social media in ministry 2.0
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Using social media in a ministry contextTRANSCRIPT
Social Media in Ministry 2.0
Effectively using social media as a helpful tool in ministry
“We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media. The choice is how well we do it.” ~Eric Qualman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxpa4dNVd3c
5 Ways to Use Social Media in Your Ministry
1. Google Hangouts & Skype2. Online resourcing3. Quick-Response (QR) Codes4. Text Messaging5. Twitter, Instagram, & Hashtags
(Oh my!)
Google Hangouts & Skype
Perfect for:Bible studiesConnecting with college studentsConnecting with youth groupsMeetingsConversations with missionaries…….
Google Hangouts & Skype
Benefits:
Can be used on multiple devices
Join in from the comforts of wherever
Up to 10 people can join a conversation
What you need:
A web camera
A laptop or smart phone device
Resourcing Congregations Through
WeeblyPerfect for providing congregation
members & friends with:Daily and weekly devotionalsFaith-based activities for kidsFaith-based articles for teens
and adultsSuggestions for church season
activities……
Resourcing Congregations Through
WeeblyBenefits:Resources the congregation outside
of the building on personal computer and mobile devices
Provides ways for members and friends to incorporate spirituality in their lives throughout the week
What you need:A computer with internet
Quick-Response (QR) Codes
Perfect for linking congregation members and friends to:
Church websitesEvent registrationsLiturgy and church
announcementsWebsites pertinent to specific
church projects…
Quick-Response (QR) Codes
Benefits:Provides a quick way to gain
access to information without a long URL or taking up too much space on paper
What you need:Smart phone (for scanning)Computer and printer
Text Messaging
Perfect for:Contacting people about a small
amount of information, the more concise the better
Using as an interactive tool in various settings
Text MessagingBenefits: Contacting people quickly with important
information Allows the receiver time to receive the
message and respond on an as-needed basis Invites introverts to pose thoughts and
questions without speaking to an entire group
What you need: A cell phone with text messaging capabilities (Please make sure to ask others if it is ok that you text them. Some would prefer a call. Others still may be charged for texting services.)
Twitter, Instagram, & Hashtagging
Perfect for:Sharing updates and events
related to your churches, youth groups, ministry teams, etc.
Creating social communities where church members and friends can interact with one another
…
TwitterTwitter allows each post to be only
140 charactersHelpful for sharing updates about the
church, upcoming events, inspiration, etc.
Twitter includes private messaging Instead of “friending” you “follow,”
which gives an option for following many different people & organizations
Instead of “sharing” you “retweet” any informative or meaningful tweets
Instagram is a photo-sharing space
Allows a person to post photos for those who follow them to view
Hashtags allow others to see related photos
Can be used to incorporate all ages in worship
Can be used for various youth activities
#Hashtags Creates an online community which allows
different people or groups to post photos or statuses separately but be connect by them
To properly create a hashtag, the number (or pound) sign must be placed in front of words and characters. There cannot be any spaces, as that breaks up the hashtag
Examples of hashtags:#IceBucketChallenge, #AddAWordRuinATheologian, #YourChurchNameHere, #WorldCup, #UCC, #ReadingChangesLives
Twitter, Instagram, & Hashtagging
Benefits:Creating online social communities
within the churchConnecting with members and friends
outside of Sunday mornings/eveningsAllows others to share information
and insight
What you need:ComputerSmart phone device
BewareFlooding your church social media pages can ultimately turn your followers off. Post 3-4 times a week, and include pictures and videos.
Get permission to post pictures and videos that have people in them
Add a section to your safe church policy to include social media boundaries
Don’t video chat with someone else alone. Consider recording all video chats.
Unplug yourself! Being in ministry during an age when you can be connected at all times can be draining. Take technology Sabbaths.