Posts Tagged facebook
Using Social Media in Order to ‘Effectively Evangelize Digital Continent’
Posted by Joel in Technology on November 27, 2010
- Image via Wikipedia
We live in a digital world and I’m just a digital girl, ur, I mean, well, um… Look, just ignore what you just read. Back to the story.
Stuart notes that the US Catholic Bishops are taking the far front in using technology to reach the masses. In preparing RFP/T’s for various State governments, I’ve noticed that many governments are wanting to make use of Social Media to spread their message or to interact with their citizens.
I am here today to suggest that you should not allow yourselves to be fooled by its appearance. Social media is proving itself to be a force with which to be reckoned. If not, the church may be facing as great a challenge as that of the Protestant Reformation.
That sounds like more hyperbole, doesn’t it? But the numbers are compelling.
There are more than 500 million active users on Facebook. If it were a nation, only India and China would have more citizens. The American Red Cross reported that it raised more than $5 million dollars, $10 at a time, through a text messaging service. One out of eight MARRIED couples in the United States say they met through social media. It took 13 years for television to reach 50 million users. After the iPod was introduced, it took only nine months for 1 billion applications to be downloaded.
Pope Benedict XVI calls the world of social media a Digital Continent, with natives, immigrants, and even missionaries. He encourages Catholics, especially our priests, to approach this culture of 140 characters and virtual friendships as a great opportunity for evangelization. We are asked to respect the culture of these Twitterers and Facebookers, and to engage on their terms to bring Christ into their “brave new world.”
Read the rest on Stuart’s h-blog-t.
I believe that with the advent of technology, it behooves us to use it to effect our deliverables. Whether the Gospel or Scholarship, politics or anarchy, if we fail to use technology properly, then we will soon become archaic and pass away….
(psst…. and NO Jeremy, while I appreciate what Bishop Herzog is saying, this in no way means I’ll end up Catholic.)
Related articles
- Talking ’bout my Sssssssocial Media [Stuarte Harris] (ecademy.com)
- Bishops urged to embrace social media to evangelize effectively (e1evation.com)
Are Websites and Social Networks Important to Local Churches?
Posted by Joel in Technology on November 19, 2010
- Image via CrunchBase
I’m going to go ahead and say yes, actually. But, more than that – it is becoming important to the Christian as well. In an age where we are being separated by noise, distraction, etc… from the Gospel, we have to use the tools around us.
During our discussion this week on Church Renewal, the topic of technology came up. (I am learning a great deal from my class mates on this subject. More than that – I am learning about me too). So, when this story popped up…
Griffith told attendees to examine the effectiveness of their church’s website, advice Woodland Memorial responded to by re-launching their online presence in July. “Our previous site had a web address that was too long for people to remember, and was difficult to update,” said Woodland Memorial pastor, Rev. Ed Craft.
The new site, http://woodlandum.com, was visited more than 3,000 times from July until mid-September. Church leaders are responsible for updating content specific to their ministry, and have access to tech support at no charge during the week.
Church gains community presence with website | West Virginia Conference United Methodist Church.
I still think it can be done for less than 200 bucks a year…
Anyway, I do think that such things as Twitter and Facebook could come in handy for growing the body of Christ.
What? Share my Facebook password with my wife? Never!!!!!
Posted by Joel in Technology on November 17, 2010
- Image via Wikipedia
A New Jersey pastor is telling his married church leaders to delete Facebook or resign.
The Rev. Cedric Miller says much of his recent marital counseling has included infidelity stemming from the social-network website.
The leader of Living Word Christian Fellowship Church in Neptune says Facebook is reigniting old passions. His plan was first reported by the Asbury Park Press.
Miller already had asked married couples among his 1,100 congregants to share their Facebook passwords with each other. He says the reaction to that request was mixed.
He says on Sunday that he will also “strongly suggest” that all married parishioners give up Facebook altogether.
Pastor to church leaders: Thou shalt not Facebook – Technology & science – Tech and gadgets – msnbc.com.
I hate to tell Rev. Miller, but one flesh doesn’t mean that we share passwords, and don’t flirt, or anything like that…
Mark Stevens is an evil little New Zealander
Posted by Joel in Biblioblogging on October 25, 2010
If you are friends with Joel Watts on Facebook (and almost everyone in the world is because Joel needs this kind of affirmation. Its all about numbers with Joel) then YOU are being encouraged to use the “Poke” feature (the most pointless feature in the world – apart from all of those i-phone apps out there) and give Joel a good Poke.
Also, spread the word around the blog-sphere and encourage as many people as possible to “Poke Joel” on “International Poke Joel Watts Day“
Don’t listen to him.
Need God in your Life? There’s an App for that
Posted by Joel in Technology on May 10, 2010
The First Church of Facebook?
Thou shalt be spiritual in the face of religiousity?
Odd you may say, but according to a recent report, more and more of the ‘Millenial’ generation are being drawn to cyberspace to find their dose of religion, er, I mean spirituality. Online sites, blogs, apps, and even online pastors are now catering to those who shirk tradition, four walls, and meeting together, in favor of more progressive means of involving God in their often busy daily routines. These new worshipers, the others say, need to have some sort of control over the religion in their lives. Get it? It is not about surrendering to God any longer, but about where is the best fit for God in one’s life. God comes right between the kids and Lost, on Tuesdays at 8:55 Eastern, or Sunday perhaps, right before the big game. Maybe at 8 on Saturdays, when the Gaither Gospel Hour is playing. Maybe, if you can’t do it then, try it on your morning drive, during commercials while listening to your favorite drive-time duo. And, if nothing else, you can get daily devotionals on your Iphone, Ipad, or Android (or, if you are old enough, your Palm). Do we really need anything more than just a brief, feel good message?
This is a mind-set which sees religion as an aspect of life, something that is only a part of a greater scheme of things. . Instead, our faith should be seen as the way we live our life.
(ht.)
Adding the Like Button to your Self-Hosted WordPress Site
Posted by Joel in Technology on April 24, 2010
Yep. Facebook’s ‘Like’ button (that old Fan button) is now internet wide, and you will soon find it on pages throughout CyberSpace. Guess what? You can add it easily on your self-hosted wordpress site.
Adding a Facebook Like Button to your WordPress Website from Jerad Hill on Vimeo.
Too Critical of Islam on Facebook? Guess What…
Over the course of the past week, I’ve gotten reports from a number of people whose personal Facebook pages have been removed or deleted from the Facebook platform. At first, it was a male friend in Morocco. Then a female, Moroccan friend in Boston. Then an Indian woman in the UK. And then even more.
Once I investigated a bit further and spoke to each of them, I discovered what each of them have in common: All of them are critical of Islam (some are atheists, others ex-Muslims, still others reformers) and post frequently articles and status updates about the religion.
Read the rest over yonder:
