Archive for social media

Sharing the Gospel on Social Media

Social Media Statistics

Here are thoughts on how to approach being a witness in your social media footprints.

Connect on a personal level with striving to having a deeper conversation. Remember to “encourage publically” and to “challenge privately”

Believing the Bible (Biblical Word View) is not held by so many people. Start with your experiences in spiritual matters- then lead to the source of your convictions (Bible) as you are valued for your thoughts by the one you are seeking to influence. Your validation with your life gives credibility to the Bible.

Remember, your placement on an individual’s site/profile will convey you are in agreement to their position, practices and/or belief. “Silence Equals Consent/ Agreement,” avoid being silent-speak out in a redemptive fashion.

Develop a strategy with intentionality in your social media posts.

Reacting to posts requires maturity and prayerful thought. Remember to:

  • Respond after prayer
  • Respond/React after time
  • Quote people who you respect or reference materials that support your thoughts
  • Think of yourself as a coach – striving to help someone succeed in life and find real joy

Roger Orman is the Team Leader for the Discipleship Development Center and Sunday School Specialist for Mississippi Baptists.

 

 

Using Social Media to Reach and Minister to People with your Group

socmedWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Many are familiar with the idea of making contacts through cards, letters, phone calls, and visits for their Sunday School or Small Group.  We understand the value of a personal touch with face-to-face conversation, but we must not neglect the social media world that exists as well.

Making contact or connecting with those we have on our list is essential. Ask questions. Communicate events and information. Enrich relationships. Despite the proliferation of social media, many groups are still not using these tools connect with those on their ministry list and to others as well.

WHAT DO I DO? Here are a few things to consider when using social media with a group.

  • Understand what types of social media are used by your group so you can be the most effective.
  • Communicate weekly with social media.
  • Use social media to continue the teaching of the previous group experience or to prepare for teaching for the upcoming meeting of your group. This helps with application.
  • Use social media to promote group socials and update prayer requests and ministry needs.
  • If using Facebook, create a group for your group. Here is a video on how this is done and how it can benefit your group for both ministry to the members and reaching new people as well. https://vimeo.com/133695454

Stay in touch with your group. Use social media to complement your personal touch contacts. Doing so will enrich your communication and your care.

Communication Tools to Use with Your Class

communication-toolsWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Communication leads to community, an important goal for groups.  As the leader, ensure your participants hear from you regularly so they feel connected to the group.  This will also help group members keep up with group life when unable to attend, and it also allows you to communicate opportunities of connection beyond the group time.

WHAT DO I DO? Today there are many communication options…

  • Handwritten notes:  While some think that this option has gone the way of the dinosaur, many really appreciate the time, effort and sentiment that a note brings.  Invest in note cards and stamps. Send out a card or two to group members every week. It really makes an impression.
  • Telephone calls:  This method allows for a two way conversation that is personal. Calls communicate that you want to hear what is happening in your student’s life.  Carve out time to make 1 or 2 calls a week, and watch your relationships with students become stronger.
  • Texting:  Find ways to text very short but meaningful texts to your class members to let them know that you are praying for them and to remind them of brief, but important information.
  • Social Media:  This tool could be utilized to facilitate total class interaction.  You might use this option for digging deeper into a question from your group time or to share other information relevant to your topic.  You can also share information that people might have missed.

There are other ways to communicate, but the key will be practicing them. Find what works best for your group. Mix them up and avoid getting stuck in a rut.

3 Ways to Use Social Media to Build Relationships

fbconnectWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? One word: Relationships. Every group leader should consider utilizing today’s media to connect with group members. And every group should consider which forms of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. will work best.

WHAT DO I DO? Here are three ways to use social media to increase connections:

  1. View, create and share information. Groups of all sizes are utilizing facebook, twitter, and other forms of social media to communicate.  They communicate upcoming activities, prayer requests, and concerns.  Every group member is a person who needs a place to belong and be loved just for who they are.
  2. Share interests and passions. God has made each member unique.  One of the great things about social media is hearing the passion of group members.  Group are most effective in reaching beyond their classroom wall, when they mobilize around group members’ passions and interests.  Every group member is a missionary with gifts, talents, and passions.
  3. Continue the lesson after the group meeting. Reinforce the central point or life lesson that was taught by sending out a tweet, an email, a link, or a challenge during the week.  Seek input from group members on how they are taking the truth of God’s word and applying it in their everyday life.  Every group member is either exploring Christ or on a life-long journey of discipleship to become like Christ.

Social media is one way to build a more connected group and a foundation to build stronger relationships and groups.

Is Social Media Useful for Reaching People in Your Group?

facebookWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? We all want connection.  People inside and outside your group use Social Media every day, trying to find connection with one another.  That is why it is a multibillion dollar industry.  We all want to connect people together and to information we find important.

In fact, you are probably reading this blog article because some form of social media directed you here.  You were sent an email, saw a tweet, or read a post and you clicked it hoping to find a potential solution to a challenge you are experiencing in your group ministry leadership right now.

WHAT DO I DO? Social Media is just what it says it is. Media is information or data. It is anything we speak, hear, do, see, share, or experience that passes along information.  Social is simply the way that media travels, relationally from person to person.  Isn’t that what we are about in our groups ministries: Connecting Socially to share the most important Media known to man, the gospel of Jesus Christ, with those who need to hear it?

Here are a few ways you can use Social Media to reach people in your group:

  • Start closed Facebook groups for all the classes and groups in your church.
  • Use your posting and sharing as a source of encouragement by avoiding negativity on your feed.
  • Share articles and blogs that encourage your group members to think through topics discussed in your group.
  • Be open to ideas that may seem contradictory to your way of thinking, and be prepared to civilly discuss these concerns with compassion and reverence (1 Peter 3:15)
  • Use your social pages and groups to promote community events where group members can connect beyond the group time.
  • Practice typing your Christian testimony in 140 characters or less.

For more information on this topic with additional links to resources, visit:
http://www.smallgroups.com/articles/2015/4-ways-you-can-use-social-media-for-good.html