKETING

PULL MARKETING

‘Media that is social. Social Media is an ongoing

conversation on the internet, with new conversations beginning every time someone

makes a new post. People share content (status updates, video uploads, photos and so on) and the

social interaction begins.

When you post a video, article, church event, or any type of content on a social network, you are initiating a conversation. People then Like,

Comment, Share or ignore the post. This interactive element completely changes the game when it

comes to church communication.’Social Media guide for ministry, Nils Smith

WHY social media?• The Great Commission• The message doesn’t change

communication tool does• God given tool – reach the world faster than

ever before• Social Media is where people are!• The welcome mat for your church• Show God’s love, why God is SO good &

change lives!• Personal experiences • 24/7 church – we do have the Bible. But

someone who can pray for me?

Cloud Culture: Walking the Walk & Typing the Talk: Christian Living in

the Social Media World – Chuck Giacinto, Bryce Conlan

What to post?

Your presence on Social Media same should be the same as your presence on earth – a direct outpouring of a life of worship, faith, and love of the One who

gives you life

The Social Media GospelMeredith Gould

How should I post?

Cloud Culture: Walking the Walk & Typing the Talk: Christian Living in

the Social Media World – Chuck Giacinto, Bryce Conlan

The Social Media Gospel

Meredith Gould

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY?• The Methodist Church social media policy: • Be credible. Be accurate, fair, thorough and transparent.• Be consistent. Encourage constructive criticism and deliberation.• Be cordial, honest and professional at all times. Be responsive.

When you gain insight, share it where appropriate.• Be integrated. Wherever possible, align online participation with

other communications.• Be a good representative of the Methodist Church. Remember

that you are an ambassador for Christ, the Church and your part of it. Disclose your position asa member or officer of the Church, making it clear when speaking personally. Let Galatians 5:22–26 guide your behaviour (fruits of the spirit).

• Be respectful: respect confidentiality. Respect the views of others even where you disagree.

• http://www.methodist.org.uk/ministers-and-office-holders/technology-and-church/social-media-guidelines 

In which Way?

• In order to reach people – deeply personal and relational – engage people in real way using everyday language. No ‘corporate’ church accounts

• ‘Rubbish day today’, ‘Boss annoyed me today’ – reach out! Via phone!

• Being connected (proximity) doesn’t equate to intimacy

• Building connections between people who have similar beliefs/experiences e.g. mental health

In which Way?

• When people post in a way that seeks a reaction, it’s likely because they need one

• ‘It’s not good for man to be alone’ – Genesis 2: 18 – ‘iron sharpens iron’ Proverbs 27:7 - all about relationships!

• Knowing a person involves more than an unidimensional knowing about them

http://youtu.be/d0Y33WSf5Kg

The Social Media Gospel - Meredith Gould

Core functions of facebook

• Find friends• Post status updates• Comment on others photos• Post & Tag people in photos• Offer pastoral care (boundaries)• Leave public messages on the ‘wall’• Send private ‘messages’• Join Groups, Like Pages• Link to other social media• Set up events

Calls to actionBuilding community/interaction

• View it• Like it• Comment• Share it• Write a blog about it (link to Facebook status/pic/web clip)

http://churchjuice.reframemedia.com/

media/files/pdf/Facebook_Best_Practices_2012.pdf

http://churchjuice.reframemedia.com/media/files/pdf/Facebook_Best_Practices_2012.pdf

1. Go behind the scenes

2. Offer prayer

3. Get a size perspective

4. Celebrate volunteers

5. Celebrate significant milestones

6. Pic reviews

7. Advertise events (creatively)

8. Pastor quotes (creatively)

9. Thought provoking images

10. Engage in fun way

11. Video

12. Reflect on the news

13. Slice of life

14. Create montages

15.Text based updates:From the sermon (hashtag,

Twitter handle)

Scripture

16. Be fun!

Corinne Weisgerberhttp://www.slideshare.net/corinnew/social-media-for-churches-21623555

17. Get people thinking

18. Tag people in pics

19a. Community – ask questions

19b. Community – ask questions

20. Invite collaboration

21. Share content to those who need it

When to post?

• For The River Church, 8am, 12pm and 7.00pm

• On Saturday’s PM only, Sunday AM and late PM

• Catching the wave e.g. Christmas, world events

When to post?

What’s twitter for?

• Relationships• New connections through shared

interests• Pre/During/Post service

conversations• Breaking news• Asking questions• Sharing statements/quotes

Twitter features• Tweet: 140 Characters• ReTweet: (RT) Acknowledge the

source• @username• Direct Message (DM): ‘Private’

message• Trending Topic• #Hashtag• Lists

#verse14

bbc.co.uk/news

Tweeting away…• Tweet to share answered prayer (e.g. “Praise God – the rain

held off til 3pm! A fantastic day – lots of people, good conversations, tasty cupcakes, funky music. God is very good.”)

• Tweet to share thought provoking quotes from other Christians on Twitter (e.g. “”Sin is the despairing refusal to find your deepest identity in your relationship and service to God.”)

