Leaving Breadcrumbs
My changing approach to social media
When it comes to using social media for the church, my sensibilities have changed over the years: I no longer view social media as cheap marketing or publicity but as a way to leave “breadcrumbs” about the community of faith we at Open Table Community Church are trying to become.
In other words, social media allows me to leave footprints for where our church has been and is going, rather than trying to be a megaphone or a slick brochure.
If something is “produced” rather than “shared,” my hunch is that people can tell the difference. And due to the character of our church, we want more of the latter than the former. Social media, in the case of our church size and dynamic (under 100), seems more natural when it happens in the natural rhythm of my work and ministry rather than being a strategic or polished tool.
Because I run whatever social media comes out of our church, I try and keep things simple and sustainable. Of course it helps that our congregation doesn’t have an enormous appetite for social media, but I cover the basics in a few hours a week* (most done from my smartphone).
Of the social media outlets, I see Twitter as having the most potential for evangelism and witness. I often have dialogues with those (usually younger) who are inclined to question the traditional institution of church and perhaps are wondering what I think about contemporary issues. Through this, they have access to what I follow, read and comment on.
That’s why I think the “breadcrumbs” notion works. It is about self-disclosure without trying to be self-promotional. Sharing ideas, promoting people and bookmarking articles are my primary uses for social media. I only share something when I have something to say. This approach doesn’t lead to results, but I am not looking for results, I’m looking to leave a record.
I love how technology adds something to our reach as a community of faith, but I don’t think the gospel makes actual progress without a living, breathing, credible witness in person.
David Park is lead pastor of Open Table Community Church (EFCA) in Atlanta, Ga. (@opentablec). Once an avid blogger and troll at nextgenerasianchurch.com, he looks now mostly to be a follower.
- *I stick to the basics and not the cutting-edge: Our Facebook page and website are updated at least weekly with some new content; events are updated using Google calendar; and the latest message is tweaked using Garageband (audio software that comes with the Mac), uploaded using an FTP app and incorporated into the website using a Wordpress plug-in (free). I compile those things and highlight any news or event in general with a weekly emailed newsletter using Mailchimp.
Leaving Breadcrumbs
When it comes to using social media for the church, my sensibilities have changed over the years: I no longer view social media as cheap marketing or publicity but as a way to leave “breadcrumbs” about the community of faith we at Open Table Community Church are trying to become.
In other words, social media allows me to leave footprints for where our church has been and is going, rather than trying to be a megaphone or a slick brochure.
If something is “produced” rather than “shared,” my hunch is that people can tell the difference. And due to the character of our church, we want more of the latter than the former. Social media, in the case of our church size and dynamic (under 100), seems more natural when it happens in the natural rhythm of my work and ministry rather than being a strategic or polished tool.
Because I run whatever social media comes out of our church, I try and keep things simple and sustainable. Of course it helps that our congregation doesn’t have an enormous appetite for social media, but I cover the basics in a few hours a week* (most done from my smartphone).
Of the social media outlets, I see Twitter as having the most potential for evangelism and witness. I often have dialogues with those (usually younger) who are inclined to question the traditional institution of church and perhaps are wondering what I think about contemporary issues. Through this, they have access to what I follow, read and comment on.
That’s why I think the “breadcrumbs” notion works. It is about self-disclosure without trying to be self-promotional. Sharing ideas, promoting people and bookmarking articles are my primary uses for social media. I only share something when I have something to say. This approach doesn’t lead to results, but I am not looking for results, I’m looking to leave a record.
I love how technology adds something to our reach as a community of faith, but I don’t think the gospel makes actual progress without a living, breathing, credible witness in person.
David Park is lead pastor of Open Table Community Church (EFCA) in Atlanta, Ga. (@opentablec). Once an avid blogger and troll at nextgenerasianchurch.com, he looks now mostly to be a follower.
*I stick to the basics and not the cutting-edge: Our Facebook page and website are updated at least weekly with some new content; events are updated using Google calendar; and the latest message is tweaked using Garageband (audio software that comes with the Mac), uploaded using an FTP app and incorporated into the website using a Wordpress plug-in (free). I compile those things and highlight any news or event in general with a weekly emailed newsletter using Mailchimp.