The short answer – YES!!!
The longer answer is more complicated and dives into what makes people tick or respond to information. People interact more than any other creature in the world through verbal, physical, or non-verbal communication. As people moved further away from family and friends to accomplish their dreams, today’s technology has allowed them to still stay connected. Instead of sitting at the local café like past generations and catching up on everything in town, we each log into a computer to share pictures, blogs, life stories, etc. at a personable level through Social Media.
Why are people attracted to this?
Social Media shows the human side of people just as if you were sitting in that café many years ago. In other words, people want to know that they are just as average as the pastor in the church is — he has struggles, triumphs, and questions just like anyone else. When the human side shows up through communication channels, people will respond. Does your church show a personable side in its ministry to others inside and outside your organization?
We noticed this through our own company postings on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and our blog on WordPress. More responses came from personal things like pictures of our first snowfall in the Upper Midwest, a picture of a box of chocolates that we received, and our team at the company Christmas party. Although many of our blogs discuss important aspects of church software and have pictures, the response rate is lower. Why? The blogs are viewed as information to consume; people learn from them and move on. People are more likely to respond to a personal story about Icon Systems and its employees or a friendly client interaction.
What things does your church do to show the personal side of the organization?
