This document discusses the pitfalls and possibilities of social media for faith communities. It begins with an introduction by Bruce Reyes-Chow and provides an overview of assumptions about social media. It then explores both the potential pitfalls of social media like it becoming an idol or distraction, and the possibilities like building community and modeling faith. The document reviews popular social media platforms and terms, recommends six major networks, and suggests four healthy parental postures around social media use. It concludes with inviting questions and responses.

1. The Pitfalls and Possibilities of
Social Media in the Life of Faith
Burlingame Presbyterian Church
Bruce Reyes-Chow
@breyeschow on twitter, instagram, etc.
www.slideshare.net/breyeschow
www.slideshare.net/breyeschow
www.slideshare.net/breyeschow
www.slideshare.net/breyeschow
www.slideshare.net/breyeschow
www.slideshare.net/breyeschow

2. @BREYESCHOW
Social Media Revolution 20
SMR on YoutubeQuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

3. @BREYESCHOW
you won’t keep
up

4. @BREYESCHOW
Why Bother?
Genesis 18 -- Will a son be
born to a man 100 years old
and a woman the age of 90?
God asks that we give the best
of what we have in order to
participate in the unfolding of
God’s realities in the world.
GOD IS NOT DONE WITH US!
Gladys Burrill, 92
2011 Honolulu Marathon
Photo: AP

5. @BREYESCHOW
Road Map
Introductions
Assumptions
Pitfalls, Possibilities and Postures
Terms and Platforms
Six Networks You Should Know
Four Parental Postures to Build
Q&R Photo by allisonhare
FB GROUP: http://bit.ly/brc-sm-church
SLIDES: www.slideshare.net/breyeschow

6. @BREYESCHOW
Who is Bruce?

7. @BREYESCHOW
Who are you?
Age groups: elementary, middle school, high school, college
What social network/s are uses the most?

8. @BREYESCHOWhttp://dustn.tv/user-stats-2013/

9. @BREYESCHOW
SM Assumptions
Social Media is only another medium of
communication and expression;
Social Media is generational air and
gives insight into a particular worldview;
Social Media is highly contextually and
it will be embraced at various degrees;
Social Media demands a high sense of
self-worth as it has a flattening effect on
community and leadership;
Social Media will not save [insert org]

10. @BREYESCHOW
Social Media Pitfalls
SM as idol, savior or quick fix
SM as distraction
SM as careless expression
SM as overestimated ROI
SM as echo chamber
SM as over-and-above F2F
SM as an entry to bullying and
unwanted contact
Photo by amagill

11. @BREYESCHOW
Social Media
PossibilitiesSM can build up and
strengthen the Body of Christ
SM allows the church to model
a different way of living
SM compels the church to see
the world beyond its bubble
SM liberates faithful expression
of creativity and creation
SM provides accountability
SM offers a place of communal
care and spiritual renewalPhoto by Kalexanderson

12. @BREYESCHOW
Social Media
Posturesbe with people: tinker with the betas,
but join in where folks are already
be you: appropriate, honest,
consistent just as you would be in
real life (IRL)
be interactive: engage, comment,
respond, inquire, link and like
be mindful: Most people lurk and
observe without ever interacting.
be humble/bold: don’t underestimate
the influence of your thinking, but
avoid delusions of grandeur
be npr: earn the right to be heard.PHOTO by jackheart

13. @BREYESCHOW

14. @BREYESCHOW
Smarty Pants Terms
apps, smart phones, tablets, oh my
Traditional Media v. Social Media
Web 1.0 v. Web 2.0
Social Networking
Open Source Software
Cloud Technology
weB+logs = Blogs, vLogs
feeds, aggregators and readers
tagging and #hashtags
Checking In
QRCode

15. @BREYESCHOW
Social Media
PlatformsGoogle: gmail, gcal, hangout, drive
Blogging: typepad, wordpress,
blogger, tumblr, google
Networks: twitter, google+, askfm,
facebook, linkedin, nextdoor, reddit
Media: last.fm, goodreads, pandora,
spotify, iheartradio
Photo: instagram, flickr, smugmug,
Video: vimeo, youtube, huddle, vine
Texting: Groupme, Kik, Snapchat

16. @BREYESCHOW
Social Media
PlatformsGroup Calling: skype, hangout,
facetime, gotomeeting,
Productivity: dropbox, slideshare,
doodle, wufoo, evernote
Reviews: yelp, amazon, foursquare,
google, miso, tvtag, google
eNewsletters: madmimi, mailchimp,
constant contact
Location: foursquare, yelp, facebook
Curating: pinterest, scoop.it, storify,
buffer, hootsuite, feedspot

17. @BREYESCHOW
Six You Should
KnowTWITTER
YOUTUBE
SNAPCHAT
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
ASKFM

18. @BREYESCHOW
Four Household
Postures
RESTRAINT
honor the networks in which they
have given you access to be present
OPENNESS
screen time in public spaces
SABBATH
unplugging in the evening
MENTORS
trusted adult in networks
Healthy parental social media postures must be built on an
overall relationship of trust, encouragement and boundaries.

19. @BREYESCHOW
Q&R
question and
responsequestions
thoughts
comments
comments

20. THANKS FOR
COMING
@breyeschow on slideshare and
most social networks
“Definitive-ish” ebook
“Definitive-ish” google+ group
“Definitive-ish” google+ group
“Definitive-ish” google+ group