Out of the Box Worship Center in Hillsville, VA is a non-traditional United Methodist small town church that is gaining attention for its dramatic social media driven growth. Launched in January 2011 as an extension of First United Methodist Church of Hillsville, VA, the new church start has grown enough to need two services in their 180 seat worship center.
So What?
Out of the Box’s pastor, Ronnie G. Collins, stated, “When the church first started, we placed one full-page ad in the local newspaper, but every last bit of promotion other than that was on Facebook, Twitter and blogs. All of our advertising was done virtually cost-free.” Now he connects with thousands via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs (especially his blog and the church’s blog). Collins does this because social media is where people go today to hang out and because he seeks to emulate Jesus who “hung out where the people were.”
- How has your congregation used social media as a supplement to or a replacement for traditional advertising? How successful have these efforts been?
- In your congregation, what department, ministry, project or other aspect of church life would benefit most from giving more attention to utilizing social media? How can this entity be empowered to do so?