This document provides guidance for church staff on using social media. It recommends being active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ to connect with church members, community leaders, and peers. It notes that Grace Hills Church grew from two couples with no traditional advertising to 176 people by using Facebook, word-of-mouth, and search engines. Therefore, the document states that social media is essential ministry rather than an optional activity. It provides tips for staff on how to form connections, establish their personal brand, and promote their church online through sharing content and building their audience.

1. A Basic Guide to Using Social Media
For a Church Staff Member

2. The Basics...
Be on Facebook to connect with friends, family, neighbors, and church
members. It’s the single greatest tool currently available for church
communication, within the body and to the masses.
Be on Twitter to connect with people in the community and peers in your
area of ministry.
Be on LinkedIn to build a professional profile and contact database.
Be on Google+ because... you just may as well.
Instagram is a good addition also.

3. Grace Hills Is BIG on Social Media
We started with two couples (including the Cox’s). We spent $0 on
traditional advertising but had 35 at our first gathering in July of 2011.
We grew to approximately 80 within six months by word-of-mouth and
while spending $0 on traditional advertising.
We launched with 176 on our first Sunday, mostly gathered through
Facebook, word-of-mouth, and search engines.
Today, we’re the most “liked” church in northwest Arkansas and an
estimated 30% of our first time guests found us on the web.

4. Therefore...
You DO “have time for this.” It’s not a fun little bonus. It’s ministry.
You ARE expected to utilize social media in your ministry, though we do
not control how you use it personally.

5. Forming Connections
On Twitter, follow community leaders, other church leaders, and anyone
you know who has connected with Grace Hills somehow.
On Facebook, “friend” people who come to Grace Hills - the faithful as
well as new guests, volunteers in your area, fellow small group members,
etc.

6. Establishing a Personal Brand
People must trust a Christian before they can trust the gospel, so your
brand matters. It’s not about your ego. It’s about your witness.
Building your brand online is no longer optional for anyone hoping to have
an influence today and into the future.
We build an audience by what we write about and talk about online.
You have an open opportunity to write for gracehillschurch.com and
you’re encouraged to maintain a personal/professional independently.
As you read helpful content, share it and discuss it online.

7. Promoting Your Church Online
Make sure you “like” all pages and follow Twitter accounts associated with
Grace Hills and its staff members.
Our website is a constant stream of web-based content. This is very
intentional. It creates a flow of materials that can be shared by clicking a
social sharing button on the page.
‣ Daily devotionals
‣ Weekly sermon videos
‣ Announcements and news
‣ Stories
You should also be creating content by blogging or posting news to the
website related to your area of ministry.