social media presentation to the rethinking leading retreat

How to use Social Media in ministry?

Practical applications for Rethinking Leading

By John Roland, MDiv Social Media Strategist

Twitter: @jaroland74 Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/johnaroland

John Roland, @jaroland74

How does Social Media relate to ministry?

• Social media is ALL about the

SOCIAL in the Social Media.

• Media will change, SOCIAL will not. It is ALL about people. It is a tool to CONNECT to people.

• Sound familiar? • Are you good at Pastoral Ministry? Social media

is for you!


Social Media Benefits . . .Four main benefits: • communication• collaboration • community • collective intelligence

opportunities


• Social Media (SM) and the Donut Factor---We can define social media in terms of donuts, but think of SM more like an appetizer or dessert in your marketing mix. It’s certainly NOT the main entrée and won’t fill you up … yet.


“We don’t need social media.” • You may be ignoring social media, but it’s not

ignoring you.• Ignore Social Media at Your Own Risk. • Churches, Ministries, and the entire community are

active in social media. • They engage in peer discussion. • If you don’t engage with them, the conversation

continues.• But, it goes on without you.


65% of all adults are on social media

Why Social Media? Think Dale Carnegie

• 1. AROUSE IN THE OTHER PERSON AN EAGER WANT (establish a problem solver brand)

• 2. BECOME GENUINELY INTERESTED IN OTHER PEOPLE.

• 3. GIVE HONEST, SINCERE APPRECIATION• 4. BE A GOOD LISTENER. ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO

TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES• 5. TALK IN TERMS OF THE OTHER PERSON’S

INTERESTS• 6. REMEMBER THAT A PERSON’S NAME IS TO THAT

PERSON THE SWEETEST AND MOST IMPORTANT SOUND IN ANY LANGUAGE

• 7. SMILE (present yourself in a pleasant, happy way)https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/significantly-improve-your-online-marketing-applying-seven-graham?trk=object-title


Social media is a super tool!

Top 4 Ways Millennials are integrating technology & faith by Barna

https://www.barna.org/barna-update/millennials/640-how-technology-is-changing-millennial-faith#.VQ4rKY7F9yy


Watch Out, Pastors: Millennials Are Fact-Checking Your Sermons

http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/08/05/72-of-online-adults-are-social-networking-site-users/


What do you want to POST?•P: People (Who do you want to reach?) •O: Objective (What do you want them to do?) •S: Strategy (How to do it?) •T: Technology (Implementing Technology)


Pick 5 Social Media channels and stick with them.

Comments on Google Hangouts• FREE—just need a webcam and a gmail

account.• Dr. Ricketson has produced a number of

Follower First Google Hangouts.• Focus on authenticity rather than flashy

videography. • 10 people are allowed on camera at a time.• Q&A via Twitter or Google+• Posts on YouTube channel automatically.


• Create a living resume (professional picture a must) with active recommendations, connections, and links.

• Actively request recommendations from people who have seen your work. Link them to your profile.

• LinkedIn is a massive networking opportunity for professionals and contributing to the group discussions will present you as a thought leader in your industry.

• You should target the right groups and start conversations related to your areas of expertise.


• Tremendous opportunity to encourage your church members in their profession.

• Endorse people, recommend them in their areas of excellence.

• Wonderful tool to connect and support people where they are.

Tools to manage Social Media• Hootsuite.com• Buffer.com • Both FREE sites allow you to

schedule your posts and bring some balance to your social media activities!

How your church members use social media? Brand Ambassadors

How can pastors use social media?

• Thank people by name using their Twitter account handle. Make heroes out of them.

• Encourage by endorsing and recommending pastors and volunteers on LinkedIn.

• Include as many pictures & videos (with permission) of people and volunteers in your posts as possible.

• Create authentic online connections (Google Hangouts) to thought leaders for GBC pastors.


Highlight hidden servants


Future of Social Media?


Rethinking Leading Twitter@RethinkLeading


Rethinking Leading Facebook


Rethinking Leading Blogwww.rethinkingleading.com


Rethinking Leading Instagram

Future of Social Media?• Everything is going to mobile

devices.• Videos are the new audio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRiwUCXPo8U&list=PLEkF__EZwFZKYfGAqPtFWa_oz2geAfucE&index=9


Future of Social Media in ministry?

• Live streaming video of services. • Interactive sermons (live tweets, texting).• People taking selfies of them living out

the theme of the message. • Continuous dialogue with ministry leaders

is expected. No more gatekeepers. • More video conferencing for conventions.


Do not be afraid! • Social media is ALL about the

SOCIAL in the Social Media.

• Media will change, SOCIAL will not. It is ALL about people. It is a tool to CONNECT to people.

• Sound familiar? • Are you good at Pastoral Ministry? Social media

is for you!