Church and Social Media 2015 Year in Review, Part 1

Can you believe the year has flown by already? Yes, it’s true! As we close out 2015, what better time than now to take a look back at the top Church and Social Media stories that have shone in the social media spotlight this year.

2015 has, definitely, been a very busy, challenging, and exciting year in church social media. Some of the major developments we’ve witnessed this year have revolved around: 1) the impact of social issues on church social media; 2) the emergence of mobile live streaming technology, especially the increasing popularity of the Periscope and Meerkat apps; and 3) the steady adaptation and implementation of the latest technology, and social media strategies and tools by today’s churches and ministries as they continue to evolve in the Digital Age.

The following compilation includes social media posts highlighting very practical information that can be readily applied by church social media practitioners. So, here are my picks for the top church social media #churchsocialmedia #chsocm stories of 2015:

• 3 Mistakes Churches Make with Social Media – ChurchTechToday.com
• 3 Reasons I Love My Tablet – ChurchMag
• 3 Surprising Facts About Churches on Social Media – TonyMorganLive.com
• 4 Predictions For Online Church in 2016 and Beyond – TonyMorganLive.com
• 4 Things Your Church Website Must Do – ChurchMag
• 4 Tips to Keep Teens Engaged in Church – ChurchTechToday.com
• 4 Ways Churches Should Be Using Text Messaging –  ChristianMedia Magazine
• 5 Easy Tips for Using Periscope in Ministry – ChurchMag
• 5 Reasons to Record and Post Sermons Online – Church Media Blog
• 5 Tips for Periscoping Your Church Service – Nils Smith
• 5 Tips for Promoting Your Church on Facebook – pastors.com
• 5 Ways to Market Your Church Using Pinterest – ChurchTechToday.com
• 5 Ways Social Media Can Help Churches Connect at Christmas – ChurchPlants
• 5 Ways to Use Google Hangouts on Air for Ministry – lifeway.com
• 6 Church Live Streaming Best Practices – ChurchTechToday.com
• 6 Steps to Creating An Effective Guest Follow-up System – ChurchTechToday.com
• 6 Ways Churches Can Use Instagram – JoshBlankenship/ Church Media Made Easy
• 6 Ways to Use Mobile Technology to Power Up Your Spiritual Life / Valorie Burton – thebridge.att.net
• 7 Keys to an Effective Church Social Media Strategy – factsandtrends.net
• 7 Online Church Trends We Have Seen in 2015 – TonyMorganLive.com
• 8 Things Christians Need to Do More on Social Media – Relevant Magazine
• 8 Tips to Get Your Church Started with Twitter – Internet Toolbox for Churches
• 9 Books Every Leader Should Read – Time.com
• 9 Fascinating Facts About People Who Attend Megachurches – Leadership Network
• 9 Steps to Engaging Your Church Through Facebook – Ministry Communicators Association
• 9 Technology Podcasts I’m Enjoying Right Now – ChurchMag
• 10 Books Every Pastor Should Take on Vacation This Summer – ChurchLeaders.com
• 10 Fundamentals to a Creative Church YouTube Strategy – Nils Smith
• 10 Reasons Video Should Be on Your Radar in 2016 – ChurchTechToday.com
• 10 Reasons Why Pastors Should be on Social Media – ymsidekick.com
• 16 Seriously Impressive Gifts That Give Back This Holiday – mashable.com
• 21 Social Media Tips For Your Church – stevefogg.com
• 25 Must Listen to Christian Podcasts – TheologyDegrees.org

Well, that concludes Part 1 of our Church Social Media 2015 Year in Review. Stay tuned for Part 2. Would love to hear your top church social media #chsocm stories of 2015. Btw, for all the latest stories and developments in the church, technology, and social media space be sure to read SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS each week!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Wishing You A Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year!

Be Blessed Everyone,

Kenneth Lillard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014 Church and Social Media Year In Review, Part 2

As 2014 draws rapidly to a close, now is a great time to look back at the top Church and Social Media events and stories of the past year. Hope you had a chance to take a look at ‘2014 Church and Social Media Year in Review, Part 1,’ shared earlier on this site.

Here, in Part 2, we share more of 2014’s top #churchsocialmedia news and developments posted on social media!