• Tweet to point people to resources that reinforce the themes of recent sermons (e.g. “The heavens declare the glory of God. Beautiful video to remind us of the wonder of creation.)

• Tweet lyrics from great Christian hymns and songs (e.g. “Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above. And Heav’n's peace and perfect justice.)

http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/15-ways-for-churches-to-use-twitter/

Tweeting away…• Tweet about upcoming church activities (e.g.

“Community lunch this Sunday at 12.30pm. Come along, meet local members of our community, enjoy tasty food”.)

• Tweet to encourage church members to read beforehand, the Bible passages that will be preached at church on the weekend.

• Tweet to encourage people to read, and share what they are reading (e.g. “I’m reading ‘Faith Beyond Feelings’ by Jonathan Edwards. What are you reading?”)

• Tweet to urge people to pray (e.g. “Our 125-year anniversary activities kick off this Saturday with the fair trade marketing & winter appeal. Please pray.”)

www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/15-ways-for-churches-to-use-twitter

/

Richard Littledale

 Teddington

Baptist Church

Instagram IS VISUAL

INSTAGRAM VIDEOIt can be 3-15 seconds long

http://www.stevefogg.com/2013/11/28/instagram-video-church/

• Share the sermon • Testimonies e.g. healings• Promos/Adverts• Specialised content e.g.

C of E related to weddings

• Service roundup• Youtube Capture App – easy upload

Sharing video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri9bvn9Uh4Y

Lots of other tools…

• Audioboo• Vimeo • WhatsApp• Livestream/Youtube• Pinterest• Slideshare• Snapchat• Wordpress/Blogger

Your ideas!

How could your church/ministry use

Facebook? e.g. what sort of things

would you post? Creative ideas?

Future of social• 80% of visitors look at website/SM before

visit*

• Collaboration e.g. Lifechurch.tv what do you fear?

• Lists highly sharable e.g. Buzzfeed

• Less text – focus on images

• Social will be apart of everyday lives e.g. Snapchat

• How we use Social Media now effects future

• Paying to get your posts noticed• *http://pastors.com/7-ways-to-have-a-great-church-facebook-page/

Toolsto help you in your social media ministry

Hootsuite

Tweetdeck

Facebook scheduler

Good IPhone apps

Piclab A Beautiful Mess

Word Swag

Good IPhone apps

Phoster PicFrameReplay

Facebook Pages

Good IPhone apps

Other Online communities

• CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE!–Facebook communities

(comments/groups)–Youtube

comments/discussions (heated?)–Messageboards,

chatrooms, wikis–Church Online e.g. i-

church, St Pixels, Second Life– ‘Experiences’ e.g.

lifechurch.tv

Social media & your church–What platforms are

your church members using? i.e. be sustainable–What people can

work on developing this ministry?–Who you are you

interested in reaching?–What can you put on

your platform(s) - developing a ‘vision’ instead of a strategy

Social media & your church

–Brain storming ideas e.g. events in your church, telling your Sunday story digitally–Tools e.g. apps for your phone/computer–Routine (in part developed through

experience)–Try things out!–Spend time in prayer/offline/reading the

Bible i.e. preventing Social Media fatigue–Be authentic – don’t be false people will

see right through you/your church!

Sunday social media checklist

• Update your Social Media Ministry channels with a preview of the Sunday Morning Message e.g. scripture, notes from message title

• Start the day by making a Declaration on Social Media e.g. 'This is the Day that the Lord has made, let us Rejoice and be Glad in it.' Give God praise and encourage others to do the same.  

• Status Update a Prayer asking God to have his way in the service and that the needs of the people are met. You can also pray for the Speaker and Leadership.http://www.socialmediaministry.org/2012/12/a-

quick-sunday-social-media-checklist.html?m=1

Sunday social media checklist

• Post Images of your Ministry to Facebook, Twitter etc. Allow people to visually experience the service.

• Have a member of your team post Scripture references, Sermon Notes, and Quotes from the message  to Social Media. This will allow those that could not attend service to follow and still receive the Word. People can also back and review the updates. Offer Salvation, Prayer, Encouragement, etc.

• Post a video clip of the Morning Service and Message to YouTube. Making the preached Word available to everyone beyond the four walls

• Blog post from Pastorhttp://www.socialmediaministry.org/2012/12/a-quick-sunday-social-media-checklist.html?m=1

Keep in touch…

@ijasonham

/ham.jaso

n

thedigitalgospel.co.uk

Let’s connect

• Fill out one of the feedback forms• And fill out a connect form• Devon Churches New Media

Network – breakfast, guest speakers at meetings?• Christian New Media Conference,

November, London

Final thought…

'What some refer to as self-serving, personal platform-building, ego-enhancing

social networking is transformed into a primary way the Body of Christ can guide the lonely, hurt, confused, and lost people

in our world into community and a personal relationship with Jesus.‘

– Dana Byers

http://blog.christianleadershipalliance.org/2014/01/13/making-online-connections

s

Social media for churches

Go & make disciples: