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.