reaching individuals in a social media age: a resource for the catholic church
TRANSCRIPT
REACHING INDIVIDUALSin a Social Media Age
based on theory by Barry Vackerpresentation by Angela Santana
A RESOURCE FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
How do we reach people with our Message?
As Church, we have the same problem today as the disciples did nearly 2000 years ago:
Social media are permeating society:
Today, however, the problem has become more refined.
940 MILLIONindividuals worldwide use social networking websites†
60% OF TIMEusing a mobile phone is spent on social networking*
† According to a study by InSites, March 22, 2010*U.S. mobile subscribers. According to a study by Ground Truth, week ending April 4, 2010
how can we reach more individuals for the Catholic Church?
IN THIS “SOCIAL MEDIA AGE,”
TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION,we need to focus on how social media
have affected individuals
CULTURALLY.
In his work,
GLOBAL VILLAGE OR WORLD BAZAAR?
communications theorist Barry Vacker suggests...
INFORMATION REVOLUTIONS,like the widespread use of the Internet, lead to...
CULTURAL REVOLUTIONSat the levels of individual, group, and nation-state.
Living in a social media age has affected individuals.
IN OTHER WORDS:
INDIVIDUALS TODAYsend and receive an unprecedented amount of information, via
text / images / video / audio
INDIVIDUALS TODAYuse these media to interact with an unprecedented amount of people, from many different backgrounds:
religious / cultural / economic / educational / psychological / emotional
THAT MEANSpeople are constantly interactingwith others who are similar to or different from them,gathering new, countless perspectives on...
religion / God / forgiveness
Jesus / ethics / sin / Catholicism
abortion / euthanasia / contraception
Vatican / capital punishment / love / war
Virgin Mary / marriage / family / femininity
in vitro fertilization / justice / masculinity
hell / heaven / purgatory / Bible / baptism/ faith
Eucharist / apostolic succession / saints / demons
occult / prayer / resurrection /
etc.
WITH SO MANY PERSPECTIVES,people are forced to
decide for themselves:
WHAT’S RIGHTwhat’s wrong
WHAT’S TRUEwhat’s false
CONVERSATIONS
BUT THESE DECISIONS ARE HAPPENING IN THE CONTEXT OF
CONVERSATIONS
BUT THESE DECISIONS ARE HAPPENING IN THE CONTEXT OF
via text / images / video / audio
the Church must have representatives engaging in conversations.
In order to reach individuals,
ANDsince today’s individuals are not only listeners but also voices,
Church representatives need totake time to
LISTEN.
Listening is imperative.
Don’t publish a video or start a blogor create a Facebook pageif you aren’t willing to listen.
NEXT,
More peoplewith more opinions means
MORE DEBATE.
The Church must realisticallyanticipate debaterather than avoid it.
Anticipate debate.Listen,and respond.
Post thoughtful video responses,frequently asked questions,or a blog response
BUT BEAR IN MIND:
Response is part of conversation,not the end of the conversation.
remember:
SO, WHEN USING NEW MEDIA TO REACH INDIVIDUALS FOR THE CHURCH,
There are a lot of conversations out there.
The Church has to engage
viaDIGGYOUTUBETWITTERFACEBOOK etc
anticipate debate
listen
respond
and never stop conversing
or valuing each individual
as a decision-maker
who is inundated with ideas
and searching for Truth.