Best Christian YouTube Channels – ThinkInternational

Blogging While Brown 2014/ Conference Highlights – Rothesia Stokes/ She Has Purpose

Christianity Today’s 2015 Book Awards – Christianity Today

Christian Bestsellers, December 2014 – Christian Book Expo

#ChSocM Chat/ ChurchSocMed Using social media to build church and deepen faith – Storify

#ChSocM Integrating Technology Into Life and Faith – #ChSocM Founder, Meredith Gould

#ChSocM Searching and Finding Information About Social Media for Church – #ChSocM Founder, Meredith Gould

#ChSocM Strategy and Mission in Church Social Media – #ChSocM Founder, Meredith Gould

#Ferguson and the Cross – Derwin L. Gray/ Christianity Today

Forest Hill Church on Pinterest – Forest Hill Church/ Pinterest

Great Free Resources From Top Churches – djchuang.com

Haley Veturis of Saddleback Church: Episode 85, Social Media Church Podcast – @djchuang

How We Read the Bible: Bible Gateway’s 2014 Year in Review – Biblegateway.com

Is An Online Church Really A Church? – Ed Stetzer/ Christianity Today

Joel Osteen Radio – SiriusXM subscription satellite radio service. Joel Osteen Radio on SiriusXM launched on Sept. 29, 2014.

Jason Caston: The Internet Church Campus/ Biola Digital 2014 – Jason Caston/ WebMatters

Just the Top Bible Websites, Plain and Simple – DJ Chuang/ American Bible Society

Lessons From Mars Hill Church – Gerry & Sherry Breshears/ Living Grace to the World

Maya Angelou: Award Winning Poet, Author, and Activist Dies at 86 – Huffington Post

My Proverbial Summer – Kenneth Lillard

Social Media in Youth Ministry: Tumblr – Rachel Blom/ churchleaders.com

The Potter’s House – T. D. Jakes/ thepottershouse.org

The Year In Gospel: Lecrae Dominates – Billboard

Top 300 Christian Blogs – Kent Shaffer/ Church Relevance

Top Church Tech Blogs 2014 – ChurchMag

Top Churches On Facebook – Social Media Church

Twitter and the Rise of Microprayer – Casey Cep/ The Kernel

Btw, you can stay update-to-date on all the latest news and developments in Church and Social Media by reading SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS. And you can follow me at kennethlillard.com.

What were your top Church and Social Media stories of 2014?

As we count down to a brand New Year, I sincerely wish all my wonderful readers, family, and friends a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed 2015!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed!

Kenneth Lillard

2014 Church and Social Media Year In Review, Part 1

Can you believe that 2014 is almost over? Yes, we just have a few more days until the start of a brand New Year! 2014 has flown by like a jet plane. However, it has truly been an exciting and eventful year in Church and Social Media.

FAITH BASED MEDIA 2.0 continues to tell the fascinating story of how today’s churches are using the latest technology and social media to share the Gospel. Here are some of the top #churchsocialmedia stories shared online via social media over the past twelve (12) months.

4 Ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Count – Relevant

10 Apps to Grab for Your New Smartphone or Tablet – Spiritual Living, Christian Faith/ crosswalk.com

10 Best Religious Personal Finance Blogs – Shared via @ChristianPF

10 Social Media Tools That Make Everything Easier – Chris C. Ducker

11 Imaginative Ways to Use Social Media for Your Church – Steve Fogg

20 Great Ways to Use Instagram at Your Church – TheCreativePastor.com

20 Tips to Tap Into Your Divine ‘Instinct’ for Business Success: T. D. Jakes – blackenterprise.com

21 Of the Best Social Media Articles This Year – SocialMediaToday

31 Days of Thanks – Our Daily Bread

49 Church Blogging Tips – Dave Hakes/ Internet Toolbox for Churches

55 of the Best Church Website Designs – Vandelay Design

100 Years of Glorious History From the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference – Huffington Post Religion

Stay tuned for ‘2014 Church and Social Media Year In Review, Part 2’ where we’ll share more of the top #churchsocialmedia events and stories of 2014!

What were your top #churchsocialmedia stories of 2014?

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed

Kenneth Lillard

Resurrection Sunday 2014 and Social Media

                                                  Happy Easter 2014!

Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life, in Christ Jesus. WOW! I mean, just think about that for a moment. What an incredible blessing. And this is the awesome gift of grace that we celebrate this Resurrection Sunday 2014!  

