Today we’re reviewing, discussing, and giving away four copies of the brand new book The Social Media Gospel by Meredith Gould. Keep reading to learn how you can get a copy.
Meredith Gould has written a new book about church social media titled The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News in New Ways. Meredith is a sociologist and a strategist, and that’s reflected in her insightful approach to social media and this book.
There are already lots of resources available about social media tactics – how to set-up and manage accounts. The Social Media Gospel avoids tactics and helps pastors and church leaders understand why and how to use social media well.
The first section of the book helps the reader to think about social media from different frameworks or perspectives – theological, generational, in terms of learning styles and personality types. The second section of the book helps the reader to understand some of the most popular social media platforms in use today so that he or she can choose the best platform for his or her church and use them well.
What I like most about The Social Media Gospel is it provides a broad understanding of social media in the context of the unique spiritual and relational dynamics that encompass the local church. Instead of telling the reader what to do (which would be impossible anyway because every church is different), it provides the reader with an understanding that empowers them to make their own informed strategic decisions.
Plus Meredith’s energy and wit come through in her writing make it engaging to read. 🙂
If you’re considering using social media in your church or already doing so and want to do it better, you’ll find The Social Media Gospel worth a read.
Win a Copy of The Social Media Gospel
I’ve been given 4 copies of The Social Media Gospel to give away to Christian Web Trends readers. If you’d like to win one all you have to do is…
- Share this post on Facebook, Twitter or Google+
- Post a comment and share where you think your church has the greatest potential to make a difference using social media (and include the URL where you shared the post).
At around 4 PM ET Monday, August 5, four people who have commented and shared this post will be selected to receive a free copy of the book.
In the mean time, you can purchase a copy on Amazon.
Disclosure: I received an advanced digital copy and a print copy of the book and the links in this post are affiliate links.
Google+ Hangout on Air with Meredith Gould – 2 PM July 31
Just a quick reminder that I’ll be interviewing Meredith Gould at 2 PM Today (July 31) in a Google+ Hangout on Air. You can watch me interview her live and post questions you’d like me to ask her. Click here for more details and to join us!
14 Comments
I think we can really make a difference in reaching out to those who have drifted away from the church, those who feel disconnected or forgotten. https://plus.google.com/102204174818489832266/pos…
We have reached out to those who are too sick to come to church but still want to keep up to date. Through our social media channels they get updated on news, prayer points and can follow links to our mp3 sermons. I tweeted the post on my Twitter @JohnFunnell1
The church I currently serve as an intern could expand its #chsocm presence beyond fb to g+ twitter and pinterest (for starters!) https://twitter.com/jodymask/status/3626987653977…
Hi, Paul – great offer and the book looks fascinating:)
I create social media content for our church through its main FB page and several small group pages. At this point, I want to shift from being a news stream to a more evangelical conduit, similar to what several others have already noted.
The thing about social media is that it IS all about relationship and if we simply transfer traditional evangelism strategies to the online world, we have not accomplished much, especially with respect to younger people.
I am hoping this book will help me do that.
Note; I'm posting on as many SM forums as I have access to, including Twitter, Tumblr, FB, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Google+. Look foward to reading the book.
Twitter post: https://twitter.com/StratLearner/status/363671477…
John
>>The thing about social media is that it IS all about relationship and if we simply transfer traditional evangelism strategies to the online world, we have not accomplished much, especially with respect to younger people.
John, I agree completely. Traditional evangelism strategies have tended to operate under the assumption that people lack knowledge of Jesus and if we inform them of the gospel, they will choose to follow Jesus. However, today people will not listen unless they are accepted, given the opportunity to dialogue, and we demonstrate that we are trustworthy and genuinely care about them (not pushing an agenda or trying to score conversions). Posting evangelism tracts to social media is not going to be very effective, but asking and discussing spiritual issues in social media can be an effective way to help people explore Christianity.
An additional thought about our church and social media:
Many of our members are older and less involved in social media or as active in the life of the church as they once were. They are also less known to younger, more active members.
Social media provides a simple and effective way to introduce members to one another. SM combines the best of the newsletter article and the coffee time before church, but is way more easy:) Who knows, maybe that older member will be less wary of the new technology and the younger member will at least be able to put a story with a face. The inter-generational aspect of being church is not where it should be.
I have been working with The Grove Church on their social media, and we've found posting Bible verses to facebook as photos gets a lot better reach than as a plain status (think Pinterest). So we've been doing that. I think we could post informal video devotions. I also think our church could engage local people in conversation on twitter.
I posted this blog to https://twitter.com/JustinRGrice/status/363744954… and hope to win!
I think Pinterest has untapped potential for our church. Articles, clips, photos etc can be shared on this evolving site as well as scripture accompanied by images [poster verses]. Folk of all ages enjoy it, even saying it is addictive [in a good way]. https://twitter.com/JeRuMcRae/status/363956519487… https://twitter.com/JRPoulter/status/363956705752…
Thanks for the comment. I've just started using Pintrest. I can see how posting photos or scripture images can be done there, but how do you post articles to Pintrest? Can you point me to an example?
this is how i post full articles to pinterest my friend – http://snapito.com/
Thanks Jason! Are your analytics showing it's worthwhile? Are you getting traffic and leads from Pintrest?
I use Facebook and Twitter to spread the gospel in daily thoughts and ideas tha The Lord gives to me or puts on my heart. With over 3,500 friends on Facebook, I get more likes, views and comments than I would have ever imagined! I shared this on Facebook/rahayes82
i wish to get that book,it is going to help in internet evangelism.
Alright folks, the moment you've been waiting for. It's time to announce the 4 people who have won a copy of The Social Media Gospel. They are…
John E. Smith
Jody Mask
Justin Grice
J.R. McRae
Congrats!!! I'll email the winners privately to get addresses to mail the books.
Thanks to Meredith Gould and Liturgical Press (the book's publisher) for providing the give away copies!
Thanks to everyone who commented and shared. If you didn't win, you can still pick up a copy at – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/081463558X/ref=a…
And don't forget to join Meredith, myself and many others in the #ChSocM (church social media) community for our twitter chat every Tuesday at 9 PM ET: http://twubs.com/chsocm