5 New Media Tips for Church Leaders

Hopefully, the posts here at digital.leadnet.org will create an online archive of resources that both take the mystery out of the new media and create support for your ministry by giving you practical instruction.  Demystifying what's digital is an ongoing process for all of us.  From RSS feeds to Facebook's new email capability, there are new things to learn everyday.  In fact, approaching new technologies with an inquisitive "I'd like to learn" attitude is often what transforms an inquirer into an adopter.

The World Wide Web makes it easy to communicate, collaborate, and interact instantaneously without many of the traditional barriers that limited the old media. The Internet provides us with the hardware to communicate the Gospel, convey Biblical principals and truths, observe spiritual gifts, etc.  From apologetics to evangelism, the Web offers us unlimited ways we can transmit our faith. 

Unfortunately, there are a couple of substantial issues many Christian leaders have with launching into online experimentation.  One is fear.  The other is the time it takes to navigate the (sometimes steep) learning curve.  There is no doubt that the new communication options are often fraught with obstacles, hardships, and potentially painful lessons.  Furthermore, learning proper netiquette, well all things Internet-related for that matter, take time and involve risk.  We are pressed on every side yet must steward our time wisely.  Online endeavors are not prudent unless they produce a good result. It's not hard for busy pastors and church leaders to be completely overwhelmed by the digital age and all it seems to demand of us.  Is it worth the investment?

The answer is yes!  As a point of encouragement, our church podcasted the testimony of a mother who adopted a baby from China.  Within the first couple of weeks, it was downloaded over 1000 times from all over the world.  Your words can extend far beyond any boundaries you've known before.  The new media are here to stay and the sooner you venture in, the sooner you'll get positive results to show for your investment of time.  Like all other forms of discipline and commitment, you need a place to start.  You'll succeed if you take small steps forward.

There are five valuable pieces of counsel I received during my initial entrance into the many online ministry options.  These will benefit you.

• Pray.  Since we've already been commissioned (Matthew 28:19) we don't need further clarification to go and make disciples, but asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance in cyberspace is invaluable.

• Just start.  New endeavors are intimidating, but fear is not a good master.  Join a social networking service, put up a blog, try podcasting an event, use flickr, add skype.  (all free)
  

• Be yourself.  Yes, it's an act of vulnerability but authenticity has a great ring to it.

• Ask for help.  You will need to ask for help so plan on it.  (Several of the our team members on this blog have helped me at some different points in the past. Any of us can advise or direct you.)

• Persevere. Keep going and don't be surprised by disappointments.  I've had all kinds of snafus just with blogging alone.  It's part of the online territory so plan to press through.

By the way, if you weren't aware before now, the Web and the Internet are two different things although not everyone understands the difference.  Add both these concepts to your new vocabulary. 

See, you're already learning.  Now, what would you like to learn about next?