Tag Archive - Ministry

Facebook Makes Your Brain Bigger ? – Church | Social Media

March 5, 2012 in Facebook, Social Media - General with 0 Comments

Brain

Recently a study revealed that people on Facebook have more brain matter.

Researchers said:
Scientists have found a direct link between the number of “friends” a person has on Facebook and the size of certain brain regions, raising the possibility that using online social networks might change our brains.
The four brain areas involved are known to play a role in memory, emotional responses and social interactions.

So, if you needed a reason to spend a little time on Facebook there you have it!
Assuming all of us have unchurched friends on Facebook here are some Spiritual things you can do on Facebook to help grow your brain!

1. Create a Prayer List of lost / unchurched people
Why not create a private list on Facebook and put people in it who do not go to church or who are not believers and spend time everyday reviewing their status updates and praying for their salvation. You might be able to pray specifically for a life situation someone is going through that God would use it to bring them to (or back to) Christ.

2. Create a Prayer list of Ministry needs
When you spend time on Facebook why not keep a journal with you and jot down prayer requests when you see people going through difficult times. It is surprising how much people share on Facebook – even detailed health information. Send them a private message and let them know you prayed for them that day.

3. Invite people to church
Instead of putting out a status update that says, “I go to XYZ church and would love for you to visit with me”, why not send a private and personalized invitation.
Send them a message like this: “Bob, I noticed from your Facebook status that things have been kind of rocky in your marriage and family life recently. I do not mean to be nosy but thought I would let you know how my relationship with God has improved my family life. Before I was a believer and started going to church my marriage wasn’t so great…. (expound and end with) My church is offering a marriage workshop and I would love for you and your wife to go with my wife and I.”
You get the idea.

If you spend time on Facebook praying and inviting people to church there is a good chance you will make an eternal impact in someone’s life and get a bigger brain in the process!

The Church cannot afford to Drop the Ball on this! – Church | Social Media

October 12, 2011 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

dropping the ball

I was recently reading an article from Margaret Feinberg about the church and social media. When asked about the biggest mistake churches make with Social Media she responded:

I think the biggest stumbling block is simply buying into the myth that engaging in social media is somehow optional for the church today. It’s a requirement. I have friends who I can call repeatedly without response, but when I message them on Facebook I receive a response in less than three minutes. The way people engage in conversations, commit to attend a gathering, and share their lives is changing — and the church must be at the forefront.

The Church must be at the forefront!

The church cannot afford to drop the ball on Social Media. Too many lives, souls, depend on it.

Think about all you can do in the arena of Social Media:

  • engage believers and members
  • engage unbelievers in the community
  • get your message out via video
  • get your message out via print
  • discover ministry needs
  • Share the gospel
  • encourage the saints
  • organize small groups for effective communication
  • communicate with over 80% of your church body instantly
  • ask questions
  • get opinions

…and that list is so much longer! Any church would have paid such a high price to be able to do that 10, 20, or 30 years ago – and today it costs nearly nothing!! You would have hired a staff member to do what you can do through social media today!

Pastor – church, you can’t afford to drop the ball on this!

Lives depend on it.

Souls depend on it.

 

To find out how Acts18Media can help you accomplish all these goals and more for less than 1/120th the price of a staff member check these out:

Social Media Outreach and Ministry Lite

Social Media Outreach and Ministry Full

4 Ways your Church can use Twitter – Church | Social Media

September 26, 2011 in Twitter with 0 Comments

Twitter Church Social Media

Twitter is slowly starting to catch on. With 100 million active users people are beginning to force their way through the learning curve and use it consistently as a communication tool.

But, where does that leave churches? If a church has a Twitter account how should it be used to communicate with those inside and outside the church? Is it a tool the church can use? YES!!

Here are 4 easy ways to get your church started with Twitter (and there are many more):

1. Hashtag your Sermon

That’s right – break your sermon down into small chunks and tweet it out throughout Sunday with your church’s Twitter handle. It will not only get important parts of your sermon out to those who didn’t hear it, but it will serve as a reminder to those who did! Be sure and leave enough spaces so that people can re-tweet it as well. Take about 6 key statements from your #AMsermon and share them all day on Sunday.

2. Make Announcements

Use Twitter to make timely church announcements just like you would on Facebook. Be sure and include links where applicable and urge your members to re-tweet to their lists.

3. Engage the Community

Use Twitter to engage your community. The great thing about Twitter is that it allows your church to connect with people you might not otherwise have a connection with. Follow and engage as many people as possible. Keep a look out on your timeline for ministry opportunities and ways you can connect.