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” ~ John 11:25-26

As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday 2014, we’re certainly mindful of the fact that Easter is the highest attended church service of the year! Many church members will bring guests to church with them, and many non-churched people will often choose Easter Sunday as the one day in the year they will attend a church service. Consequently, many churches have developed social media plans to encourage and invite others to participate in their Easter Week activities and services.

The following are some great ways social media is being used by church communicators, and others, to share Resurrection Sunday 2014:

• 3 Social Media Tips That Will Help You Promote Your Easter Services – Steve Fogg
• 3 Ways To Avoid Spiritual Burnout As A Church Communicator At Easter – Church Media Magazine
• Awaken Easter 2014 – Kevin Miller, Pastor of Awaken Church
• Easter 2014 Social Media Campaign – Pastor Paul Boekell/ Redemption Church
• The Easter Social Media Invitation – Josh Burns
• How-To: Social Media Plan for Easter Sunday – Patrick Steil, Course Talk/udemy
• The Potter’s House – Bishop T. D. Jakes/ Dallas, Texas
• My Top 8 Church Websites This Easter – Steve Fogg
• The Story of Easter Told Through Social Media – Inspirational Videos/ GodTube

How is your church using social media to encourage others to participate in Resurrection Sunday 2014 activities and services?

Praying You Have A Blessed Easter 2014!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things through Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

The Best of ‘SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS’ – SUMMER 2013 EDITION

Can you believe it? It’s Labor Day Weekend 2013 already! Where have all the sun-drenched days of summer gone? The  autumn leaves of red and gold will soon be swirling in the air. To mark the occasion, we have assembled a special souvenir of the awesome Summer of 2013 that we hope will bless you, and remind you of those much-too-soon-departed, wonderful days of summer!

It has been an especially rich and exciting summer at our companion publication, SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS.  For each of the past 90 days, SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS has offered its readers the best church social media news this summer, packed with information, videos, and photos of the latest, most-talked-about and interesting developments in the faith, social media, and technology space. (Click on the Archives icon to check out previous issues!)

Faith Based Media 2.0 is a faith-based journal of information, innovation, and inspiration. It is designed to creatively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through social media and web 2.0 technologies. We’re always so excited to share the most exciting things happening over at SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS with our loyal readers.

So, we’ve teamed-up and pulled together this summer’s top inspirational stories, chats, podcasts, and thought-provoking opinion pieces from the June, July, and August 2013 editions of SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS.

As we say goodbye to the halcyon days of summer and eagerly anticipate Autumn 2013, we’re happy to present this unique, special edition of the VERY BEST of ‘SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS – SUMMER 2013 EDITION’. Enjoy!

• 5 NFL Stars Turned Pastor or Christian Minister – Christian Post
• 7 Facebook Tips for Pastors – Pastors.com
• 7 Innovative Church Buildings in America  – Church Relevance
•  8 Leadership Lessons From Martin Luther King, Jr. [Podcast] – Michael Hyatt
• 10 Google Services You Didn’t Know Existed and How They Help Church Leaders – UnSeminary
• 35 Social Media Questions for Every Church – ChurchMag
• Are You Putting Technology Ahead of Your Church’s Message – Internet Toolbox for Church/ Dave Hakes
• Behind the Scenes at Christianity Today – Christianity Today
• Church: Social Media Chat: 8/13/13: Myths & Truths About Church Social Media [TwitterChat] – #ChSocM Meredith Gould
• Churches Play Catch-up as Social Media Continues to Grow – Facts and Trends/ Aaron Earls
• Complete List of Churches on Pinterest – Godvertiser.com Kenny Jahng
• Free eBook: ‘Sanctification in the Everyday’ by John Piper – ChurchLeaders.com
• Free eBook: ‘YouTube for Churches Quick Guide’ from ChurchTech Today – ChurchLeaders.com
• How Are Apps Making Prayer Social – Leadership Network/ DJ Chuang
• King’s Dream: Waiting with Perseverance – WP On Faith/ T. D. Jakes
• Mega-Mind of Bishop T. D. Jakes – Patrick D. Shaffer
• More Than 2 Million Will Participate in Back to Church Sunday – ChurchLeaders.com
• Most Anticipated Tech: End of Summer Edition – CNET
• New Bible App Updates, Another Huge Milestone, and More – YouVersion
• Preaching/ Speaking from an iPad? 10 Rules – Patheos
• Summer Boone of Church by the Glades – Episode 51 [Podcast] – DJ Chuang
• What Story Is Your Church Telling? – Mark Brooks

