There are so many ways to engage a congregation from a distance to keep your congregation engaged. Austin Carty who is the pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church is definitely a man that falls in that Millennial age range, is a digital native, but admittedly asks for lots of help with digital tools. I tell you this because here is a man that realizes the power of using digital and social media to engage a congregation, yet will ask for help to stay connected.
One of the tools we use to keep our congregation engaged and informed is Facebook. Here is the reason why. Here are the demographics from our Facebook page. First, who are our “Followers” or the Boulevard Baptist Facebook Page.
Here is the demographic breakdown of who engages with the content we share on our Facebook Page.
Here is the biggest thing we notice, the largest group of individuals engaging with our content roughly matches the demographics breakdown of the church. Our 55+ population is engaging with the content which is showcasing we probably only are having a handful of issues communicating to this group through Facebook.
We know our congregation audience is watching and engaged. This does not mean we are not using email, physical mail and other communication tools. But, we know we can reach with a regular touchpoint with our congregation audience using video messaging.
Video Storytelling and Pastoral Leadership
Austin is recording short, 2 to 5 minute video messages, posting them to his personal Facebook page and then we are sharing to the Boulevard Baptist Church Facebook page. We are using his iPhone with a Shure MV88 microphone to record the video. You can see he is also using a small, flexible tripod to hold his iPhone.
We have also elevated the iPhone with books on a small shelf so the phone is even with his face, thus giving the idea he is talking face-to-face with the congregation. You also notice he is sitting a relaxed chair instead of standing. He wants to come across relaxed and with a sense of calm. Many time we talk and chat on-camera, the intensity of the messaging and delivery can increase, we want to perform we stand and talk.
The goal here is to deliver and engaging and insightful message as a regular touchpoint to the congregation.
