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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    Social media—the perfect place to begin digital discipleship

    August 7, 2020 / By Lori Jagow, Pendleton Center UMC Online Minister

    Editor's Note: The Summer 2020 issue of the Advocate focuses on "Keeping Connected;" the issue focuses on stories similar to this. Be sure to click here to read the issue and learn about the many ways that the COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for churches across Upper New York to keep connected with their communities and congregations, and even expand their reach. 

    A wonderful example of tapping into the social media ecosystem started when a parishioner at Pendleton Center Church wrote a blog story about how God provided for her homeless ministry at a community fish fry.

    The blog was shared to Facebook where many people are looking for interesting content to read. A post was also made to Facebook and Instagram inviting people to come to a fish fry. During a Facebook livestream, the church gave away a few tickets to their fish fry dinners and more people joined in. Research shows that Facebook livestream attracts seven times more people than a pre-recorded video or a single post. People are looking for interaction.

    When people commented on the livestream, they had a chance of winning a ticket. Facebook algorithms let others who may have an interest in your event, know about it by putting it in their newsfeed. Then the church also placed a few inexpensive Facebook ads, did eblasts and community mailings. The result was that more than 13,000 people read the blog and more fish dinners were sold than ever before! 

    You might say that great social media was helpful in getting people to come to an event. We all can benefit from that, but what does it have to do with Digital Discipleship? My answer, everything.

    Once people have become engaged in your social media platforms, the potential is unlimited to invite them to the church be it online or in the building. This influence may take some time to grow, but it will be well worth the wait. 

    Each media platform can also be used to share information with another network and then point back to the originating network such as your website. Digital Discipleship is most effective when it begins with social media (where the people are) and drives traffic to your website. This compounding process will reach far more people than posting to your website alone. If you have a Bible study on your website, you can use social media to channel those who are interested to your website. Your website is your landing page.

    When it comes to digital ministry, the secret is not having expensive equipment or using a specific platform. No: it’s all about relationships. When you engage people in conversations, comment on photos, and chat in groups, they are helping grow the ministry. This integrated system is one of reaching people. To do this, we need to write about topics people are searching for. In other words: topics with search traffic potential.

    When social media is utilized the way it was intended, we will discover that this new ecosystem’s waters are so full of fish that our nets will nearly break once we cast into the deep. 


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."