I have been working on using Twitter and Facebook for our church. Like many of you the first thought is “Why?” All it seems is just one more thing on the list. But as time goes on and as I use it more I am finding that Twitter, Facebook and Email are great tools to keep in touch.
Like many things you don’t want to overlaod people with information they probably don’t care for. Yet timely and relevant information is crucial. It’s all about the filtering of information. Twitter is instant communication. Email is quick but depends on people being at a computer and of course many times you hear “I check my email several times a week.” Not great if you have something that is time sensitive. Then Facebook seems like something in between the two.
I like using Twitter and Facebook in one stroke of the keys. Well, make that three strokes. With selective Twitter on Facebook I can send my Tweets to Facebook with a #fb at the end of the text message. But then comes what shall I “Tweet” about???
Here are some ideas to add to those circulating in your minds now. I hope they stir some thought on to use technology to your benefit in the church.
Here are five great Twitter ideas you can use for your church communication efforts:
Celebrations: Every time a person dedicates their life to Jesus, gets married in the church, or does something awesome you can tell the world and you church members about it!
Prayer: While you may want to be careful on what details you provide, you can ask your Twitter followers to pray for a specific need or person — or just offer a short daily prayer people can read and feel energized by.
Events: You can easily keep your congregation or church members informed of planned gatherings (or even spontaneous get together’s) by sending Twitter updates — or why not use it to invite people to church in a non-threatening way?
Sermons or Message: Why not [put] a link into your conversation and let people know you have a new sermon or message uploaded so they can listen or watch if they missed it?
Community Dialogue: People in your community will probably be on Twitter and you can begin conversations on pressing needs in your town, schools, or other churches. You can discuss social issues to religion to sports…all great things for building trust and building your church “brand”.
Sermons or Message: Why not [put]a link into your conversation and let people know you have a new sermon or message uploaded so they can listen or watch if they missed it?
Community Dialogue: People in your community will probably be on Twitter and you can begin conversations on pressing needs in your town, schools, or other churches. You can discuss social issues to religion to sports…all great things for building trust and building your church “brand”.