What church social media blog posts, podcasts, or articles were you excited about this summer? Please share them here with our readers and become a part of this, our special, SUMMER 2013 EDITION. Btw, to get your day started right with an on-time word of inspiration and encouragement, be sure to check out FAITH and DEVOTION DAILY.  Much Love & Appreciation!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

The Best of ‘SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS’ – June 2013

SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS is a daily online publication which brings you the very best information from across the Internet on all the latest developments, news, and views in the social media, faith, and technology space.

It’s halfway through  Summer 2013 and we’ve pulled together the top inspirational stories, chats, podcasts, and thought-provoking opinion pieces from the June editions of SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS for your information, convenience, and enjoyment.  The following represent the summer’s hottest church social media stories – the Very ‘Best of SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS’ – June 2013:

• ‘2 Minute Pastor’ Takes Daily Devotionals to High Tech Land of Video App – Christian Post Tech
• 5 Incredible Takeaways From Behind the Scenes with Carl George, A Master Church Consultant – Will Mancini
• 9 Hispanic Christian Celebrities You Should Know– Christian Post
• 12 Twitter Chats for Community Managers and Social Media Pros –  Simply Measured
• BET’s Lift Every Voice on Pinterest – Black Entertainment Television
• Church Documents You Should Post on Your Website – The iChurch Method
• Church Internet Strategy: How to Make it More Than a Pile of Paper – Internet Toolbox for Churches
• Church Mag’s 2013 Top Church Tech Blogs – ChurchMag
• Creating and Sustaining a Social Media Voice for Your Church – #ChSocM Weekly Twitter Chat/ Meredith Gould
• Dr. Martin Luther King Nominated for Canonization by the Christian Orthodox Church – Christian Post
• How to Get Your Church Started on Twitter – Episcopal Share
• Joel Osteen iPhone App Reaching Tens of Thousands – Christian Post
• List of Online Churches – djChauang.com
• Pursuit of Diversity and the Local Church – Christianity Today/ Trillia Newbell
• The Rise of the @Pastor – The Barna Group
• Top 5 Churches That Use Social Media Best – Christian Post
• Top Ten List for Using Social Media for Ministry – Catholic Web Solutions
• Social Media and the Church – Social Media Today
• Summer Boone of Church by the Glades: Episode 51 – Social Media Podcast/ Social Media Church
• Why Your Church Should Have a Podcast – Media\Outreach

Are there any June 2013 church social media articles, online chats, podcasts, or posts you would recommend to our readers?

During Summer 2013, stay on top of all the latest SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS by subscribing today!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Stay Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

The Best of ‘Social Media and Ministry News’ – May 2013

The month of May has been another exciting and busy time at SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS, a daily online publication which brings you the very best information from across the web on all the latest developments, news, and views in the social media, faith, and technology space.

Many inspirational stories, chats, thought-provoking podcasts, and insightful opinion pieces have been shared in this month’s editions. Here are some of the very best featured stories:

• 20 of the Best WordPress Themes For Churches – Templates – Website.net
• Does Your Ministry Have a Strategy? No? You’re Not Alone – #ChSocM Weekly Chat, Meredith Gould
• Why is Social Media Important for Churches – Jason Caston
• Not a Celebrity Pastor’s Wife? 10 Reasons That’s OK – Megan Hill
• Book Review: Social Media Guide for Ministry – Church Tech Today
• Free eBook – 7 Things Every Church Should Communicate Every Sunday – Tim Peters
• Internet Outreach: What Others Are Saying – Internet Toolbox for Churches, Dave Hakes
• John Dyer – From The Garden to The City: Episode 45 – Social Media Church – DJ Chuang [Podcast]
• Followers, Friends, and Faith in the Digital Age – The Christian Century, Edward J. Blum
• Noel Jones and the Real Pastors of Southern California – The Christian Post

Which May 2013 social media and ministry articles or blog posts would you recommend to our readers?

