Facebook is big, big enough for ministries and churches to take note.
Naturally, it’s been a very important conversation piece here at The Orange Conference, especially because the demographic that the vast majority of those in attendance this week are having to “deal” or relate to their students that are in there 24/7.
But how does a Pastor or a leader, who may not have any idea about Facebook, begin their “study” of it? Where do you start?
Here’s a resource that I’ve suggested many take a look at: Facebook for Pastors by Chris Forbes.
Although it’s a bit old and some of the content doesn’t necessarily apply (because of dramatic changes to the user interface, core functionality, etc) it’s a heckuva better place to start than Facebook’s Privacy Policy (although you should read it too!).
So start there, but please don’t end there. The best way for you to understand Facebook is to actually use it. Use it. A lot.
A final word of caution as well is this: As good and as big as Facebook is today, it’ll be gone tomorrow. Learn the principles of strategic web engagement and not so much the individual (and temporal) tools. One of those will stay with you a lot longer.
I forwarded on to my Dad (he is an area minister that works with about a 100 pastors in WV). Glad someone is working on stuff like this.
Огромное вам пасибо! а еще посты на эту тему будут в будущем? Очень жду!
I completely agree with your last statement of its more important to learn the "principles" of strategic web engagement rather than the system itself. You can choose to learn all the technicalities and trivia about Facebook, but there's no promise that it will be the big thing in 5 years.
Whereas if you learn how to communicate properly then you will be able to take these principles wherever you go.
"Learn the principles of strategic web engagement and not so much the individual (and temporal) tools." John you are spot on with this statement.
i love the connectivity of fb, but have found more of that in the blog/microblog communities as well. if everyone from fb got a wp blog…oh man…
Your comments at the end are right-on. Tools are good, but having a strategy that transcends tools is better.
word up!
got your message, btw. i'll drop u a line in a bit…
Pastors are sometimes so aloof and so the thought of social media can be daunting…good resource!
Thanks man! I passed this on to my senior pastor.
Hey, good news! We are working on an updated version of the e-book. Jeff Wilson from http://imageforth.com/ is working on it. He will add the new stuff and also talk about advertising, groups, fan pages, and other cool updated stuff. Stay tuned! Thanks for the link!
Sweet! Thanks!
Загляньте на мой мега дор))))
Awesome article, thanks!