Social Media for Churches (Hereford Diocese)
Transcript of Social Media for Churches (Hereford Diocese)
SOCIAL MEDIA
FOR CHURCHES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
Dr Bex Lewis
Director, Digital Fingerprint
Research Fellow in Social Media and Online Learning,
CODEC Centre for Digital Theology, Durham University
February 2015 for http://www.hereford.anglican.orghttp://www.slideshare.net/drbexl/social-media-for-churches-
hereford-diocese
https://twitter.com/drbexl
Let’s “tweet” each other… “Let’s Tweet Each Other”
SESSION 1Why Social Media?
Image Credit: Facebook Meme
Even though in practice, face-to-face
communication can, of course, be
angry, negligent, resistant, deceitful and
inflexible, somehow it remains the ideal
against which mediated communication
is judged as flawed.
Prof Sonia Livingstone, Children and the
Internet: Great Expectations and Challenging
Realities. 2009, p26
http://youtu.be/MpIOClX1jPE
SOCIAL Media
"If you want to build a presence in the social media
platform, then you need to be present."
- @unmarketing
https://twitter.com/LeistCatalano/status/473076349394255872/photo/1
@drbexl
The digital environment is not a parallel or purely virtual
world, but is part of the daily experience of many people,
especially the young. Social networks are the result of
human interaction, but for their part they also reshape the
dynamics of communication, which builds relationships: a
considered understanding of this environment is
therefore a prerequisite for a significant presence
there.
Pope Benedict XVI (2013)
@drbexl
http://youtu.be/J5R1s8lrKuQ
The Big Questions
•Why
•Where
•When
•What
•Who
•To achieve
what?
•How do the
digital tools
help achieve
this?
WHY?
Image Credit: The Worship Cloud
Understand the Culture
Image Credit: Bex Lewis, Morocco, 2014
http://youtu.be/zxpa4dNVd3c
Networks of Networks
The Church Front Door?
For many churchgoing is no longer the
‘cultural norm’. People don’t actively ignore
the church: they don’t even think about it.
Matthew 5:13-16 calls us to be salt and
light in the world, and for thousands in the
‘digital age’, that world includes social
networks such Twitter, Facebook, YouTube
and Pinterest. With literally billions in the
digital spaces, the online social spaces
presented by churches need to be
appealing, welcoming, and not look like
they are just an afterthought: they are now
effectively the ‘front door’ to your
church for digital users, and you ignore
those spaces at your peril.
http://www.churchgrowthrd.org.uk/blog/churchgrowth/growing_churches_in_the_digital_age Image Credit: Sxc.hu
http://i2.thejournal.co.uk/incoming/article6026679.ece/alternates/s615/clarke3main.jpg
We are not selling something to the world that will
make more people like us, believe in our story, join
our churches. We are trying to be something in the
world that invites connection and compassion,
encourages comfort and healing for those in need,
and challenges those in power to use that power in
the service of justice and love
(Drescher, 2011, 127)
Carl Medearis
Relax, enjoy your friends. Enjoy their company along with the company of Jesus. Point him out, freely, without fear or intimidation. You’re not responsible to sell him to them. You’re simply saying what you’ve seen. You're not the judge. You’re the witness.
Source: Netcasters?
Image Credit: Purchased Stockfresh
Social Media: More than
the cherry on the cake!
#ChristmasStarts
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23christmasstarts&src=typd
#ChristmasMeans
http://instagram.com/p/iSIc8xNmmF/
#EasterMeans
http://onlinepraise.wordpress.com/category/easter-2014/
WHY IS THERE SO MUCH FEAR?
