It is not enough that you know how to use the internet.
Many church folks know enough to “get by” online. Maybe even enough to be dangerous.
But you also need to know how to communicate your church’s message using the internet.
For progressive churches, this is especially important.
Your audience is likely more hesitant about seeking out a faith community than other more conservative church’s guests might be.
You need to intentionally share your values through your web presence: your social media and your website.
Click here for the video version of this blog!
Here are four tips to get you started:
- Use Pronouns in Your Digital Ministry
Why Use Pronouns at All?
If you consider yourself a progressive Christian leader, you have likely shared your pronouns with someone in the past.
Most of us use pronouns in everyday speech:
When telling a story: “We started at her place and went from there.”
When introducing someone: “I met them in college.”
When discussing who owns something: “That’s his car.”
If your gender identity matches what most people would assume your identity is based on your appearance, you may have ever experienced someone using the wrong pronoun when referring to you. This is a type of privilege that not everyone experiences.
Asking for and utilizing someone’s proper pronouns, regardless of what you would assume they would be, shows respect for and acceptance of who they are.
Sharing pronouns regularly normalizes the process of asking for pronouns. This creates a more inclusive environment for those who may not use the pronoun others might assume they would use based on their appearance or name.
Pronouns in Digital Ministry
Now that we know why we might use pronouns, let’s talk about how to properly use them in your digital ministry.
First, your church website is a great place to include pronouns.
Anywhere you showcase people who function in regular roles at your church (staff, session, council, ministry leaders, etc.) is an opportunity to share the pronouns of those who are comfortable with their pronouns being displayed.
Next, anytime you or your church leader introduces themself is an opportunity to share pronouns.
You will have to gauge for yourself whether or not it makes sense to do this every week or in every communication. However, any time an introduction takes place is a chance to share how that person would prefer to be referred to.
Other places to showcase pronouns:
- Zoom names
- Personal social media bios
- Email signatures
- Printed communication
- During introductions when sharing in small groups
The more places you share your personal pronouns, the more it normalizes this for others. While not everyone will be comfortable doing so, others will slowly but surely get used to the process and jump on board.
This will not only make a world of difference for those who are often misgendered, but will indicate to LGBTQIA+ folks and allies that you are much more likely to be a safe and inclusive place for all.
2. Utilize Imagery Intentionally
Progressive churches often have particular values that can be communicated verbally (we’ll get to that) or through imagery.
Before we discuss how to share values through digital ministry, we’ve got an important disclaimer:
If you are intentionally communicating that you are a safe space for a certain group of people OR a community that cares for specific causes, be absolutely sure that you have done the work within your community before sharing this on your digital ministry platforms.
What does it mean to do the work?
Have the tough conversations with your people and ensure that a strong majority of the congregation is on board. If you are truly a safe place, your communication of this fact (through words or photos) should not be a contentious or unresolved issue.
This may take weeks, months, or – likely – years. However, to share that your community believes in certain values when they don’t can be severely damaging to those who trust your assertion.
What type of visuals can be shared?
If you are committed to anti-racism efforts, consider showcasing a Black Lives Matter symbol/flag or a particular book that can help others understand how to engage in faithful racial justice.
If you are committed to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, consider adding rainbow flags and emojis to your website and social media platforms.
If you are committed to interfaith relationship building, share photos of your people engaging with those who clearly do not look or worship like them.
If you are committed to making change in public policies that align with justice, love, and equal care for all people, share any related protests, banners, photos, or petitions that your community has been involved with.
The point is, don’t be shy.
Sharing these values visually helps others understand the ways you may be a safe community worth investigating.
Sprinkle them throughout your website and build them into your social media posting schedule.
3. Clearly Share Values
You can share your values through images, but you can also share them through text.
When you do, avoid dancing around issues as much as possible.
Be clear about what is important to your community (because, of course, you’ve done the work and the majority of them are in agreement that this is important – right?).
When you share what is important to your church through your digital ministry channels, be sure to also indicate why these values are important to you.
What about your faith makes you believe they are necessary?
And especially, what are you going to do about it?
If you haven’t yet started taking action towards improving whatever issues are important to your community, be sure to indicate who interested readers can speak to about starting to take action.
Your people will want the next step. And, ideally, it is one full of meaning and future action.
4. Rethink Commercial Holiday Posts
Faith leaders have been diving deep into the meaning of commercial holidays for decades.
It is not uncommon to hear a preacher musing about the origin of Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, or the fact that Jesus was not born on December 25th *gasp*.
Let’s push these inward musings to an outward expression though.
How will your church handle, respond to, or promote the annual holidays we encounter?
In the U.S. we are now regularly barraged with marketing advertisements from everything from Valentine’s Day to Independence Day.
Will your church also use these holidays as an opportunity for a post?
How will your community’s message differ from or echo what is already being said in the mainstream media?
Will you recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day – once Columbus Day?
Will you lift up non-Christian holy days?
Will you use these moments for education, well-wishes, or action?
And, most importantly in this case, does your message make it to the social media director?
As you can see, these sorts of decisions may take some time for contemplation. Unfortunately, many mainstream holidays have been commercialized. As a faith leader, you need to consider what the best use of your platform will be.
How can you lean away from the commercialized marketing and towards the marginalized ones you are called to outwardly care for and love.
Thinking twice before making your standard post on the next holiday may seem like a small move on your end. But to those looking for a more realistic, open-minded, or justice-oriented faith expression, it may quench a thirst they have been long-awaiting someone to notice.
Interested in more Digital Ministry tips for progressive Christ followers?