Course Curriculum

Social Media Fundamentals for Your Church & Ministry

6sections
37lectures
4h 5mtotal

What you’ll learn

  • 1. You will learn the fundamentals of social media communications and practical ways of using it to grow your ministry.

  • 2. You will learn how to structure your social media goals (with KPIs) and put together a team to accomplish those goals.

  • 3. You will learn how to organise your ministry resources and teaching material for social media.

  • 4. You will learn how to package your ministry content (existing and new) - video, audio and written content for social media.

  • 5. You will learn the basics of user-experience (UX) and Usability to help you make your online presence effective - website and apps.

  • 6. You will learn how to create social media campaigns and a social media calendar every month.

  • 7. You will learn how to promote your social media content overcoming existing 'noise' and 'content-overload' on social media.

  • 8. You will learn how to track what is working for you and measure the results of your social media posts and campaigns.

  • 9. You will have access to worksheets and additional resources.

  • 10. You will get introduced to 'The Connected Church Communication Model' with its 4 components.

  • 11. At the end of the course, you will understand how to implement this model in your ministry with all the 4-components being functional.

  • 12. You will learn how to use the 6-step S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework to implement the communication model.

  • 13. You will learn about some of the future trends and how to future-proof your ministry.

  • 14. At the end of the course, you will understand how social media works and have the confidence to use it for your ministry growth.

01

Welcome & Introduction

2 lectures • 6min

  • Welcome and Course Introduction

    Welcome! In this lesson, I personally welcome you to the course and give you a quick overview of each module and what we will cover. This will help you understand the overall structure of the course.

    2:43

  • How to get the best of out of this course

    In this lesson, I give you some tips on how to get the best out of this course as you work through each module (by yourself or with your team). I also talk about some of the additional support material that are available to you and how to access them.

    3:25
02

Church & Social Media's Importance

7 lectures • 47min

  • Introduction to Module 2

    In this lesson, I introduce you to the second module by sharing a personal experience that became a turning point in my career as a marketer and communicator. At the end of this lesson, you will understand how the 'source' of influence has changed and why, today, it is critical for churches and ministries to understand this change and embrace social media and digital communications.

    11:24

  • The Evolution of The Communication Model

    In this lesson, I help you understand how the classic communication model has evolved to what it is today, thanks to technology and social media. At the end of this lesson, you will understand each component of the model (sender, receiver, message, medium, feedback and noise) and how they have evolved.

    4:05

  • Understanding the evolution of a new type of Audience on Social Media

    In this lesson, I introduce you to a new type of audience that the church is encountering today - The Connected Audience. I also talk about the 5 main types of audience so that you can understand this new breed of audience and how they are different from the types of audience that you and me are used to, as a ministry.

    6:12

  • The Connected Audience - Growth Trends

    In this lesson, I go a bit deeper into the 5 types of audience and show you how the proportion of each audience is changing. We start noticing a trend of growth in the connected and online audience. The growth rate of technology-driven audience will be much higher than the growth rate of the traditional audience that the church is used to.

    2:15

  • The Connected Audience - Characteristics

    In this lesson, I will help you understand the characteristics of the connected audience. You will learn how they think, behave and consume information.

    5:05

  • Is the Bible Message Suitable for Social Media?

    In this lesson, we look at the big question that many ministers have in their mind. I will help you understand why the Bible message is suitable and in fact, is more suitable than the most other types of messages for the internet and social media. You may be surprised about some of the points that we discuss in this lesson!

    7:25

  • The Great Commission & the Role of Social Media

    In this lesson, we look at the Great Commission from Matthew 8:18 and talk about how you and me, as the member of the body of christ, who have been given the assignment of preaching the Gospel to people, can accomplish this assignment using technology and social media. This is a big and final reason why we should consider using social media as an integral part of our ministries.

    10:28
03

The Communication Model

6 lectures • 57min

  • Introduction to Module 3

    In this lesson, I introduce you to the third module. This module is the heart of this course. This module talks about the 'Connected Church Communication Model' and its four components. Implementing these 4 components in your ministry is the end objective of this course, that is why I call this module the 'heart of this course'.

    3:48

  • Communication Lessons from the Early Church

    In this lesson, to understand the impact of implementing this communication model, we look at the early church and try to learn a few important lessons from the way they operated. I will also show you how implementing this communication model can have a greater impact within the Body of Christ.