4. Brag

Yep, brag. Brag on church members and the work they do for the church. Brag on the church missions project, community service, etc. Find ways to appreciate people on Twitter and you will be shocked at how much more engaging your church’s Twitter list becomes.

Twitter can be used effectively from a church account. Sign your church up today and get started.

 

I would love to hear your comments below. Use Facebook or leave a standard comment.

“Like” this post so you can help churches reach more people!

 

Facebook can help Your Church do Ministry

July 14, 2011 in Facebook with 0 Comments

church. social media. ministry. facebook

Facebook has the capacity to help a church staff, a pastor, a SS teacher, a youth leader, etc do ministry.

How?

Simple. Facebook is a community where people share things about themselves. We live in  a day where people will often post needs on Facebook before they call anyone else. They will announce the emergency, accident, doctor news, hospital stay, marriage problem on their Facebook status before they call the church  - if they ever call the church!

It puts pressure on the church to keep up with what’s going on.

Here are 3 ways to do ministry on Facebook:

1. Scan Members

If you put all of your members in a list (and you should) spend 15 minutes a day looking at their status updates. You might discover something you didn’t know. It doesn’t take long – even if you have hundreds. Don’t get caught up reading every status and looking at every picture – just scan and make notes.

2. Scan Unchurched

Keep the unchurched people you are friends with in a list and give them a quick look. You might find an outreach opportunity. It may be a visit you could make – a phone call – or simply a wall post.

3. Search keywords

As a back up feature go to the search bar and search keywords like: pray, prayer, hospital, accident, marriage, etc. You might find something you missed and have the opportunity to do ministry.

Facebook is an awesome tool we have been given to help us do the work of ministry. Don’t miss the opportunity.

Pastor: Have you found some other ways to do ministry through Facebook? Share below…
Church Member: Have you experienced Facebook ministry from a church or would you be open to it? Leave your story below….
“Like” this blog post to share the love….

Social Media and Baby Boomers

May 27, 2011 in Social Media - General with 0 Comments

Old Telephone. Social Media. Church. Baby boomers

There are approximately 80 million Baby Boomers (age 46-64) in the United States alone. It is a fast growing segment of the population. And….there’s more.

Consider this:

  • Baby Boomers are the largest generation
  • Baby Boomers sit at the top of most corporations
  • 70%k of Law Firm partners are Baby Boomers
  • Baby Boomers have more wealth than any other generation

So what does that have to do with the Church and Social Media?

Now consider this:

Half (47%) of internet users ages 50-64 and one in four (26%) users age 65 and older now use social networking sites.

Half of online adults ages 50-64 and one in four wired seniors now count themselves among the Facebooking and LinkedIn masses. That’s up from just 25% of online adults ages 50-64 and 13% of those ages 65 and older who reported social networking use one year ago in a survey conducted in April 2009.

Social Media is not just for the young!

If you want your church to reach out to the Boomers – use Social Media! Use Facebook! Use Twitter!

In your church, how many Boomers are on Social Media?

Leave comments below….

Dominos. Social Media. Church.

May 20, 2011 in Social Media - General with 0 Comments

Dominos. Social Media. Church.

Most every church I know could learn something from Domino’s Pizza. Listen as Ramon shares how he uses Social Media to create buzz about his product and stores.

While you listen, think of ideas of how your church or ministry could use Social Media to create buzz about your church and the gospel.

Post your ideas below.

sme_bw2010_ramon_deleon_v2 from Michael A. Stelzner on Vimeo.

Leave it Blank

March 31, 2011 in Social Media - General with 0 Comments

Blank Box

 

 

Social Media is a great tool to connect with others. The ability to instantly speak to hundreds, and even thousands, of people is amazing.

But, it does bring with it a warning.

Sometimes you don’t need to say it.

Sometimes you don’t need to say it.

If you’ve been on Social Media long enough you’ve seen the meltdowns, rants, and complaints

  • The wife letting her husband (who is not on Facebook) “have it”
  • The employee telling his boss off
  • The teenager griping about their parents
  • The young adult chronicling their emotional breakdown – hour by hour
  • The middle school kid talking about another middle school kid

All Social Media does is reveal who you really are – so be careful!

Social Media outlets are not the place to:

  • Say something negative about your spouse
  • Unload on the deacons
  • Tell the church how bad they are
  • Vaguely (and poorly) leave a “message” to the member who will “know who they are”

You may be tempted – but don’t do it – You will regret it!! Avoid the temptation to put anything negative out – it is not worth it and it could probably be classified as “unchristian”.
Set your phone/computer/device down and walk away.

Sometimes, the best you can do is just leave your status blank.

