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Social Media gives us an opportunity to obey the Great Commission – after all, are
we sending out Missionaries anymore? I wish we were, but we are not at the
moment – and for obvious reasons. This does not stop us, however, from sharing

the Gospel far and wide in a form that is…

Accessible
The Internet makes access available from any part of the World that has, well, the
Internet! It also allows the church to be ‘open’ 24/7. Do people need to come into
church locations to learn about the Good News of Jesus Christ. Most assuredly not!
This is why we share our Services and Sermons online. Having them in YouTube as
a permanent ‘Library’ of resources means we can preach it once and benefit from it
time and time again. Everything we record becomes an asset.

Culture
We have a beautiful vestibule and a very attractive set of front doors, I’m sure you’ll
agree. The fact is, though, that the first encounter many people will have with our
church is via the Digital Front Door and Vestibule. They will check us out online first.
If we are to grown, laying out the Welcome Mat of a good online presence is very
important.

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube – What’s the difference?
Instagram is most definitely a visual platform. It’s ideal for sharing church photos and
videos less than a minute long. It is owned by Facebook, so they work well together.

Twitter is limited to 280 characters in a short, text message or ‘Tweet’. It’s great for
sharing up-to-the-minute reporting. Social Activists, which I would say we are, can
use it to mobilise rapid support. For example BCP are using it during the cold spell to
highlight the availability of shelter for those sleeping rough.

Facebook sees itself as ‘The’ Social Network. With Groups, Pages, Events – all
running alongside great photography and videographic hosting – it’s a multimedia
publishing platform ideal for building ‘tribes’.

YouTube has a much longer-term value to churches. It is designed for Content
Creators such as Teachers and other Educationalists, as well as makers of films,
documentaries, vlogs, and other forms of entertainment. For many, watching
YouTube has become more popular than watching traditional television.

In conclusion, YouTube to teach the tribe, Facebook and Instagram to inform and
connect the tribe, and Twitter to update the tribe in a more urgent but fleeting
manner.

As a result of our activities, we now have Global presence with views from all over
the world. Those who control the media, influence all who are watching. Now, if we
could only raise funds from this… but that’s another story.

Finding us is easy:
https://twitter.com/swanageurc
https://www.instagram.com/swanageurc/
https://www.facebook.com/swanageurc
https://www.youtube.com/@swanageurc Lex McKee

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