Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Social Media In The Church
Christian Web Trends lists "benefits" to using social media in church:
Does that mean social media is bad? No, but it does mean these guys are asking the wrong questions when it comes to social media and church.
I would be really interested in thinking about how to use social media to help disciple people. Imagine a social media platform that would enable a geographically disjointed group of people to function as a small group. Imagine one for prayer support. I could go on here.
But this, this is pure marketing gibberish.
church discipleship marketing social media
Branding. Sharing by you and your connections gets your organization in front of people and gives it personality.
Networking/subscribers. Once you connect with someone, it gives you the opportunity to interact with them and provide more news and information on a regular basis. May eventually lead to future sales/support/action.
Collaboration. Social media connections can lead to partnerships and new ventures.
Social proof. Likes/comments/shares imply content has quality and the author has authority.
Search rankings. Shares and likes improve search rankings.
Sales. Social media can lead to direct sales.
Learning. Connect with wise people who can help you get better.
Content. Connect with people who produce great content you can share with your connections and elaborate on.
Customer service. Opportunities to help and listen to customers.
Customer loyalty. Ongoing communication strengthens the relationship and keeps customers coming back.
Serving others. You can help others by encouraging, answering questions, providing advice, meeting needs.
Leading change. Social media can enable a person to build or join a tribe of people who share a passion. Together they can brainstorm, plan, coordinate and act to accomplish more than they could individually.
Personal Bonus: The 12 benefits above all apply to organizations using social media. One additional set of benefits I want to mention stand out because they’re personal (and because nobody wants a list with 13 items on it). Those benefits include friendships, encouragement, fun and laughs that come through social media.I find that almost nauseating. That is all about marketing and nothing about discipleship. What in that entire list makes us into God's people?
Does that mean social media is bad? No, but it does mean these guys are asking the wrong questions when it comes to social media and church.
I would be really interested in thinking about how to use social media to help disciple people. Imagine a social media platform that would enable a geographically disjointed group of people to function as a small group. Imagine one for prayer support. I could go on here.
But this, this is pure marketing gibberish.
church discipleship marketing social media
