Creating an Online Bridge Between Church and Community
Church happens on Sunday, right? Sunday is only one seventh of the church week. But old habits are hard to break. Even the deepest theological thinkers tend to concentrate on Sunday church activities.
If your message goes out to only Sunday morning Christians,
you have a very narrow audience.
Social Media hands church leaders all the tools needed to extend the church week.
In the past, communicating with people who are not in church on Sunday was a challenge.
- Newsletters are cumbersome to put together and circulate. They are expensive, too.
- Phone chains serve a purpose for critical news of death or serious misfortune requiring community prayer.
- Knocking on doors — it’s just not done anymore!
- Advertising is expensive and requires planning ahead.
Out of sight Monday through Saturday tends to be out of mind. This has influenced our expectations of ministry.
Social Media changes this. You can and should be communicating daily with church members in a conversation anyone can join.
There are many Social Media tools to consider. Let’s concentrate on three —Facebook, Blogging and Google+.
Your members are likely to be spending more than an hour every day checking their Facebook accounts. Statistics show most people spend 20 minutes at a time on Facebook, but they check their account several times a day. The Facebook demographics are growing in every age category. Even the elderly are finding they can connect with distant children and grandchildren.
Develop a strategy that will be welcome to followers, not intrusive.
Churches can share their Sunday morning world in many ways. They can:
- Post pictures
- Post video
- Highlight sermon summaries
- Tell about activities
- Pose thought-provoking questions
- Excerpt a Bible study
- Feature a meaningful quote
- Post a teaser question from an upcoming sermon
- Ask for help on a project
- Promote an upcoming event
Remember to engage, engage, engage.
Blogs
Blogs are effective, too. Used properly, they will attract an audience of people you do not see on Sunday morning. They are not limited in length and can have a longer “shelf life.”
Blogs are most effective when they address topics of broad interest — not just parish news. Your focus must be outward. If you limit your topics to current church activities, you will burn out. Results will be poor.
We recommend using both a blog and Facebook.
Google+
This is the new kid on the Social Media block and it is up against a well-established giant (Facebook). Nevertheless, it is gaining ground and has definite potential advantages.
- Google “owns” the search engine world! Activity on their Social Media platform will help you find traffic.
- Google also owns YouTube, which is growing incredibly fast.
- Google has pledged to keep their Social Media platform advertising free. (Facebook is all about advertising).
Google+ is beginning to gain acceptance.