Posts Tagged ‘UrbanChurch Marketing Challenge’
How important is social media in Church Growth?
Today I present a post by guest blogger Mike Holmes. This will be the start of a wonderful relationship between our two blogs, and hopefully Mike will be a continuing guest blogger on our site. Mike the author of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness. He’s also a blogger that writes on leadership development from a Biblical perspective. Please Enjoy.
The web is still buzzing about Pope Benedict’s message to his priests: go forth into the world and blog the Gospel! In his message he acknowledged that cultural shifts have brought conversations online…but…the church must be willing to change its methods to better communicate the Message. He wrote:
“Using new communication technologies, priests can introduce people to the life of the Church and help our contemporaries to discover the face of Christ.”
And it’s no wonder! With his own iPhone App, Facebook page, YouTube channel, his growing influence on the web, and his nickname (via Mashable)–the “social media pontiff” could he tell them any different?
Social media and its social effect
It’s no secret that social media is growing at a mind-bogglingly high level–with Facebook and Twitter leading the pack! And we can’t deny it has an inescapable presence in our lives.
Case in point, the Haiti Crisis:
- It wasn’t the news media that first picked up the effects… it was through Twitter.
- A video of the quake was broadcasted on YouTube
- Wyclef Jean galvanized support through Twitter
- Red Cross raised millions through a text messaging campaign and through their Twitter page…in a matter of moments!
- CNN, in the earliest stages, was the news organization with the most material on the quake, and they enriched their work with social media.
It’s changed the way we do business as 94% of companies sponsoring online communities plan to increase their social networking support as well as engage with other social media tools.
Oh!! And let’s not forget my man “Pants on the Ground” becoming an internet sensation…and being adopted as the Minnesota Viking’s official mascot!!
But what about ministry?
Social Media and the Church
USA Today wrote an article today about the changing ministry model. The article summed it up best in saying, “the congregational model is suffering.”Add to the fact that according to a study of U.S. congregations — only 19% say they are in excellent financial health, down from 31% in 2000. Less than half (48%) could report at least 2% growth in worship attendance, down from 58% in 2005. Because of this many churches have closed down or “merged” with more prosperous ministries.
Also Barna group estimates that in 2010 10% of Americans will rely exclusively on the internet.
The landscape has truly changed!
It seems going forward we’re only left with two options:
- Embrace social media as a tool that can be used in spreading the Gospel, meeting the needs of people, and overall Kingdom work
- Or, reject these changes, and continue to go forward.
The choice is yours…
The end of the matter
I must admit…I could care less about church growth!
Huh!
Leading people to a building means nothing to me!
However, leading people to a relationship, or a greater relationship with Christ is everything! And if social media gives me the tools to do that, affect my community, and inspire spiritual maturity in God’s people…then I’m all for it!
What are your thoughts?
Guest Blogger Mike Holmes
Bio: Mike Holmes is the author of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness. He’s also a blogger that writes on leadership development from a Biblical perspective. It’s leadership by the Book! When he’s not writing blogs or speaking he can be found writing bios in the third person. Check out his website/blog here.
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Breaking New Development – Facebook add @Mentions to Status
Friends – if true this could be a major development in how we connect on the internet. We are seeing a closer integration or standardization of the internet conversation. You will now have the ability to actually name people in your status – in other words tag people in the update. Not sure where this is going but I think in the end it will be good for end users. Read this breaking news here – http://mashable.com/2009/09/10/facebook-mentions/
5 Steps to Church Marketing
picture courtesy of www.level3logic.com
Recently I have received several requests on the Urban Church Marketing Facebook Page, on the subject of marketing, especially as it relates to church plants. My response has been specific – be sure to know your demographic. I do not believe every ministry is created for everybody. God has a specific message and culture for your ministry that will draw certain people to you.Stay true to your God Given Vision.
In reading, I came across this blog by Greg Roglinger, that I believe sums up the first Five Stapes in the marketing or advertising cycle. Please take a minute to read his wonderful article. I am sure it will assist you greatly in your endeavors.
It is About Communicating
My mother always told me to put my money where my mouth is. The same can be true when we look at our priorities in the Urban Church. A good focal point for me has always been where do I spend my time but more important where do I spend my money? These questions will tell you my priorities.
Food for Thought
When I was younger, I would watch people in the local church give one or two dollars in the offering. When I was a little older and began ministering in music, I did the same. Now the real sin in this was that I would immediately, after church, spend $30.00 on Chinese food. You see my stomach was my god, and I would cheat God so that I could fulfill my desires. Why is this important, you may ask? Well I will tell you.
As Urban Church Ministers we have to look at how we staff our churches, if we are to be effective in this new era. I have seen churches hire ministers of music, secretaries, and even custodial staff at great expense. All is needed and important- but where is the communication staff? Where are the people that assist in getting your message across and out of the four walls of the church?
What is the Purpose of Church?
The purpose of the church is to present Jesus — Move people to relationship with Christ — and Make Disciples. All of which require good communications skills. That being the case, why do we in the Urban Church not realize the importance of communication? Most churches don’t have a communication department, and if they do, it is one secretary whose main job is to send out notices to other churches.
This cannot continue if we are to really win souls for Christ. Like my story above — although I professed one thing — my actions, and where I spent my money said something entirely different. I write this post to open a channel of dialogue that forces us to examine our priorities and where we allocate our resources. Let’s face it, the church has expanded way past the walls of the physical plant. How is your church handling communications?
ChurchBrand Architect
Your Urban Church Marketing Specialist
If you are tired of lackluster church communications, join us for the Urban Marketing Challenge. www.urbanchurchmarketingchallenge.com