Image Source: RGBStock
An incredible new
technology enables the
transmission of text on a
worldwide basis. It rapidly
reduces production and
distribution costs and for the
first time allows large
numbers of people to access
text and pictures in their
own homes.
https://twitter.com/hanelly/status/405754162555944960/photo/1
A moral panic may be
defined as an episode, often
triggered by alarming media
stories and reinforced by
reactive laws and public
policy, of exaggerated or
misdirected public concern,
anxiety, fear, or anger over a
perceived threat to social
order. http://www.ashgate.com/pdf/SamplePages/Ashgate-Research-
Companion-to-Moral-Panics-Intro.pdf
Image Credit: Stockfresh
Right back to Socrates…
This discovery of yours will create
forgetfulness in the learners' souls,
because they will not use their
memories; they will trust to the external
written characters and not remember
of themselves…you give your disciples
not truth, but only the semblance of
truth; they will be hearers of many
things and will have learned nothing. (Phaedrus, Benjamin Jowett trans.)
http://bigthink.
com/learning-
from-the-
past/socrates-
wouldnt-trust-
the-web-
should-we-
trust-him
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Lion Hudson
(2014)
https://audioboo.fm/boos/1577833-what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-
digital-disciple-with-changingworship
Love thy neighbour?
What does it mean to ‘love your neighbour’ in a worldin which a ‘friend’ might as easily be the kid from downthe street you grew up with as a woman in Botswanawhom you’ve never seen in person and only know inthe context of Facebook status updates, photos, andnotes? … How can we negotiate spiritual interaction inthese contexts without losing sight of basic elements ofChristian faith expressed in traditional embodied andgeographically located practices of prayer, worship, andcompassion towards others?
Tweet if You Heart Jesus, 2011, p.xiv
Human Beings
at machines, not
“are machines”
Image Source: Stockfresh
[If we are…] means by which God
communicates and reveals himself through his
Spirit, then our blog posts, status updates,
tweets, artistic images, and online comments
should be products of a life transformed by Christ
and indwelled by his Spirit. As restored image
bearers, our online presence and activity should
image the Triune God.
Byers, A. Theomedia (2013, 196)
“Technology should not dictate our
values or our methods. Rather, we
must use technology out of our
convictions and values.”
John Dyer, From the Garden to the
City, 2011,p5
What (Biblical) values do we want to
see in our (digital) world?
Image Credit: iStockPhoto
SESSION 2Opening the Toolbox: Twitter & Facebook
WHERE?
OPENING THE TOOLBOX
http://www.maylor.net/2013/08/2
5/social-media-explained-for-
churches
http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/files/2014/01/social-media-networks.png
Image Credit: Landingnet.co.uk
10 Essentials for Twitter
1: 140 Characters
Train Tweets
2: Followers
http://twittercounter.com/pages/100
3: Bio
Twitter Spokesperson:
“Twitter brings you
closer to the things
you are passionate
about - and for millions
of people across the
globe that is faith.”
http://news.sky.com/story/1022800/senior-bishops-to-tweet-
christmas-sermons
https://twitter.com/c_of_e/
https://twitter.com/ourcofe
https://twitter.com/hereforddiocese
https://twitter.com/ccwinch
https://twitter.com/spckpublishing
https://twitter.com/biblesummary
https://twitter.com/Natwivity
4: RTs, MTs & HTs
RTs, MTs and HTs
5: #Hashtags
http://bigbible.org.uk/2013/03/looking-for-an-opportunity-changingworship/
http://anglicanmemes.com/2013
/03/25/the-church-of-england-
goes-to-hollywood-the-best-of-
churchofenglandfilms/
6: Trending Topics
26/01/15: 16:03
7: Favourites
8: Lists
9 : Verification
10: It’s good for…
• New connections via shared
interests
• Building your “brand”
• Pre/During/Post Event Conversations
• Breaking news
• Asking questions
• Sharing good resources
• Sharing pithy statements/quotes
• Being “polemical”
Tweeting in Church?
• Good Thing?
• Bad Thing?
• Why might/might
not people tweet
in church?
• What might
encourage more
‘engagement’?
Image Credit: Purchased Stockfresh
P.S. https://support.twitter.com/articles/14589-how-
to-add-your-phone-via-sms
http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/blog/2014/06/07/social-media-2014-statistics-interactive-infographic/
8 Essentials for Facebook
1: Personal Profile
2: Write on Walls
3: Pages
https://www.facebook.com/DigitalBible/info
Facebook functions in ministry?
