We talk on here a lot about social media, how to do best practices, where we need to invest our time, statistics, infographics, and every other business practice there is. I love diving into the facts, making the online experience much similar for others, and knowing I have helped a ministry do something a bit better. But that is not the ultimate goal for ministries.
I serve as a youth worker and nearly every day am connecting with teens online, but the endgame is not to get another friend, fan, or comment. My endgame is to sit face-to-face with them and share who Jesus is.
I was reminded of this fact from a recent YouTube video that the National Youth Workers Convention just put out as a promo for their conferences this year and it hits this relational social media concept right on the nose.
[tentblogger-youtube 877vXJXw4IE]
How are you making social media more than just a digital experience?
[via Morethandodgeball.com]
Eric J says
Cool video but correct me if i am wrong but facebook doesn’t support hashtags right?
Jonathan Ober says
if you use twitter and Facebook and link the two… 🙂
Jeremy Smith says
You are right. People do tend to cross over the unnecessary hashtags. It’s becoming a cultural icon whether Facebook incorporates it or not.
Jonathan Ober says
Our youth group has about 300 students on Wednesdays and Sundays morning. We have a staff of 6 or so paid employees at our church ranging from HS, MS, Worship/Tech, Girls ministry, Guys ministry and logistics. We have roughly 50-60 volunteer small group leaders in pairs working with 6-12 groups of guys or girls.
I have worked with teens for over 6 years now seeing my second group graduate from HS. I know at times I just shake my head at some of the ‘dumb’ stuff they do, laugh at them, or even want to hit them when they act out…but this video is a clear reminder that even after years of being out of my group some of the students that I have connected with come back to me asking for prayer and advice through wherever they are in life. I have four server in the military, several off at college or getting ready for college, and a few that have stayed back to become student leaders as they are in their first years of college.
God has truly blessed our ministry at our church and I am thankful for this video that brings it all back to the relationship we have with God and with each other.
Thank you.
Jeremy Smith says
Glad this quick video has provided inspiration for you! All those things that you listed are very really and need our attention, but it is this overall goal to love on teens and share the Gospel that is our calling! Continue to serve well.