The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News in New Ways - Softcover

Gould, Meredith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 081463558X ISBN 13: 9780814635582

Publisher: Liturgical Press, 2013

Synopsis

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and a growing number of other social media tools can help you build church, deepen faith, and extend your reach in previously unimaginable ways. In this easy-to-understand, step-by-step guide to digital ministry, church communications professional Meredith Gould goes beyond “how to” and explains “why to” engage your parish in the world of social media.

Social media tools make it possible to share conversations and content with the long-time faithful, disaffected millennials, the homebound, and spiritual seekers within and beyond church-the-building.Inspired by the Gospel and centered on Christ, The Social Media Gospel gently guides you and your church leaders and volunteers through the rapidly changing world of social media, helping you preach the Good News in new ways.

About this title

About the Author

Meredith Gould, PhD, is a sociologist, longtime spiritual seeker, online community manager, and digital communications professional. Her consulting experience spans all levels of church across denominations. Dr. Gould is nationally known as a passionate advocate of using digital tools for ministry and to encourage practical spirituality. Learn more at www.meredithgould.com.

Review

"I've continually looked to Meredith Gould as a role model for how to get Church social media 'right.' Packed with style, substance and spirit, The Social Media Gospel is the perfect primer for anyone looking to optimize their social media presence for evangelization, communication and community building. Meredith's advice is clear enough for the novice while challenging for those who have used these tools in the past."

--Lisa M. Hendey, Founder of CatholicMom.com and author of A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms

"For years, Meredith Gould guided and mentored me as I navigated social media. She has consistently modeled spiritual discipline, pastoral care and community building on Twitter. Now Meredith has taken her innovative practice along with our historic wisdom and distilled it. For those beginning to explore new technologies, those regularly engaging with social media, or for anyone who wants to communicate the good news to a new generation The Social Media Gospel is crucial."

--Carol Howard Merritt, author of Tribal Church and Reframing Hope

"Meredith Gould has poured her training as a sociologist, experience as a magazine writer, omnivorous appetite for social media and passion for the Gospel into a book that should appeal to just about anyone who thinks about digital ministry. Scholars will appreciate her grasp of research, practitioners will value her insights about choosing social media, and newcomers will be reassured by a comprehensive discussion of issues that arise when one becomes active in the online world. The Social Media Gospel is a valuable contribution from one of the best known thinkers in the field."

--Jim Naughton, editor of Episcopal Cafe and co-author of Speaking Faithfully: Communications as Evangelism in a Noisy World

"Meredith Gould makes it clear: Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for proclaiming the message of the gospel. We ignore it at our peril. For those who want a primer, this book lays out a plan for setting up a social media strategy in ministry."

--The Reverend Michael W. Rinehart, bishop, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

"In the world of social media where so many proclaim themselves as "how to" gurus, Meredith Gould breaks through the clutter and jargon. She uses simple language to help churches and pastors understand why social media is important and how to effectively use it as a tool for ministry. This book is for the beginner or those looking to go further with social media."

--Rev. Alan Rudnick, pastor, author, blogger, and social media practitioner

"The Word is active and alive via social media, connecting minds and hearts through shared faith. While some church leaders fear exploring the digital mission field, people like Meredith Gould write groundbreaking books like this one, fearlessly and wisely leading the way to a truly new evangelization."

--Fran Rossi Szpylczyn, Catholic writer and lay minister blogging at There Will Be Bread.

"Meredith Gould answers the questions many church leaders and ministers have about the use of social media for ministry in her new book, The Social Media Gospel. A ministry insider and experienced user of social media, Meredith overcomes objections and eases fears with knowledgeable insights, good humor and excellent end-of chapter reflection questions. The Social Media Gospel is a delightfully warm and welcoming invitation to share the Good News in new ways."

--Sister Susan Wolf, SND (@srsusan), Founder and President of Catholic Web Solutions

About this edition

• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 081463558X
• ISBN 13: 9780814635582
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152