Arbitron and Edison Research have conducted an annual survey focusing on trends in digital platforms since 1988. The 2011 report shows that the majority of Americans aged 12 and older now use Facebook. In three years the percentage of people using Facebook has risen from 8% to 51%.So What?
Churches are also getting more involved on Facebook. According to LifeWay Research roughly half (47%) of all congregations now have a presence on Facebook. Creating a Facebook presence is typically one of the first steps congregations take when entering into the world of social media. For those who are just getting started, the following resources may give you a better understanding of why your parish should have a social media presence and what that may look like:
Consider this trend on a personal and congregational level:
- In what year did you begin using Facebook? In what year did your congregation establish a presence on Facebook?
- How do you currently use Facebook for ministry? How does your congregation?
- How would you characterize your overall involvement in social media for ministry? that of your congregation?