Facebook’s Nona Jones returns to the podcast to talk about the best and worst practices churches and organizations use on social media, why online ministry is about more than just streaming content, and what the church and social media will be like post-COVID.
Welcome to Episode 351 of the podcast. Listen and access the show notes below or search for the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and listen for free.
Plus, in this episode’s What I’m Thinking About segment, Carey shares three reasons why you may want to reconsider whether you should close your building after reopening it.
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Episode Links
The Global Leadership Summit
2020 has been a year like never before, so this year’s Global Leadership Summit will be a Summit like never before, provided both in-person and as an enhanced digital experience. With the theme “You Have Influence,” 2020 GLS includes more than 15 world-class faculty including Craig Groeschel, Nona Jones, Nike director Beth Comstock, Sadie Robertson Huff, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Lysa TerKeurst.
We have never needed more encouragement, inspiration and skills to navigate our world, and these top-notch speakers will address how we can each lead through crisis. GLS 2020 will be telecast live in HD from Chicago to hundreds of host locations across the country or online on August 6-7.
Podcast listeners get $20 off the individual ticket rate now through August 6th when you use the code: CAREYPODCAST at GlobalLeadership.org.
Lead to Win
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CONVERSATION LINKS
From Social Media to Social Ministry by Nona Jones
3 INSIGHTS FROM NONA
1. It’s time to re-evaluate what your building is for
Recent studies have found that it’s possible for people to deepen their faith outside a church building. With the impact of COVID, it’s time we ask, “What can people only get when they’re gathered inside a building?”
When we begin to think this way and ask this question, we rethink the traditional American model for church. Maybe you need to make your service more engaging. Maybe you need to change the goal of a Sunday morning. Give yourself permission to dream and make change right now.
2. Don’t use other churches as a benchmark
Not only is Nona an author and Head of Faith-Based Partnerships at Facebook, but she also pastors a church with her husband. Sometimes, when she talks about streaming technology, her husband asks how their church’s live stream numbers compare to other churches.
If you’re a lead pastor, that is probably the first question you would ask, as well. But Nona says it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Instead, determine the impact you want to make and what is excellence for your ministry.
3. Use TikTok For The Personal, Fun Side of Ministry and Life
Social media has opened tons of doors for doing ministry throughout the week. Facebook is great for creating groups and helping your members stay connected Monday through Saturday. Instagram is great for tracking with your congregation personally. But what about TikTok? Can it be used for ministry, too?
Isn’t TikTok just for dancing? Nona suggests using it as a tool to bring entertainment and fun. Now more than ever, people desire to see you as a real person before they’re willing to listen to your advice.
Quotes from Episode 351
For so long we've thought of church as a program. We've thought of it as a place, we've thought of it as a date, time, and location. - Nona Jones Click To Tweet People have discovered that they can deepen their faith without being in a building. - Nona Jones Click To Tweet For pastors who are so focused on the building, you really have to think, 'What can people get at this building that they cannot get digitally?' - Nona Jones Click To Tweet It's not the gathering that transforms, it's the power of God. And God is not inhibited by an address. - Nona Jones Click To Tweet There's a nagging sense among many church leaders that unless the building is open, the church isn't. @cnieuwhof Click To Tweet On the plus side, people have definitely seen this as an opportunity to become more savvy about digital ministry. - Nona Jones Click To Tweet On the minus side, people have still not yet understood that ministry can and should happen outside of the four walls of the church. - Nona Jones Click To Tweet As a pastor, a lot of times we get very focused on being students of the Bible, students of other preachers, students of theology, and we overlook the need to become students of people. - Nona Jones Click To Tweet An audience is passive, so it's important to have live streaming as part of your continuum of ministry, but don't let that be the big end. - Nona Jones Click To Tweet If you only live stream, you're not discipling people. - Nona Jones Click To Tweet If your mission is to fill buildings, then keep going with your strategy. But if your mission is to reach people, it might be time to rethink things. @cnieuwhof Click To Tweet It doesn't take a leader to stop doing what's failed. But great leaders will find the courage to stop doing what's merely good to embrace what could be great. @cnieuwhof Click To TweetRead or Download the Transcript for Episode 351
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Read or download a free PDF transcript of this episode here.
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Next Episode: Levi and Jennie Lusko Plus Albert Tate and Nicole Martin
Levi and Jennie Lusko can tell you firsthand about the backlash they received when they decided to take a stand for racial reconciliation. Levi talks about the moment he realized the stage he preaches from was used for a KKK rally in the early 20th Century. Then, Albert Tate and Nicole Martin join the conversation for an open, honest discussion about how race is still a factor in their lives and ministry, and what white leaders can do about it.
Subscribe for free now so you won’t miss Episode 352.
