Social Media, Social Networking, Blog, Video
The Church has come a long way in the last 100 years. We’ve gone from meeting in homes and small, quaint church structures to having the capabilities of building megachurches and meeting in huge, beautiful churches. We used to read the words to our worship songs out of hymnals, now we can see them projected on a screen or wall. We used to hear about church functions from mouth to mouth but now we have the internet, social networking, advertising, etc.
In 2010 the Church has nearly endless ways to use technology to its advantage. The Church has an opportunity to use technology in Church and outside of Church, heres how:
1. YouTube
YouTube is used by many churches during services. It is used to show media clips, promote church events (thru video), show promos for Conferences and other church events.
2. Twitter
Twitter is a great resource for churches to use during church, before and after church and through the week. During church alot of people are tweeting out excerpts from the Pastors sermon, clips from the service, etc. Its really great when the Pastor and the Church have twitter accounts so you can reference them during the service. “I am at @ChurchName and @PastorSoandSo is teaching on Agape Love.”
People are using twitter during service and some people find that offensive, personally I think its great. Get the good news out to your twitter followers, give them something worth retweeting, or starting a discussion on the subject matter.
Twitter is also a great tool for church leaders, and pastors to keep Church members updated on whats going on. Here is an example, “@PastorSoandSo Had an awesome meeting with the Elders. We know God is moving and are excited for what He wants to do thru @ChurchName.” Or say Worship Team practice is getting moved back an hour and you dont have time to call everyone you could tweet it out, “Worship Practice @ChurchName has been moved to 6:30! RT!”
Twitter can be used to keep church members and the leadership in contact throughout the week. Updates on life, events, location, etc. can be tweeted out and invites for others to join! The leadership team being relational with the members is awesome!
3. Facebook
Facebook is a great tool to use to have a “Page” for the Church where you can post events, Church stuff, etc. Keep Church members up to date with church activities and a place to connect as a Church online throughout the week.
Facebook also has an app where you can put Events up and invite people to attend! Great tool for reminding people of events and getting the Word out about concerts, guest speakers, etc.
Facebook is also just a great tool to connect with and “Friend” the people in the Church and keep up to date on your congregation.
4. Blogging
Blogging is great because it gives the church a place to keep the members up to date on what God is speaking to the leaders, what is new and up and coming with the church, and a weekly or bi-weekly blog as a note from the Pastor would be awesome!
Blogging is also great to have as a place to post sermon notes, words of encouragement for the congregation, etc.
I recommend WordPress over any other Blog site ive tried out.
So, here are some useful tips on using Social Media in Ministry!
Leave comments and let us know what you think!
