other social media platforms and tools
What's Not Here
Below, you'll find brief introductions to Discord, Twitch, Instagram and Facebook. There are countless other platforms with potential for use in ministry! This project does not cover workflow programs such as Basecamp, for example, which can be an excellent tool for collaboration. I also do not discuss Google Meet, which several organizations are using as an alternative to Zoom. This website will continue to develop after my defense on April 15, 2024. If there are topics you want to make sure are covered here, please contact me to let me know!
If you're interested in social media, in particular, check out my webinar on social media with the Rev. Derek Terry of the Open and Affirming Coalition or join me Thursday at the 2024 Southwest Conference Annual Meeting (online or in person!) to learn more about how to use video and social media in ministry.
I also highly recommend the How to Do Digital Ministry web series from the Rev. Jim Keat, which includes 37 videos on digital ministry, including topics not covered in this portfolio like Substack and Twitter.
What is Discord and Why Churches Should Use It
Discord is one of the leading social media platforms! Initially used by "gamers," it's expanded as one of the most flexible and compelling tools for building community. The linked video, "What Is Discord and Why Should Every Church Use It?" features Pastor Nathan Webb of Checkpoint Church, whose ministry thrives on Discord. Check it out - it's excellent!
Discord Features:
- Chat, media and file sharing
- Voice calls, video calls, and meeting capacity (like Zoom)
- "Servers" - Unlike Facebook or Instagram, which are organized into one long feed, Discord is organized into communities called "servers." Users can set their server to public or private.
- "Channels" - On each server, there are channels dedicated to specific topics. For example - Bible study, art, theology questions, music chat. This allows focused discussion to happen. You can also create private channels for leadership, for example.
Discord is like a mix of a chat room, message board, meeting space, and social media hangout spot. It's a versatile platform with a proven history of facilitating communication and building community.
Twitch and Its Potential for Decolonial Ministry
Twitch is another live-streaming platform that started with gamers but has potential for digital ministry.
Twitch Features:
- Live Streaming: Twitch allows users to host live broadcasts. Streamers play games in real time while interacting with viewers through chat. In this way, it’s similar to TikTok Live—the difference is that the people streaming are typically playing a video game, and people can watch as they play.
- Game focus: This is a particularly good platform if you are trying to build a community with people who play online games.
- More Than Just Games: The platform is expanding to include creative content like music, art creation, and talk shows. There's even a category for "in real life" streams, where people broadcast their daily activities (much like TikTok Live).
- Interaction: A draw of Twitch is the interaction possible in chat. Viewers can comment, ask questions, and interact with other users in real-time. Like TikTok Live, this has potential for community-building.
- Subscriptions: You can join Twitch for free, but you can also subscribe to individual accounts for a monthly fee. Subscribing unlocks ad-free viewing, exclusive “stickers" and other bonuses to subscribers. This opens possibilities for creators to monetize their channels.
- Gifts: Streamers can accept gifts, including gifts for non-profits. Users can host fundraisers for causes they care about.
Imagine Twitch like a giant arcade merged with a live chat room. It's a place to watch other people play games, connect with other people, and be entertained by creative people.
Facebook - The Go-To for Networking
Facebook is an incredibly popular social media platform where many church members are already interacting with friends and organizations. Its major drawbacks are its unpopularity with younger users and its potential privacy concerns.
Features:
- Private and group chats
- File and media sharing
- Private and public groups where people can collaborate on projects
- Group chats, which facilitate more collaboration and keep youth safe (you can avoid one-on-one conversations over chat with youth)
- Quality video and phone calling
- Options to create personal and organizational pages
- Relatively affordable ads let you target your desired audience
Facebook enables users to stay connected to affinity groups and share information with the public or with a select group of people. It is now the largest social media network in the world.
Instagram is like a digital scrapbook crossed with a bulletin board you can access from anywhere with a smartphone. One of its drawbacks is that it's designed to be used on mobile devices, so it’s less accessible for computer users.
Instagram Features:
- Photo and Video focus: Instagram centers images. Businesses and individuals can share still images or “Reels,” which are short-form videos similar to TikTok. Unlike TikTok videos, which can be up to 10 minutes for some users, Instagram Reels must be under 90 seconds.
- Users can “share” videos with friends and “follow” accounts they like.
- Users can interact with others through comments on posts or via direct messages.
- Filters: Instagram is known for its photo filters. This can make your images pop, but it's also one of the biggest critiques of Instagram - it creates unrealistic images that have the potential to make body image issues worse, especially for younger users.
- Advanced Features: Users with large followings can monetize their accounts and live stream.
Instagram has the potential for decolonial ministry; however, its focus on image makes it a potentially less effective platform for ministries that value authenticity.