Social Networking and Ministry

Unless you've been hiding under an online rock, you have likely been exposed to a social network of some sort. Whether it's Facebook, Myspace, Twitter or any of the hundreds of other options, the world is connecting with each other at record speeds. It's also making the world a much smaller place. (A few months ago, I was chatting with someone on the other side of the world.) So the question for Children's ministries (and churches) is how can we use social networking in ministry?

Currently, I have a twitter account for my children's minstry, which posts to my children's minsitry website. It's still hit and miss when I remember to use it, but I try to keep the week's Bible class topic update each week and any special events tweeted. Still have very few followers, but then members can see it on our website. A twitter account wtih a strong volunteer following would be a great way to recruit volunteers, or post prayer requests. You could also post during things like camps, to keep folks updated. How about using Twitter to get instant feedback during or after an event?

I have created a Facebook account for the Children's Ministry this week. I've had a group page but this week I've switched to a Fan page. I think it will give me the format and options I want to connect with folks. Currently, I have some parents of kids in my ministry and a few families who have moved away as fans. It will be interesting to see if we can attract new folks to the ministry as they are invovled in a children's ministry event or their child visits - great way to see what we're doing, where their child is visiting and also stay up on upcoming kids events that they might want to participate in. I have very few of my younger kids on Facebook right now, but imagine as this becomes more and more a part of peoples lives, it will attract a younger and younger audience. Best when parents and kids have accounts and are each other's friends.

I had tried to create a Ning site for the children's ministry, but after little participation I'm of a mind that I don't need to create our own little thing off somewhere by ourselves, but I need to find what everyone's using and use it. Thus, I started a Facebook page and already have much more participation - because people are already using it. They didn't need ANOTHER things to check and stay up on.

Any way, I'm heading to a seminar in the morning on this topic. Seems Social Networking and Ministry is a topic many of us are talking about. Can't wait to get their input and see how better we can use these tools. The seminar is being led by the authors of this blog, www.marketingtwins.com.

Happy Tweeting. :)