This document discusses using social media in ministry. It outlines 5 ways to use social media: Google Hangouts & Skype for meetings and connecting with others; using websites like Weebly to provide online resources; QR codes to link people to websites; text messaging for quick communication; and Twitter, Instagram and hashtags to share updates and build online communities. Each section provides examples of how that tool can be used and what is required. It also discusses being careful with posting personal information online and setting boundaries for social media use.

1. Social Media in Ministry 2.0
Effectively using social media as
a helpful tool in ministry

2. “We don’t have a choice on
whether we do social
media. The choice is how
well we do it.”
~Eric Qualman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxpa4dNVd3c

3. 5 Ways to Use Social Media
in Your Ministry
1. Google Hangouts & Skype
2. Online resourcing
3. Quick-Response (QR) Codes
4. Text Messaging
5. Twitter, Instagram, & Hashtags
(Oh my!)

4. Google Hangouts & Skype
Perfect for:
Bible studies
Connecting with college students
Connecting with youth groups
Meetings
Conversations with missionaries
…….

6. Google Hangouts & Skype
Benefits:
Can be used on multiple devices
Join in from the comforts of wherever
Up to 10 people can join a conversation
What you need:
A web camera
A laptop or smart phone device

7. Resourcing Congregations
Through Weebly
Perfect for providing congregation
members & friends with:
Daily and weekly devotionals
Faith-based activities for kids
Faith-based articles for teens and
adults
Suggestions for church season
activities
……

9. Resourcing Congregations
Through Weebly
Benefits:
Resources the congregation outside of
the building on personal computer and
mobile devices
Provides ways for members and friends
to incorporate spirituality in their lives
throughout the week
What you need:
A computer with internet

10. Quick-Response (QR) Codes
Perfect for linking congregation
members and friends to:
Church websites
Event registrations
Liturgy and church announcements
Websites pertinent to specific
church projects
…

11. Quick-Response (QR) Codes
Benefits:
Provides a quick way to gain access
to information without a long URL
or taking up too much space on
paper
What you need:
Smart phone (for scanning)
Computer and printer

12. Text Messaging
Perfect for:
Contacting people about a small
amount of information, the more
concise the better
Using as an interactive tool in
various settings

13. Text Messaging
Benefits:
 Contacting people quickly with important
information
 Allows the receiver time to receive the message
and respond on an as-needed basis
 Invites introverts to pose thoughts and
questions without speaking to an entire group
What you need:
 A cell phone with text messaging
capabilities (Please make sure to
ask others if it is ok that you text
them. Some would prefer a call.
Others still may be charged for
texting services.)

14. Twitter, Instagram, &
Hashtagging
Perfect for:
Sharing updates and events related
to your churches, youth groups,
ministry teams, etc.
Creating social communities where
church members and friends can
interact with one another
…

15. Twitter
Twitter allows each post to be only 140
characters
Helpful for sharing updates about the
church, upcoming events, inspiration,
etc.
Twitter includes private messaging
Instead of “friending” you “follow,”
which gives an option for following many
different people & organizations
Instead of “sharing” you “retweet”
any informative or meaningful
tweets

16. Instagram
Instagram is a photo-sharing space
Allows a person to post photos for
those who follow them to view
Hashtags allow others to see related
photos
Can be used to incorporate all ages
in worship
Can be used for various youth
activities

17. #Hashtags
 Creates an online community which allows
different people or groups to post photos or
statuses separately but be connect by them
 To properly create a hashtag, the number (or
pound) sign must be placed in front of words
and characters. There cannot be any spaces, as
that breaks up the hashtag
 Examples of hashtags:
#IceBucketChallenge,
#AddAWordRuinATheologian,
#YourChurchNameHere, #WorldCup,
#UCC, #ReadingChangesLives

18. Twitter, Instagram, &
Hashtagging
Benefits:
Creating online social communities
within the church
Connecting with members and friends
outside of Sunday mornings/evenings
Allows others to share information and
insight
What you need:
Computer
Smart phone device

19. Beware
Flooding your church social media pages can
ultimately turn your followers off. Post 3-4 times a
week, and include pictures and videos.
Get permission to post pictures and videos that
have people in them
Add a section to your safe church policy to
include social media boundaries
Don’t video chat with someone else alone.
Consider recording all video chats.
Unplug yourself! Being in ministry during an age
when you can be connected at all times can be
draining. Take technology Sabbaths.

20. Questions??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXiNSeSoBUM