Top 5 Churches That Use Social Media Best

[James Nored]

Here is a very helpful article on churches and social media.

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Top 5 Churches That Use Social Media Best

By Alex Murashko , Christian Post Reporter June 7, 2013|8:12 am

Being successful online is not easy, says Biola University's director of innovation, Dave Bourgeois. When it comes to churches, having at least a minimal digital strategy has become crucial in expanding Christian outreach even locally within their own communities.

 

It is for this reason that The Christian Post has come up with its first Top 5 Churches That Use Social Media Best list. With the help of DJ Chuang, founder of the resource ministry, Social Media Church, CP has picked five churches based on their successful use of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms to build relationships with not only their own church members, but with active Internet users within the U.S. and internationally.

 

"Digital technologies are changing and evolving constantly," writes Bourgeois, who is author of the recently released book, Ministry in the Digital Age - Strategies and best practices for a post-website world. "Websites that were once useful and efficient are now outdated (remember MySpace?). Even the logos and colors we use must keep up with the latest styles; what previously looked cutting edge may now convey the message that your ministry doesn't 'get it' anymore."

 

In the introduction of his book, he adds, "If it is true, as Shane Hipps says, that Christianity is fundamentally a communication event, then it is imperative that Christians understand how to use the Internet well."

 

Mars Hill Church, based in Seattle and led by Pastor Mark Driscoll made CP's list. Communications Director Justin Dean said that collectively, Mars Hill's social media channels are gaining about 6,000 new followers per week. "Most of that is gained through people sharing our content with their friends, which puts us in front of new people who then follow us,"

 

Dean told CP. "They say content is king and we focus on creating good, valuable content that people will share." Follow us He adds, "We pay a lot of attention to how people engage and interact with our posts. One example is that we recently started posting more images because we noticed that people will share an image 300 to 400 percent more than a post that is just text."

 

When looking at a church's Internet presence, included in Chuang's analysis are audience engagement, investment of resources, and the amount of social media participation by the church leaders.

 

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The article goes on to give the top 5 churches for social media use:

1. Mars Hill in Seattle, WA
2. LifeChurch.tv in Edmond, OK
3. CrossPoint Church in Nashville, TN
4. Gateway Church in Southlake, TX (right down the was from our church in Grapevine)
5. Community Bible Church in San Antonio, TX

Notice that there are no Churches of Christ on this list. We are woefully behind in this area.

What are some best uses of social media for churches that you have seen or have ideas about?

[Eric Johnson]

The 5 churches listed are Protostant/Evangelical faith alone groups. They are founded by men, not Jesus Christ's first century church. No wonder they are at the top of the popularity contest. The Lords church isn't about being popular or favored in the eyes of the world. It just continues to chug along in truth. That to me and other Saints ought to be good enough. It is to Jesus...

[James Nored]

That is a good article, Darryl. People are more interested in building a relationship with a person than a brand. Thanks for sharing!

[Darryl Willis]

A little different perspective. Since social media is primarily for individuals perhaps there is another way to view effective social media usage. Check out Rich Birch's post "5 Reasons It’s More Important for Pastors to Use Social Media Than Churches":  http://bit.ly/10g5gfH

[James Nored]

Love and Creation (Intro, Part A) in Part 1 of the Story of Redemption from James Nored on Vimeo.

Excellent stuff, Joy! Breaking things into smaller segments is great for today. For instance, I am breaking up my Story of Redemption series into smaller video segments, though people will have an option of watching it all the way through as well. (See video above)

Thanks for sharing!

[Joy Rousseau]

You may have heard of "flipped classrooms" where students watch a lecture, event, experiment, etc. outside of class and then come to class capable of collaborating in deeper learning activities such as educated discussions, projects, and extension activities. We have been experimenting with this model in our Wednesday classes where students will watch a video online and then come to class for discussion. We have used all types of speakers and even hope to make our own videos...but for now....the favorites are when a long (1hour long sermon) has been chopped up into segments for "quick" views. For instance, a Davis Platt, Greg White, or Francis Chan sermons have been segmented on Youtube into 2-5 minute videos. Now the class has grown into watching longer videos (56 minutes) and being ready to discuss them in small groups during our class time and then sharing what they have gleaned. I have assigned "Study Buddies" (or they have been chosen) and these are the folks you have to "meet" with on Facebook, Twitter, Email, texting daily (as in the first Century) to discuss and reflect on what you have read or viewed. They usually will generate a common question or idea to bring to class for face-to-face discussion.

Sometimes I will chop up other folks sermons and share them on my blog so that students only have to get the "key point" for our current discussion. We then place the "Take-aways" from our face-to-face discussions on our blog as well as email it out during the following week. We also print them for the next meeting...because some folks still want to have a paper in their hands.

As a result of these practices I believe our folks are truly being transformed by a daily walk with the Lord and moving from "studying" into application and action. Something that we haven't seen a 30 minute sermon on Sunday Morning do in a long time.