    12:54

  • PART 1 of the Communication Model - The Core

    In this lesson, we look at the first component of the communication model - The Core , which is the WHY of your social media ministry. In this lesson: I introduce the first component of the model I give practical tips on working through this module effectively I give a list of practical questions to help you think through and come up with your core purpose statement for your social media ministry Additional resources & documents for this Lesson: 1. Communication Model Worksheet - A PDF document which we will use throughout this course to document details about all the 4 components. BONUS TIP: I suggest you maintain 2 copies of this document (printed out or as soft copy). You can use one copy to document your thoughts at the early stage as we go through various modules. And use the other copy after we finish module 4. Because module 4, which is the implementation framework, will give you much more clarity on the practical aspects of implementing each component of this model. 2. Sample Purpose Statements - A PDF document with sample core purpose statements for your reference.

    8:40

  • PART 2 of the Communication Model - The Community

    In this lesson, we look at the second component of the communication model - The Community , which is the WHO of your social media ministry. In this lesson: I introduce this component of the model I give practical tips for two types of ministries Established ministries that have been around for a while New ministries that are just starting up I give a list of practical questions & techniques (like profiling) to help you think through, identify and understand who you are called to minister to on social media Additional resources & documents for this Lesson: 1. Communication Model Worksheet - You can use the same worksheet you downloaded in Lesson 12 to document details about the 'Community' component of the communication model

    14:14

  • PART 3 of the Communication Model - The Content

    In this lesson, we look at the third component of the communication model - The Content , which is the WHAT of your social media ministry. In this lesson: I introduce this component of the model I give you practical tips for the various type of content that you can create I give you a list of practical questions to help you think through, identify and understand the type of content you need to minister to people on social media Additional resources & documents for this Lesson: 1. Communication Model Worksheet - You can use the same worksheet you downloaded in Lesson 12 to document details about the 'Content' component of the communication model

    7:34

  • PART 4 of the Communication Model - The Channel

    In this lesson, we look at the fourth and final component of the communication model - The Channel , which is the HOW of your social media ministry. In this lesson: I introduce this component of the model I give you practical tips on choosing the right channel and how they are the most flexible of all the 4 components of the communication model I give you a list of practical questions and techniques (like a channel survey) to help you think through and identify the set of channels that you can use for your social media ministry Additional resources & documents for this Lesson: 1. Communication Model Worksheet - You can use the same worksheet you downloaded in Lesson 12 to document details about the 'Channel' component of the communication model

    9:32
04

The Implementation Framework

14 lectures • 1hr 47min

  • Introduction to Module 4

    In this lesson, you will get introduced to the fourth module and a few important tips.

    2:13

  • STEP 1 of The S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Structuring

    The S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework is designed to help you go through 6 steps and in the process, implement the 4 components of the 'connected church communication model' that we discussed in the earlier module. In this lesson: You will get introduced to the first step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Structuring You will understand the importance of structuring

    2:32

  • Structuring Your Goals

    In this lesson, you will: Learn how to structure goals Learn how to connect core purpose, communities and goals Learn how to add a timeline to the goals Learn what a KPI is and how to use it to accomplish your goals Learn how to set a timeframe for reviews Get some practical tips about goal-setting for a church or ministry, which is very different to the goal-setting approach of a business or a commercial organisation Downloads & Additional Resources: 1. Structured Goal Sheet Document (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson

    11:00

  • Structuring Your Team

    In this lesson, you will: Learn how to structure your team Learn about the various skill sets required for social media Get practical tips on structuring a social media team Tips for individuals in ministry Tips for larger organisations with a team How to get access to all the skillsets required for social media Downloads & Additional Resources: Downloads Social Media Tool & Apps (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson Links Resources Page - Click the Link in the Links Section Community Page - Click the Link in the Links Section Join our closed Facebook Group, where you can interact with other students, watch our live video with tips and tricks, have Natchi answer your questions and learn from other churches & ministries. Note: This is a closed, invite-only group. So you will be asked for your email while joining the group, please provide the email id that you use to access this course. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for our support team to accept you into the group, if it takes longer than that, do reach out to us at [email protected] and let us know. Thank you.