Don’t miss any of the latest developments in the church social media space.  Subscribe to SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

 

Facebook Fast For Lent?

Did you know that a number of people have chosen to fast from Facebook for Lent? That’s right! They have already gone cold turkey from the world’s largest social network in order to draw closer to God during this period of spiritual preparation for Easter. If you are reading this post on Facebook, I assume you have decided not go that route.

Many have chosen to embark on other types of fasts. In Biblical times, fasting meant subsisting on water alone, or abstaining from rich foods and eating a vegetable only diet, e.g., the Daniel fast (see Daniel 1:8-16).

However, in 2013, we Christians fast, not only from food, but also from television, video games, carbon, electronic devices, media, and social networking – including, of course, Facebook and Twitter.

There is now a vigorous debate going on as to the costs and benefits of going on a social media fast for Lent. While some have chosen to do the social media fast for several days, others have decided to unplug from the social networking grid for the whole 40 days. And many others have refused to fast at all from Facebook, or any other social network, during Lent.

The goal of any Lenten fast (or other Lenten discipline, such as repentance, prayer, study, works of love) is to give up something we’ve become accustomed to, in order to remind ourselves of how we should be dependent on God. “Man does not live by bread alone.” Dueteronomy 8:3.

Believe it or not, some spend more time in the digital world than in the real world! Man does not live by Facebook alone, either. So, here are some of the pros and cons of going on a social networking fast for Lent.

Benefits of unplugging from the social networking grid:

• You’re not being constantly distracted from focusing on God by a steady barrage of status updates, tweets, likes, RT’s, DM’s, etc.
• You can get outside more – breathe fresh air and sunshine.
• Pace of life slows down – you don’t feel so hurried or rushed all the time. Enables you to better focus on Jesus and his meaning in your life.
• Reclaim valuable time from continual social networking.
• Sharing everything is not always such a good thing.
• Decreases tendencies to narcissism and selfishness.
• Reconnect face-to-face with family, friends, loved-ones, and neighbors.
• More time available for prayer.
• More quiet time to meditate on the Word of God.
• Beneficial to one’s spiritual and relational health.
• More time to appreciate the hope of God whose “steadfast love endures forever”!

Disadvantages of going on a social media fast:

• Social media helps you to see and appreciate the hand of God at work in the world.
• FB helps to deepen community by connecting you to those you care about, as well as others around the globe.
• Social media helps you to minister, care for, and love your neighbors in  a broader spectrum of ways.
• Social media is not a distraction from God, but rather reminds you of how truly awesome He is, giving you new reasons to appreciate Him even more.
• Helps one to grow and develop spiritually, personally and professionally.
• Social media helps to enrich one’s life through exposure to new knowledge, ideas, and friendships.
• Social media provides more opportunities to share the Gospel, as well as, serve and minister to others, both locally and globally.

While the debate continues, the important thing to remember during Lent is to stay plugged in to God, drawing closer to Him, and seeking to deepen an understanding  of His purposes in our lives. This can be done whether we’re on Facebook or totally unplugged from the social networking grid!

The following are some reflections on this debate:

How to Give Up Facebook for Lent and Keep Your Friends – CNET

Why I’m Fasting From Facebook This Lent – Becky Garrison

Why I’m Not Giving Up Facebook For Lent – Christ and Pop Culture

Four Lessons From My Lenten Social Media Fast – Robert Talbert

Until next time, remember, you can do all things through Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

“FAITH and DEVOTION DAILY” LAUNCHED

Growing stronger, wiser, and better through faith each and every day! “…Just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17 

FAITH and DEVOTION DAILY is out!

We are moving higher in the LORD with this month’s launch of the new online, faith-based publication, FAITH and DEVOTION DAILY!

FAITH and DEVOTION DAILY is dedicated to helping you grow in relationship with God through inspiration, education, and motivation. It employs the incredible leverage of social media, and web 2.0 technologies to “tell the story” and reach people of faith around the world. Designed to help strengthen faith through daily doses of the Word and inspirational stories, it draws on a broad range of faith based media to inspire and grow your relationship with God! 

FAITH and DEVOTION DAILY is filled with devotionals, inspiring stories of faith, and faith-filled articles, opinion pieces, blog posts, photos, and videos. It is a useful, daily companion for quiet time, meditation and reflection on the Word. And it sheds new light on current events and developments from a faith perspective!

