Trending Up: Social Media Strategies for Today's Church

by Mark Forrester (Editor), Brad Lomenick (Foreword by), Justina Chen (Foreword by)

Overview

Every church has a story that can change the course of people's lives—but how do you share that story beyond your four walls?

Throughout these pages, you'll find simple strategies for creating powerful content that can connect your church to the people who need the life-changing story of Christ. Leading church communications specialists break down complex social media themes, providing accessible, practical answers to questions that all churches face, such as:

• What should I be posting based on my goals?
• How do I use social media as a tool to foster community?
• How do I get the people I'm trying to reach with social media?

With this book, your church will be ready to reach one of the biggest missions fields today: the billions of active users on social media.

Topics include:

• Why Social Media?
• Content Strategy
• Story: Your Church's Story & God's Story
• Connecting with Your Church
• Reaching Your Community

Includes recommended books, websites, blogs, and other tools to help you develop your social media presence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781680671858
Publisher:	Salubris Resources
Publication date:	09/19/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	356 KB

About the Author

About the General Editor
Mark Forrester is the senior director of public relations and communications for The General Council of the Assemblies of God, USA (AG). He is charged with finding and telling the stories of the AG across multiple teams and platforms. Mark is cochair, along with Matt Brown and Haley Veturis, of an annual summit for social media directors of Christian denominations and international faith-based nonprofit organizations. Mark is kept in line by his principal-wife, Janine, and his witty and rascally kids, Greyson and Charlotte. Connect with Mark on Twitter: @markgforrester.

About the Contributors
Todd Adkins is the director of the leadership division of LifeWay Christian Resources.

Matt Brown is an evangelist, author, and founder of Think Eternity.

Clark Campbell is the cofounder and CEO of SocialLion, Inc., a social media and event marketing agency based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Chad Cannon is the chief marketing officer for Michael Hyatt & Co.

David Drury is the chief of staff of The Wesleyan Church and the author of 10 books, including Transforming Presence, Being Dad, SoulShift, and God Is for Real.

Drew Gneiser is a storyteller and community builder who believes people are full of potential.

Austin Graff works in social media, marketing, and branding for The Washington Post.

Sam Hoover is the social media manager for Compassion International.

José Huergo, formerly the social media coordinator at Hillsong, is currently the Hillsong Worship brand manager.

Carrie Kintz is a digital communications strategist who works with startup nonprofit organizations and churches to share the gospel across various online platforms.

Brian Orme is the senior content director at Open Doors USA and the founding editor of ChurchLeaders.com and Faithit.com.

Allyson Siwajian is the digital engagement and communications liaison for The Foursquare Church denomination.

Nate Smoyer is a marketing professional with expertise in the fields of digital marketing, social advertising, and influencer marketing, and owner of SmoyerProperties.com.

Haley Veturis is the social media director at Saddleback Church.

About the Foreword Authors
Justina Chen is a story strategist, a trusted communications advisor to leaders, and an award-winning novelist.

Brad Lomenick is a strategic advisor, leadership consultant, and author of H3 and The Catalyst Leader.

Table of Contents

Foreword Brad Lomenick 9

Foreword Justina Chen 11

Introduction 15

Chapter 1 Why Social Media? 19

Has social media been destructive or constructive for the church? Todd Adkins

How has social media changed communication? Brian Orme

Should my church be on social media? David Drury

Chapter 2 Content Strategy 33

How do I determine my goals for social media? Drew Gneiser

What should I post, based on my goals? Chad Cannon

What makes content "sticky"? Matt Brown

Chapter 3 Story: Your Church's Story & God's Story 47

Can social media be more than selfies and cat videos? Carrie Kintz

How can I use social media to tell a bigger story? Sam Hoover

What do I need to know to curate the right stories? Mark Forrester

Chapter 4 Connecting with Your Church 61

Are multiple social media accounts better than a single account from my church? Allyson Siwajian

How do I use social media as a tool to foster community? Jose Huergo

How do I tap into volunteer potential to manage social media? Haley Veturis

Chapter 5 Reaching Your Community 75

How do I get to the people I'm trying to reach with social media? Nate Smoyer

What can we do to amplify the special events at our church? Clark Campbell

How do we leverage social media to create a social movement in our community? Austin Graff

Endnotes 91

Resources Appendix: 93

Recommended books, websites, blogs, platforms, and other tools to ignite or bolster your social media presence

Contributors 99

Acknowledgements 105