    13:49

  • Structuring Your Source Material

    In this lesson, you will learn: How to structure your source material Taking stock of the available content Organising existing material Optimising the content for social media Backup strategy for your content

    4:55

  • Structuring Your Presence

    In this lesson, you will learn: Basics of structuring your online presence Importance of structuring your online presence Practical tips when your structure your online presence - the user-experience and the audience-first approach

    6:50

  • STEP 2 of The S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Packaging

    In this lesson: You will get introduced to the second step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Packaging You will understand the importance of packaging You will learn about the two types of content that needs to be packaged You will learn about the two approaches to packaging your content

    8:01

  • Packaging & Social Media Audience Behaviour

    In this lesson, you will learn About 'Social Media Audience Behaviour' How 'Social Media Audience Behaviour' influences content packaging

    4:09

  • Packaging & Social Media Audience Funnel

    In this lesson: You will get introduced to social media audience funnel You will understand how it impacts content packaging

    9:15

  • STEP 3 of The S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Integrating

    In this lesson: You will get introduced to the third step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Integrating You will understand the importance of integration You will get practical tips on integration

    4:52

  • STEP 4 of The S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Releasing

    In this lesson: You will get introduced to the fourth step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Releasing You will get practical tips on release strategy for your social media ministry You will get introduced to a campaign-based approach Downloads & Additional Resources: Downloads: Sample Campaign Planning Document (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson Sample Calendar (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson

    8:34

  • STEP 5 of The S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Igniting

    In this lesson: You will get introduced to the fifth step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Igniting You will get practical tips for ignition strategy List of triggers

    11:21

  • STEP 6 of The S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Tracking

    In this lesson: You will get introduced to the sixth step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Tracking You will get practical tips on measurement and tracking You will learn what to track and measure on social media

    8:02

  • Tracking with Google Analytics - A Demo

    In this lesson: You will get a demo of Google Analytics and how to use it to measure the 3 important things about your ministry How people found you online How people interact with you How and whether people take an action you want them to take Downloads & Additional Resources: Downloads Useful Google Analytics Resources (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson Links Setting up Google Analytics Tracking code (see the links section) Setting up goals in Google Analytics (see the links section) Google Analytics Academy (see the links section)

    11:41
05

Church & Future Trends

5 lectures • 21min

  • Introduction to Module 5

    In this lesson: You will get an introduction to module 5 We look at the importance of being prepared for the future How preparing for the future is what God wants for us

    2:11

  • Behavioural Trends: Attention & Influence

    In this lesson: You will learn about Attention & Influence as part of the Behavioural Trends You will learn about the challenges in getting people's attention in this digital era You will be challenged to think about how you are going to influence the coming generation Additional Reading - Links: Humans have shorter attention span than goldfish (see links section) As Attention Spans Get Shorter, Content Gets Even Shorter (see links section)

    5:35

  • Technology Trends: Connectivity & Internet of Things

    In this lesson: You will learn about Connectivity Trends You will learn about IOT - Internet of Things Additional Reading - Links: World Economic Forum Reports (see links section) Global Internet Connectivity (see links section) Internet of Things (see links section)

    3:53

  • Technology Trends: eMoney, Security & Language

    In this lesson: You will learn about the future of Electronic Money - blockchain based finances, etc. You will learn about security and cyber protection You will learn about translation and other interesting language based technology You will learn about self-driving cars and transportation technology trends

    5:34

  • Technology Trends: Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR)

    Technology Trends: Virtual Reality (VR) & AR In this lesson: You will learn about Virtual Reality (VR) You will learn about Pokemon You will learn about Augmented Reality (AR) Additional Reading - Links: What is Augmented Reality (see links section) Facebook's Virtual Reality Research (see links section) How Virtual Reality Facilitates Social Connection (see links section) Microsoft's Windows Mixed Reality (see links section)

    3:22
06

Future-proofing & Next Steps

3 lectures • 8min

  • Introduction to Module 6

    In this lesson: You will get an introduction to Module 6 What we will cover Introduction to future proofing

    1:23

  • Future Proofing Your Ministry

    In this lesson: You will learn about future proofing your ministry The importance of staying future ready Internal strategies that work

    5:27

  • Next Steps

    Congratulations on completing this course and taking the first steps towards social media success for your ministry. Here are the 2 next steps: Before I go to the next steps, I want to reiterate the importance of continuing the work you have started here and continuing to create useful content for your social media audience and serving them. Step 1: Join our Facebook Group (see links section) This will help you stay connected with the community. You can ask questions, learn from others and also get access to content that we will make available in this group, in the days to come. Step 2: Stay in touch with me  (see links section) For most ministries this course and the additional resources listed is sufficient to get things going, but if you need a more customise help, you can always reach out to me by clicking here and I will be happy to jump on a call. Finally, do not stop learning. Social media is an ever-changing field, so keep learning new techniques and methods so that you can use this powerful tool to serve many more people in the days to come. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need any help. Stay connected. Stay blessed.

    0:49