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Does your church have a digital advocate?
For years, churches have frequently appointed a missions advocate (by whatever name) to be a channel for information and challenge to the fellowship about worldwide missions. Coordinators for other areas of ministry are also commonplace.
There is now surely the same opportunity for churches to appoint someone to be the church advocate for the use of digital media in evangelism and discipleship.
Mavens needed?
Such a person would obviously need to be a web maven – a networker who knows a wide variety of online Christian resources/strategies and loves sharing them. They might function like this:
- be available to consult about ideas and resources
- write about digital opportunities and resources in the church newsletter
- share resources in a short focus spot from time to time during meetings
- explain how church members can use Facebook effectively, especially in relation to sharing the good news appropriately, including how to use the video-clip sharing resource YesHEIs.com
- encourage people to load online bibles and other resources on their smartphones
- suggest to those with the appropriate gifts that they consider volunteering as e-mentors with big outreach teams such as TruthMedia.com and GMO
- point people to, for example, the best online study or youth discipleship resources
- help the leadership team consider ways the fellowship can develop online strategies
This is a role very distinct from that of an existing missions coordinator or church webmaster, and there should be no automatic assumption that this is something extra that should be placed on them.
A digital advocate should surely not be perceived as a representative for a single website or organization. However, if you produce web content, then it this is surely an ideal opportunity to increase your effectiveness. You could ask your friends and supporters to consider the potential to become an advocate in their own churches, with your content as one of the many resources they might highlight.
Your say
Has your church already recognized such a person?
If so, what title have you given him or her?
How does it work in practice?
Or do you think this is a useful concept to consider?
And do you have suggestions for a meaningful title for this vital role?
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Sad to say that my church will very slowly adapt to the digital age, if at all.
Our pastor has stood at the front and publically stated that he doesn’t get Facebook – despite my already sharing how best the church could utilise it. And what makes it worse is that I get it and I’m older than he is!
Our church has adopted the digital advocate concept. Fortunately the pastor was the first one on board. It is not something that seems to be intriguing to the congregation but they are a little apprehensive to embrace fully. The pastor still continues to forge ahead. BTW, I am the pastor and have been for the last 18 years.
Digital Advocate is a good term. Essentially a servant and evangelist with specialities in tech,
Love the points here, makes for a solid job description and list of expectations all around.
[...] Some of us in digital ministry are discussing how incredibly strategic it might be for local churches to appoint a ‘digital advocate’. Just like the ‘missions advocate’ (by whatever name) in many churches, he or she obviously need to be a web maven – a networker who knows a wide variety of online Christian resources/strategies and loves sharing them. Does your church already have such a person? Would you like to have one? What name would you give to this role? Read more and add your comments. [...]
It really awesome to get in touch with our Savior Lord Jesus!!!
I’ve been the Communications Director for my church for about 4-5 years, then transitioned out of the paid role but continued maintaining the website and church newsletter as my volunteer duties. Even a Facebook page for a brief online presence for the youth group. I like the title you have come up with for the leader in this role.
The pastor is very anti-texting and Facebook but about 75% of the congregation are already friends with each other and very active on FB. There is constant desire for greater online presence that would set the church apart and be more inviting and reflective of our values but finances are always an issue.
Tony,
Good concept. The only examples I’ve seen are larger churches who have hired staff to specialize in a media related role and who understand the digital world that comes with it. This model is limited to a very few churches able to afford the model (it appears Kathy’s church stopped funding the position).
I’ll be honest, though I’m reasonably tech savvy, it becomes an issue of time. So, I hired a 17 year old friend of my son for 4-5 hours / week at $10/hour to take on certain responsibilities for VSN in this domain. It’s working quite well actually.