• Encourage Community
• Whole (life) Church
• Groups (e.g. 20s30s)
• Give others insights into ‘church life’
e.g. photo sharing
• Offer pastoral care
• *Youth: PM’s, CC parents/another
leader in
• Advertise Events
Facebook Insights
4: Groups
http://bigbible.org.uk/2012/10/a-good-news-story-murielsowden/
5: Events
6: The Like Button
‘Amongst Friends…’
How do you feel about these?
7: Age/Gender
http://www.socialbakers.com/facebook-statistics/united-kingdom
8: Help!
LUNCH
Image Credit: Purchased Stockfresh
SESSION 3The toolbox continues: YouTube, Blogging, visual and
audio platforms
9 Thoughts for YouTube
http://www.jeffbullas.com/2013/02/11/the-facts-and-figures-on-youtube-in-2013-infographic
1: Search
YouTube: “How To Read the Bible”
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF0pVplsI8R5kcAqgtoRqoA
2: Popular?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYXGVzPydF8
http://youtu.be/ObC0lcC-hLA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzIBZQkj6SY
http://youtu.be/RBQ-IoHfimQ
http://youtu.be/eWSlDlCIajw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpmM02IE6oI
3: Everyday Tools
5: Upload
https://www.youtube.com/upload
https://support.google.com/youtube/topic/2888648?hl=en-GB
Simple ideas for Video:
• Think of the STORIES you have to tell,
and how you might tell them –
• Events: Before/After
• Sermons: Quick Overviews/Responses
• People & Their Lives
• What can you “How To”?
• Engage with other’s videos:
• Comment (no flaming)
• Blog about them
• Add to favourites/playlist
http://www.ibtimes.com/upworthys-top-topics-lgbt-gender-equality-bullying-social-issues-dominate-2013-it-sustainable
6: Channel
7: Playlist
8: Comment
9: Simple ideas for Video
•Think of the STORIES you have
to tell, and how you might tell
them –
• Events: Before/After
• Sermons: Quick
Overviews/Responses
• People & Their Lives
• What can you “How To”?
https://vine.co/v/bTiAYaT2QpD
7 Thoughts re: Blogging
1: Blog Characteristics
• A reverse diary (most recent entry first)
• A publically accessible personal journal
• Reflections, comments and hyperlinks
• Commentary/news on a particular
subject
• Text/Image/Links including media
• Interactive, especially comments
• Potentially informal tone
2: Ideas for Content
• “See what we’ve been up to”
• Thoughts & Reflections
• Reviews (Books, films, websites) etc.
• Challenging ideas for debate
• Interviews (Text, Audio, Video)
• ‘Best Of’ Content
• ‘How-to’ Posts
• 10 things you can…
• Guest Posts
3: Get Inspired…
http://thenextweb.com/dd/2015/01/02/10-web-design-trends-can-expect-see-2015/
4: Think About
•Who are you blogging for?
•How often can you blog?
•What style of blog will you use?
•What content can you produce?
•What do you want Google to find?
•Who else can you bring on board?
https://wordpress.com
http://www.slideshare.net/drbexl/2013-decblogging-with-word-press-for-digidisciple
5: Wordpress
6: Tumblr
http://bigbible.tumblr.com
http://youtu.be/8j-Iy8fP0Ek
7: Sermon vs Blog?
3 thoughts on
the Visual…
http://j.mp/pincw
1: Pinterest
http://instagram.com/drbexl
2: Instagram
http://365project.org
3: Image Sources, e.g.
• FREE
• http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons
• http://www.sxc.hu
• http://rgbstock.com
• http://www.freebibleimages.org
• PAID
• http://theworshipcloud.com (Christian)
• http://stockfresh.com/
• http://iStockPhoto.com• See: http://bigbible.org.uk/about/policies/image-policy/ for more
Audio?
https://audioboom.com/users/51414/boos
http://www.minehead-baptist.com/how-to-podcast-sermons.pdf
http://www.whatsapp.com
http://www.snapchat.com
SESSION 4Some Strategy: When, What, Who
WHEN?
