Using social media in your congregation
These are the notes and some resources from a presentation Fr. Tim Schenck and I gave for the Biennial Conference of the New England Deacons Network on October 2, 2010. If you have questions or things to add, please let us know!
This is not a fad. For 2,000 years, Christians have used cutting-edge technology to build community, proclaim the Good News, and build God’s kingdom.
Social media is about…
Evangelism – Reach beyond the current congregation to share the Good News
Formation – Teaching the faith
Fellowship – People can enjoy conversations & interactions with one another
Outreach – Raising awareness of the needs of the community & world
Some guidelines
Be safe!
Have fun!
Update regularly!
Involve others (especially the clergy & lay leaders)!
Channels for social Media
Social space (friends, groups) – www.facebook.com
Regular updates, real time – www.twitter.com
Photos – www.flickr.com
Location – www.foursquare.com
Videos – www.youtube.com
Blogs – www.blogger.com
Setting up Facebook
Create a page (not a group or a profile)
Follow similar rules to in-person gatherings
Post photos, videos, notes and tag people
Share the work, interact often
Link on website, email newsletter, promote in leaflet
Websites/Links to check out
www.churchmarketingsucks.com
anglimergent.ning.com
www.diocesemo.org/aboutus/socialmedia.htm
www.kingdomstrategist.com/facebook-and-church-social-media-strategy
Bonus Links! Not on the handout!
The video we showed — “Is social media a fad?”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhPgUcjGQAw
Resources on Facebook for congregations
www.churchmarketingsucks.com/2010/07/facebook-for-churches-resources/
A great article in The Atlantic Monthly on embracing technology
http://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2010/07/how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-technology/60559/
Thanks to @HeyToepfer for the Atlantic article.
Scott and Tim….cudos for your lively and engaging presentation this afternoon. I was captivated by it and am anxious to take our Facebook crowd at St. Michael’s to another group, i.e., the youth. Many thanks….look forward to seeing you two in the future sometime.
Joel