FAITH and DEVOTION DAILY brings you the latest news and views affecting people of faith, while focusing on examples of a healthy Christian lifestyle. Recent articles included the reaction of people of faith to the school shooting in Newtown, CT, as well as, an appreciation of the real meaning of Christmas!

This month also witnessed the launch of SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS. Looking for an effective way to provide regular updates to the key topics and concepts presented in my recent book SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY, I hit upon the idea of publishing an online daily newspaper to bring you the latest, most up-to-date information, developments, and opinions in the fields of social media, faith and technology from a wide variety of leading online sources.  

SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS is sort of like SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY LIVE/ Breaking News! LOL! It provides further insights, and additional “bonus” material to those who purchased the book, SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY. I hope you find it informative and helpful.

Finally, a reminder that 2012 is not over yet! You still have time to accomplish and achieve more of your goals and dreams this year. In Matthew 19:26 Jesus said, with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible! God is not finished with you yet! Continue to pursue you dreams!

What remaining goals for 2012 are you still working on?

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Stay Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

Churches Use Social Media in Disaster Relief #HurricaneSandy

 

Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc across the Jersey Shore, NY, and Long Island a couple of weeks ago. People immediately jumped on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to post and share their stories, images, and videos of the super storm.

Social media sites provided platforms for people around the tri-state area to map the flooding from Hurricane Sandy, and of course, help news organizations cover the crisis. Many took to social media to connect, share and collaborate around core needs, even as the region’s own infrastructure  struggled or totally failed. Local people even posted maps of open gas stations!

While NYC has a sophisticated digital initiative, NYC Digital, that sprang into action, local churches also used the Internet and social media to help respond to the disaster. Oasis Church in Springfield, NJ has been using the Internet to respond to the super storm,  including attracting hundreds of volunteers from across the country to help make the Thanksgiving holiday season a little brighter for those affected by the devastation.  And even though the megastorm has passed, many still need assistance, and much recovery work remains to be done.

Here are 10 ways churches can use social media to assist during disasters:

• Use FB and Twitter as an early warning system for members and the community-at-large. Twitter, often, comes out with the news  before the news organizations.
• Share news updates, storm experiences, prayer requests, and calls for assistance.
• Use FB and Twitter to let people know how to prepare, what’s coming, and where to get help.
• Provide links to official disaster response organizations like FEMA, NVOAD, local police and fire departments, hospitals, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.
• Create bulletin boards, using #hashtags on Twitter linked to FB, to post the latest news, injury reports, power outages, evacuations, dangerous situations, damage reports of churches and elsewhere in the community, relief resources, etc.
• Prepare a crisis plan/ phone tree. (Btw, social media is actually the new phone tree tool.) Remind members to check on each other and those in the community, especially the vulnerable and elderly.
• Use FB and Twitter to organize, mobilize, and publicize relief and recovery efforts.
• Provide prayer and pastoral care for those whose lives have been impacted by the disaster.
• Establish relationships and digital connections with relief organizations before the disaster strikes.
• Prepare your plan for the next disaster now, and begin communicating it ASAP!

For more information on social media response to disasters see the following links:

72 Hour Lutheran – TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod Disaster Preparations and Response

Church Media: Being Ready In and Out of Season – Church Mag

Hurricane Sandy Resources: How You Can Volunteer and Donate – NJ.com

Instagram Users Share 10 Hurricane Sandy Photos Per Second – Mashable

Oasis Church Uses Web to Recruit Hundreds of Volunteers for Hurricane Sandy Aid– NJ.com

Recovers.org – Community software that helps organize volunteers, donations, and information during disaster situations

Texting Connects Families During Disaster – Orlando Sentinel

Social Media Aids Hurricane Sandy Cleanup on Staten Island – silive.com

Social Media’s Crucial Role in Disaster Relief Efforts – Guardian.co.uk

Social Media Follow Hurricane Sandy’s Destructive Path Up the East Coast – USA Today

Social Media Tools For Disaster Planning and Communications (Twitter Chat) – Church Social Media Blog #Chsocm

What Was Novel About Social Media During Hurricane Sandy? – Patrick Meier, iRevolution 

How is your church/ministry preparing for the next disaster? How is digital social media included in your strategy?

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Stay Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard