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This presentation is about why every church needs an Online Ministry. By Liturgical Publications
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Social Networking and the Church
Michael A. Stone
Internet Product Manager
Liturgical Publications Inc
About This Presentation
• This presentation isn’t about building a Facebook Fan Page
• This presentation isn’t about whether you should have a social network
• This presentation is about why every church needs an Online Ministry
• This presentation is about increasing mass participation, stewardship and ultimately…survival
What is the oldest and largest Social Network?
Social Networking is not new.
Is one of these the oldest social network?
Social Networking is not new.
Social Networking is not new.
• The oldest is religion.• The largest is Christianity.
What is a Social Network?
• Connects people together• Fosters relationships• Promotes common, shared values
Sounds like the Catholic Church to me
Social Networking is not new, but something new is changing the way we
communicate.
That something is the Internet and related technology.
If You Don’t Believe Me…“The new technologies are not only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself”
“This means of spreading information and knowledge is giving birth to a new way of learning and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship.”
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVIFOR THE 45th WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY
Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age
The Internet is Only a Communication Tool
• The internet is a communication tool just like• Television• Radio• Printed word• Our collective voices
• The internet is neither good nor bad• What’s good or bad is how people use it
The Internet is Changing
• Expectations about communication• How people communicate• Where people communicate• When people communicate
The Next Generation of Parishioners are Growing Up Online
• The Internet has replaced paper and pen
• They text, not talk• E-mail is even old school—
Facebook is current.
The Next Generation of Parishioners are Growing Up Online
• Adapting and embracing this change is the challenge the church is facing.
• The church must adapt to the new communication styles or be left behind.
The Internet is Now Leading the Way
Service Attendance
Expectations about communicationHow people communicate
• The Information Super Highway is now a two-way street
• Its about:– Engagement– Dialog– Active Participation
Expectations about communicationHow people communicate
Today’s local church doesn’t have communication models built for today’s reality.• Information overload, pressure to keep up, global
neighborhoods, mass distrust of big business (and organized religion).
• We moved past the industrial age, through the information age, to the interconnected age.
• Social media is now a significant piece of two-way communication in today’s society.
Expectations about communicationHow people communicate
Ground Rules for Communication:• Not interruption, but permission• Not chaos, but clarity• Not corporate copy, but peer reviews• Not user privacy, but user control• Not inform, but inspire• Not integrate, but elevate
Expectations about communicationWhere people communicate
“Wherever/Whenever On their…”
• On their computer, phone, iPad, tablet, etc.
• Via broadband, Skype, cellular, wi-fi
Expectations about communicationWhen people communicate
“Whenever they want”
• There has been a lot of complaints about the end of the ‘work week’ in this 24X7,always on, world.
• But think of the possibilities if parishioners were always connected to their faith and their church 24X7
A closer look at where people communicate online
Open (“Public”) Social Networking Sites• Marketing & promotion focus• Engagement second• Two-way communication but
typically directed• Open by default, should be
able to shut the doors at least partially
• Search engine accessible
Closed (“Your”) Social Networking Sites• Engagement• True two-way communication• Secured by default, you decide
how far to open the doors• Typically search engine
inaccessible
A closer look at where people communicate online
Open Services• Facebook• Twitter• YouTube• Slideshare.net• Many, many others
– Ning, Eventbrite, Issuu
Closed (“Your”) Services• WeGather• Church Community Builder• CircleBuilder• The City• MyChurch
.
Invite membersto join
(give them the key)
They receive access to your “lobby” and general membership group.
Mom’s Group(anyone can
join)
FestivalPlanning
Group(ask to join)
FinanceGroup
(by invitationOnly)
The Challenge is Engagementnot the technology or even resources
• You have people with the required skills• It does necessarily mean more work.• You can afford the cost• You need to communicate with you parishioners
where they are and how they now expect. This will keep them parishioners!
LPi can help You face the challenge
Marketing & Promotion
Seek And Find
Online directory of churches and the advertisers who support them
WeConnect
Website builder
Pre-built templates to choose from
Easy to use, yet completely expandable
Grows with you
Parishioner EngagementWeGather
Where you church connects online: a secure, closed network
WeShare
Online donations via ACH and Credit card, donation management, pledging, one time or regular donations
Thank You!
Michael A. Stonemstone@4lpi.com
262-207-2519
For more information, please go to www.4lpi.com http://www.4lpi.com
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