Tweet This!

March 28, 2011 in Twitter with 0 Comments

twitter-bird

 

Twitter is not something just for the techies or the kids anymore. Maybe when it got started it was too complicated to figure out – not anymore. Maybe you think it is just for celebrities – no way.  Consider these statistics:

  • In the past year alone, the average number of tweets per day has nearly tripled from 50 million to 140 million.
  • Tweets generally spike during a significant cultural event, and recent figures have been staggering. On March 11, the day of the Japan earthquake and tsunami, Twitter users exceeded the average daily tweets by 37 million–that’s 177 million tweets in a single day.
  • Also surging is Twitter’s membership. 572,000 new accounts were created on March 12. For the past month, the average daily sign-up rate has been 460,000 new accounts, and Twitter has also marked a 182% increase in the number of users tweeting from mobile devices in the past year.

You don’t have to be on Twitter to do ministry but it sure can help. If you want to join the growing list of people on Twitter here are 3 things that encourage you to be a part of the community.

1. Use Twitter to mentor yourself – Sign up to Twitter and follow people who speak into your life. Listen to what they say; read their blogs; check their links. You’ll be surprised how much spiritual insight you can gain via Twitter.

Let others be blessed when God speaks into your life.

2. Connect with others – The great thing about Twitter is that you can connect, in some way, to anyone else who is on Twitter. It’s not like Facebook where someone has to accept your friend request. You can basically follow anyone you want. You can reply to their posts. You can re-tweet their Tweets. You can be part of their world all through Twitter. I personally have some amazing stories of people I have connected with via Twitter that I never would have otherwise.

3. Share your thoughts – Ever have a “God thought” that you wanted to share with someone immediately? It might turn into a sermon one day – it might not. Worst of all -you might forget it! How about Tweeting it? Let others be blessed when God speaks into your life.

Those are just a few ways Twitter can help your ministry. Sign up today and get started!

4 Ways for the Pastor to get on the Digital train

March 21, 2011 in Social Media - General with 0 Comments

speeding train

Pastors can be slow adopters to change. We love to tell our congregations they need to change, but we don’t like it! There are a lot of guys who are behind when it comes to Social Media, technology and ministry. If that’s you, here are 4 quick tips to get you started on the right track:

1. Jump in Somewhere

You may be facing decision paralysis. Which Social Media platform do I start with? Facebook? Twitter? Linkedin? YouTube? My suggestion would be Facebook but that’s up to you. I remember when I bought my first laptop computer years ago. I kept going by the store and talking to the salesman. I told him I was afraid to buy because as soon as I did something new would come out. He said, “It will. But you have to get started somewhere!” I bought that day.

2. Watch Others

Whatever platform you chose start watching people you want to emulate and how they enteract on the platform. I used to do this when I was a young preacher. I would listen to someone else preach and pick out some things he did well that I wanted to incorporate into my ministry and notice things he didn’t do well and make a mental note not to copy that aspect. You can do the same in the digital world. Learn from those who have been doing it a while and who are good at it.

We love to tell our congregations they need to change, but we don’t like it!

3. Google It

There is so much free advice out there if you get hung up on how to do something then use google. You’ll be surprised at the answers you can find when you learn to phrase a question correctly to find an answer.

4. Ask Me

I’d be glad to help. You can Twitter or Facebook message me or email me. All of those buttons are on my home page at the top of my blog.

I look forward to hearing from you when you jump on the Digital Express!

Is your Church a “Place”?

March 11, 2011 in Facebook, Social Media - General with 0 Comments

facebook places

A while back Facebook mobile introduced a new feature called “places”. It was an apparent attempt to compete directly with social media competitor foursquare.

Facebook places is a simple concept – it uses the GPS locater on your mobile device to figure out where you are. When you open your Facebook mobile app you will see the logo and the word “Places”. When you open it you will see your recent check-ins as well as your friends’ check-ins. At the top right there will be a check in button – tap that and you can check in, post a status with it, and tag friends who are with you.

You want your people to “check in” to Facebook on Sundays – it is a witnessing tool!

If where you are is not showing up, you can search for places or you can CREATE a place. Here is the ministry point – does your church show up on “places”? It needs to. If it doesn’t create it NOW.

Here’s why: You want your people to “check in” to Facebook on Sundays – it is a witnessing tool!

When people check in it shows up on their profile and in the news feed. That means as people check in to your church they are announcing to all their Facebook friends that they are at church – YOUR church!!

So, this Sunday why not run an encouragement for members to check-in at church? You may attract guests and visitors just because of the number of friends they see that attend.

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