Reaching Individuals in a Social Media Age: A Resource for the Catholic Church

REACHING INDIVIDUALS in a Social Media Age A RESOURCE FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH based on theory by Barry Vacker presentation by Angela Santana

As Church, we have the same problem today as the disciples did nearly 2000 years ago: How do we reach people with our Message?

Today, however, the problem has become more refined. Social media are permeating society:

940 MILLION 60% OF TIME individuals worldwide using a mobile phone use social networking is spent on social websites† networking* † According to a study by InSites, March 22, 2010 *U.S. mobile subscribers. According to a study by Ground Truth, week ending April 4, 2010

IN THIS “SOCIAL MEDIA AGE,” how can we reach more individuals for the Catholic Church?

TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION, we need to focus on how social media have affected individuals CULTURALLY.

In his work, GLOBAL VILLAGE OR WORLD BAZAAR? communications theorist Barry Vacker suggests...

INFORMATION REVOLUTIONS, like the widespread use of the Internet, lead to...

CULTURAL REVOLUTIONS at the levels of individual, group, and nation-state.

IN OTHER WORDS: Living in a social media age has affected individuals.

INDIVIDUALS TODAY send and receive an unprecedented amount of information, via

text / images / video / audio

INDIVIDUALS TODAY use these media to interact with an unprecedented amount of people, from many different backgrounds:

religious / cultural / economic / educational / psychological / emotional

THAT MEANS people are constantly interacting with others who are similar to or different from them, gathering new, countless perspectives on...

religion / God / forgiveness Jesus / ethics / sin / Catholicism abortion / euthanasia / contraception Vatican / capital punishment / love / war Virgin Mary / marriage / family / femininity in vitro fertilization / justice / masculinity hell / heaven / purgatory / Bible / baptism/ faith Eucharist / apostolic succession / saints / demons occult / prayer / resurrection / etc.

WITH SO MANY PERSPECTIVES, people are forced to decide for themselves:

WHAT’S RIGHT what’s wrong WHAT’S TRUE what’s false

BUT THESE DECISIONS ARE HAPPENING IN THE CONTEXT OF CONVERSATIONS

BUT THESE DECISIONS ARE HAPPENING IN THE CONTEXT OF CONVERSATIONS via text / images / video / audio

In order to reach individuals, the Church must have representatives engaging in conversations.

AND since today’s individuals are not only listeners but also voices,

Church representatives need to take time to LISTEN.

Listening is imperative.

Don’t publish a video or start a blog or create a Facebook page if you aren’t willing to listen.

More people with more opinions means MORE DEBATE.

The Church must realistically anticipate debate rather than avoid it.

Anticipate debate. Listen, and respond.

Post thoughtful video responses, frequently asked questions, or a blog response BUT BEAR IN MIND:

Response is part of conversation, not the end of the conversation.

SO, WHEN USING NEW MEDIA TO REACH INDIVIDUALS FOR THE CHURCH, remember:

There are a lot of conversations out there.

via DIGG The Church YOUTUBE has to engage TWITTER FACEBOOK etc

anticipate debate

listen

respond

and never stop conversing

or valuing each individual

as a decision-maker

who is inundated with ideas

and searching for Truth.

http://catholicmediajournal.com	217
http://www.cc.ductapeguy.net	14
http://www.slideshare.net	6
http://patriceegging.com	1
http://translate.googleusercontent.com	1

Reaching Individuals in a Social Media Age: A Resource for the Catholic Church

by Angela Santana on Apr 24, 2010

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Reaching Individuals in a Social Media Age: A Resource for the Catholic Church Presentation Transcript