#Social & #Digital Media & #Communications and the #church - 10 lessons from 7 years

For the last 7 years or so I have helped various churches with their webpage and social media accounts.

And during her current curacy I've helped my wife's church set up a facebook page and twitter account.

Given those experiences I'd say there are a number of lessons I've learnt.


The language I use in the 10 lessons below is mostly in negative rather than positive language.  This simply reflects my experience  - and of course perceptions of that also - over the last 7 years.  (I'm hoping the next 7 years experience will be more positive). 

The slides I have inserted below are from a presentation by @AdrianHarris (Head of Digital Communications - The Church of England) on Digital Evangelism given to the February 2018 General Synod.

I'm also hoping that in using such language it will help others be realistic about the challenges of helping churches adopt social media and digital communications.  Indeed I hope that by describing some of the pitfalls they'll be forewarned about the obstacles you might face.

1) If church leaders don't want to improve their digital presence they probably won't - even after a presentation you might give on the tremendous reach of social media via smartphones. Indeed I've often found that in a church the major opponents to taking a church into digital media don't use social media  - and bring with them popular misconceptions about its dangers.

2) If church leaders pay little attention to communications then that won't suddenly change -  even if they agree to you setting up some social media accounts for them.  Indeed I've often found that church leaders can't clearly state what audiences they are trying to reach with what messages via what channels - because they just don't prioritise thinking about communications that way.

3) Often you'll only find out about an event coming up when the publicity comes out - not before.  Indeed I've found that even then you have to chase the source of the publicity for pictures or text to use in digital media.  Often this indicates a lack of planning ahead and/or the absence of a "diary" that logs all planned future events - in such cases the weekly notices in effect become the only place things are brought together.

4) If event organisers don't usually nominate somebody to take photos at their events - then they still won't.  Indeed I've often found that the organisers seem to think photo taking is what digital communicators are there to do - even if the event isn't something they'd usually go to.

5) Its really important you get absolute clarity about what permissions are required before pictures of children or adults can be used - but you'll often find it difficult to get that clarity.  Indeed I've found - in the CofE - that the rules within a Diocese can contradict themselves and that different Diocese have different rules.  Often I'll revert to taking pictures of things not people to avoid the whole issue.

6) People who don't "get" digital media will often refer to the digital using pejorative terms like "virtual" or "unreal". Indeed they will characterise what people do in the digital as not serious, playing around, wasting time or not paying attention.  Thus if I take notes during a sermon on paper I'm serious whereas if I do the same on a smartphone I'm distracted.  That's why I prefer language like physical or digital.

7) You'll need to be self-motivated if you want to help the church embrace the digital  - don't assume your time and efforts will be understood or recognised. 

8) People who like planning ahead will and those who don't won't - neither is always the right or wrong approach. Indeed you may need to gently point this out to people who aren't self aware enough to realise they default to describing their preferred approach as always right.

9) Some of you will be comfortable organising digital communications with little preparation time - and some of you won't.  Know what your preferred approach is.  Say no firmly but respectfully to leaders who try to get you to do something you're not comfortable doing.  But in doing so do explain why you can't help them using language about your abilities and skills rather than using language about their approach to planning or spontaneity.

10) From the start work on offering volunteers opportunities to help your digital communications in time limited, flexible, small bite sized pieces.  Indeed with a bit of thought you can often ID events that allow a volunteer to draft some communications on a quarterly basis.

#moving house #top11 things to check as your other half approaches #ordination

ht microsoft clipart for the photo

If your other half will soon be ordained as a Rev then you might well have to move home.  Even if you don't various things are inevitably going to change in your shared lives.  

Here are some thoughts from my experiences so far.

1) Existing (soon to be old) church duties -  at least a month or so before you move try to make sure you're taken off any duties/rotas so you get some breathing space before the move.  This also allows those who've taken over what you were doing to ask questions whilst you're still around.


2) Diocese or National Church Grants and Loans - these may be available for things like the Rev's books, their new wardrobe, extra computer equipment or even an extra car.

3) Moving Quotes - get these from whoever the Diocese approved moving firms are (the Diocese usually decides who gets the moving job).

4) Post Forwarding Service - decide whether/when you need to set this up (or start making a note of all the organisations you need to update with your new address).

5) Car Insurers - let them know when changes to your address happen and your other half's occupation change - otherwise your insurance may not be valid once you've moved and her occupation becomes a Rev and she uses the car in that role.

6) Renting out your old house (if you have one) - decide whether/which letting agency you'll use, arrange for: the necessary landlord gas (and maybe electrical) safety certificates; 4 sets of keys; reading of meters (the letting agency may do this); landlord building and contents insurance; decorating/repairing all those small niggles you've put up with - but which will be a cause of cost to you and complaints from your tenants.

7) Leaving party before the ordination - if you are having one agree who is organising it and send out the invites.

8) How much furniture and stuff you'll need to give away or put into storage - if the accommodation you are moving to is smaller than what you've currently got then its a good opportunity to de-clutter and give some away.  Otherwise work out what you'll need to put into storage before the move (if there isn't a garage at the new place).

9) Seeing each others online diaries - looking forward it will be useful to see what is in your partners diary so you can arrange time together and know when you're both in for meals. If you can use an internet enabled diary like google calendar then so much the better. Getting used to this as a way of working before you move may help you get used to it and iron out any kinks.

10) Have a discussion on some practicalities - like .....Should your answer-phone message give the Rev's mobile for emergencies? If the Rev is at home should they normally answer the phone? (as the bulk of calls will probably be for them).  Are there certain times - like mealtimes - when you agree to let the phone go to answer-phone?

11) Nominating your previous (but still owned) home as your main residence - If your partner and you will reside in living accommodation which is related to your partners job... then notify the tax authorities that you are nominating your old house as your main residence (this gives you Capital Gains Tax Relief).  You may wish to ask them to confirm they agree this nomination is valid and not time limited as your partner is required to reside in accommodation associated with their vocation.