1 : Hootsuite
http://www.slideshare.net/drbexl/daily-twitter-workout
2: Buffer
3: Google Alerts
http://www.google.com/alerts
https://ifttt.com/myrecipes/personal
4: IFTTT
WHAT?
Think about
•Keywords
•Humour
•Vulnerability
•Authenticity
•Stories
Who might read it?
•God
•Parents
•‘The kids’
•The newspaper
•Your worst enemy
Image Credit: Stockfresh
H.A.L.T.
If you are Hungry,
Angry, Lonely or Tired,
step away from the
keyboard/keypad and
deal with that issue
first.http://redcatco.com/communication/stop-posting-social-media/
@BenjaminEllis
Think of the Consequences
It seems obvious, but sometimes that anger isn’t apparent until we see the hurt reaction from our unintended victims, and by that point the damage is done, with the evidence there for all to see. And no, deleting the tweets later doesn’t help (hello Kanye West). At best you are going to end up looking a bit silly.http://redcatco.com/communication/stop-posting-social-media/
@BenjaminEllis
Principles of Good Engagement
•Be interesting
•Be encouraging
•Be active
•Be helpful
•Be authentic
Image Credit: Stockfresh
Don’t look to “publish” but
engage in a CONVERSATION
Image source: Stockfresh
“Call to Action”
• Don’t make it too
complicated to participate
• Define an (easy) action
• Define the (simple)
benefit(s)
• Give a (short) time frame
Image Credit: Purchased Stockfresh
WHO?
Your audience
•Who are you
interested in
reaching/listeni
ng to?
•What ‘problems’
are you seeking
to solve for
them?
Image Credit: Purchased Stockfresh
Personas
http://justinwise.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/carol-blog-9-555x822.jpg
All devices: “responsive” design
http://youtu.be/AyV7ll85MqU
Don’t forget…
Image Source: RGBStock
Strategy
Agree ‘a voice’
http://www.methodist.org.uk/ministers-and-office-
holders/technology-and-church/social-media-guidelines
• The principles applied to this are:
• Be credible. Be accurate, fair, thorough and transparent.
• Be consistent. Encourage constructive criticism and deliberation.
• Be cordial, honest and professional at all times. Be responsive. When you gain insight, share it where appropriate.
• Be integrated. Wherever possible, align online participation with other communications.
• Be a good representative of the Methodist Church. Remember that you are an ambassador for Christ, the Church and your part of it. Disclose your position as a member or officer of the Church, making it clear when speaking personally. Let Galatians 5:22-26 guide your behaviour.
• Be respectful: respect confidentiality. Respect the views of others even where you disagree.
Bath & Wells Diocese 9 Twitter Rules
• Don't rush in
• Remember tweets are transient yet permanent
• Be a good ambassador for the Church
• Don't hide behind anonymity
• Be aware of public/private life boundaries
• Maintain a professional distance
• Stay within the law
• Respect confidentiality
• Be mindful of your own security
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25848873
http://twitterforchurches.com/blog/2009/06/29/crisis-
communications-for-the-social-media-age/
Don’t overthink. Running through committees,
endless drafts and approval processes to get a
response out there can cause far more damage
than good. As long as you have taken the time
to assess the situation and can take a rational,
respectful tone in your response, even an
awkward response is OK to start with, and
buys you time to continue to respond to the
problem.
Image Source: RGBStock
Your Situation:
•To achieve what?
•With what media?
•Who’s going to do it?
•How often?
•What kind of content?
•What risks need to be
managed?
What is your ONE
takeaway action?
Saint Teresa of Avila (adapted by Meredith
Gould, 2010)
Christ Has No Online Presence but Yours
Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours,
Yours are the tweets through which love touches this
world,
Yours are the posts through which the Gospel is shared,
Yours are the updates through which hope is revealed.
Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours.
http://churchsocmed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/christ-has-no-online-presence-but-yours.html
@drbexl @digitalfprint @digidisciple