November 2014:
The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News in New Ways
By Meredith Gould
Review: The internet and social media are invaluable tools in the ministries of evangelization, communication, and community building. Social media tools make it possible to share conversations and content with the long-time faithful, disaffected millennials, the homebound, and spiritual seekers beyond the church walls.
Meredith Gould’s The Social Media Gospel is an excellent resource for anyone looking to optimize their social media presence for ministry. This is an easy-to-understand, useful guide to digital ministry. Each chapter includes reflection questions that will be helpful in building a personalized social media strategy. For the novice and the uncertain, this book provides step-by-step advice; for those already active, it is an invitation to reflect on what we are doing and ways to improve.
I would recommend this little book to pastors and all involved in religious communication and evangelization.
—Father John Molyneux, C.M.F., Editor, U.S. Catholic
Liturgical Press says: Learn how social media tools can transform your ministry. The Social Media Gospel will teach you new ways to share stories, create community, and inspire action.
Paperback: $14.95
eBook: $12.99
Available at bookstores or from Liturgical Press: 800-858-5450 or shop online at www.litpress.org.
Order now from Liturgical Press.
Questions for Discussion
1. Discuss which of the terms most commonly used to define social media do we need more clarification?
2. How does defining social media help us?
3. Discuss what the practical consequences of moving forward without defining what we mean by social media might be?
4. How does viewing social media through a God-lens help us understand social media as a tool for sharing the Gospel message and conduit for the Holy Spirit?
5. Ask what do we need to understand about community in general and Christian community in particular before using social media?
6. When should we be cautious about using social media as a tool for evangelism?
7. Ask what do we know about the age composition of our church community?
8. How accurate are the assumptions being made about attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors within age cohorts?
9. Consider if you are willing and able to gather more information about the age composition of your church community and those you want to reach.
10. Discuss how learning styles might be impeding your comfort with digital ministry.
11. Discuss what we can do to alleviate concerns people might have about social media being alienating and isolating.
12. Ask yourself what sorts of additional or different community-building skills might be required to extend your community into an online environment?
13. Which factors or concerns are causing resistance to planning your social media usage?
14. Do you know how members of our church community already use social media?
15. Discuss how to ensure that content is Christ-centered and anchored in Gospel values.
