Social Media and Christian Community - Episcopal Village Conference

Social Media and Christian Community

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What is “social media,” really?

How much does social media actually cost?

What is “social media,” really?

How much does social media actually cost?

What is “social media,” really?

Does social media separate us from each other? (and other myths…)

How much does social media actually cost?

What is “social media,” really?

Does social media separate us from each other? (and other myths…)

How is social media used differently by different people?

How much does social media actually cost?

What is “social media,” really?

Does social media separate us from each other? (and other myths…)

How is social media used differently by different people?

Case examples

?What is social media?

Social media is any form of online publication or presence that allows end users to engage in multi-directional conversations in or around the content on the website.“

”

Social media is any form of online publication or presence that allows end users to engage in multi-directional conversations in or around the content on the website.

Social media uses web-based technologies to transform and broadcast media monologues into social media dialogues.

“”

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

“”

Matthew 28:19-20

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - the Message translation

God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate from the same spirit...Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out but the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! Their variety is wonderful:

wise counselclear understanding

simple trusthealing the sickmiraculous acts

proclamationdistinguishing between spirits

tonguesinterpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have common origin, but are handed out by the one Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - the Message translation

Uses of Social Media in a Faith Context

Uses of Social Media in a Faith Context

Pastoral Counseling

Uses of Social Media in a Faith Context

Pastoral Counseling

Teaching

Uses of Social Media in a Faith Context

Pastoral Counseling

Teaching

Outreach/Evangelism

Uses of Social Media in a Faith Context

Pastoral Counseling

Teaching

Outreach/Evangelism

Community building

Uses of Social Media in a Faith Context

Pastoral Counseling

Teaching

Outreach/Evangelism

Community building

Faith-Based Social Justice Work

Uses of Social Media in a Faith Context

Pastoral Counseling

Teaching

Outreach/Evangelism

Community building

Faith-Based Social Justice Work

Administration

Social media is a

ministry.ministry

tool for…

Who uses social media?

239,893, 600

239,893, 600

239,893, 600

116,010,760users

I thought all cupcake bakers were miracle makers!!

I thought all cupcake bakers were miracle makers!! = 38 years old(61% of users over 35)

I thought all cupcake bakers were miracle makers!! = 38 years old(61% of users over 35)

I thought all cupcake bakers were miracle makers!! = 38 years old(61% of users over 35)

= 39 years old

37

$How much does social media cost?

(very few people actually use these things)

all Google blogs, twitter blogsand thechurchisalive.com

nytimes.com, TED.com,Wall Street Journal

=

=

?Doesn’t social media separate us from one another?

no.

?Is social media used differently for different communities?

Know Church Demographics

Know Church Demographics

Age

Know Church Demographics

Age

Gender

Know Church Demographics

Age

Gender

Race/Ethnicity

Know Church Demographics

Age

Gender

Race/Ethnicity

Socioeconomic Status

Know Church Demographics

Age

Gender

Race/Ethnicity

Socioeconomic Status

Family Status

Age

Age

Age

Gender

Learning Styles

Learning Styles

Case Examples!

The Crossing

Blogs

• Disparate community

• No “location”

• A community solely connected through social media

• Cause/action-based

The situation:

Technologies Used

• Blogger (highly modified)

• Facebook (group)

• Twitter

• Gchat/facebook chat

Blog Structure

• 5-person “team” of bloggers, 1 “owner” of the blog

• 60% of posts are written by non-teammembers

• outreach-oriented

$5,000 raised

$5,000 raised

vibrant online community

Mission Bay Community Church(www.blogs.missionbaycc.org)

Mission Bay Community Church

• stationary church in San Francisco

• small, young congregation

• 2-5 full time staff, small session

• tech-savvy congregation

• emergent

The situation:

Technologies Used

• Typepad (blogging service)

• Facebook (page, not group)

• Twitter - @mbcc

• Yelp

Blog Structure

• Set “owners” of blog

• Dedicated staff of 7 people, 1 “owner” of blog

• Regular updates about church events, community (non-church) events, and general theological musings

“Missed Opportunities”

1) Communicate More – Clearly people would like to see their church do more on Facebook.2) Ministry Pages – A second opportunity for churches is for individual ministries to engage with people through Facebook pages.3) Facilitate Connections – A third opportunity for churches is to help their people connect with one another.4) Evangelism – A fourth opportunity for churches is to encourage and train their people to develop relationships with those who are not Christians and show God’s grace and love to them.5) Facebook Ads – A fifth opportunity for churches is to use Facebook ads to reach out to people in their community.

“Missed Opportunities”

“I would subscribe to the Facebook pages/groups of the ministries within my church that I’m involved with if they had them.”

“I would subscribe to the Facebook pages/groups of the ministries within my church that I’m involved with if they had them.”

87%

The situation:

Grace Church

• stationary church in Eerie, PA

• larger congregation (1,000+)

• 6 pastors, 9 full-time staff

• a “mixed” congregation (old and young)

Technologies Used

Communications Department

• Mass Communication: We have a church Facebook page that we use to post upcoming events and initiatives. I encourage staff not to re-post/share those, but to “like” or comment on them when appropriate.

• Individual Communication: Anyone who indicates that they want information exclusively over Facebook gets their information that way.

Staff• Individual Communication: We’ve found

that some of our volunteers like to communicate via Facebook, so we’ll message them that way, as opposed to email or phone calls. Some staff do random check-ins and set up meetings through Facebook, too.

• Transparency and Encouragement: Pastor Mike has turned this into an art form. He simply posts about his day, thoughts and highlights life moments that are encouraging and uplifting to those who follow him. He’s our most popular Facebooker, and this just might be why.

Staff

• Conversation Starters: Pastor Al, our senior pastor, is the best at this. He likes to pose questions that let other people talk it through, rather than him doing all the talking. It’s a great way to engage Christians and non-Christians to dialogue together, and it helps people in our church understand each other better.

• Meeting Prep: Derek, our executive pastor, looks people up on Facebook before he meets with them because it gives him a snapshot of things that have been going on and issues they may be wrestling with.

Vibrant online community and a well-

informed, engaged church community

Result:

Facebook/Blog promotion tips

• Tell your congregation about it

• Put it on your website

• Print it in your bulletins

• Solicit help FROM the church community (young adults, anyone?)

Try it out!

?Questions/Brainstorming