Peter Bowden
For congregations to thrive in today's digitally oriented world, it is important to understand how DIGITAL MINISTRY differs from SOCIAL MEDIA and MARKETING.
The digital ministry shift is a move from using social media solely to promote ministry opportunities to actually doing ministry on social media.
Yes, we need to promote and market events. That's true. But to harness the power of social media we need to go further!
In this episode, I share a concrete example related to educating and orienting newcomers. That's right... How to move your welcoming and membership ministry online using social!
Watch or listen below.
🎧 Listen to this episode via my podcast:
You may play it below or click the icons (left to right) to subscribe, download, embed, or share this episode.
Social Media
Think about all the different social media platforms we have. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Video posting platforms, audio hosting platforms. Generally, they allow us to share some kind of content -- photo, video, audio, and text.
We are able to put out some kind of content, some kind of message, and we have the ability to comment, reply, and interact around that message. So there's sharing content and there's interaction.
Social media gives us this amazing power! What we do with it is up to us. Think of it as raw capacity.
Marketing
With marketing, which can be done via social media, we are generally communicating in an effort to raise interest, awareness, curiosity, or some emotion related to something we want people to do, attend, or engage with.
Very often, when it comes to congregations, it's sharing announcements. Here's a picture, here's a meme, here's a graphic related to some event or opportunity. We're trying to get people to go to an event, such as attend a worship service or do something.
That's the majority of content congregations in the United States are generating on social media -- marketing-focused announcements.
Digital Ministry
Now, what about digital ministry? This is when we move from trying to promote events or opportunities via social media and start using social media platforms, or other digital tools, to actually DO ministry online.
Here's an example that I use in my Digital Ministry Academy and Video Ministry Academy trainings for religious professionals, staff, and volunteer leaders.
Interested in training for your professional group, conference, or denomination? Contact me for live online trainings, seminars, and keynotes.
Congregations often hold events for newcomers designed to educate and orient them. Think about how you are presently accomplishing this task.
We can design an event to welcome and orient newcomers that is held offline in a building or online via a Zoom meeting. In either case, it is a discrete event that we want to get people to go to.
We could use the power of social media -- that raw capacity to share and interact -- to post announcements and other content promoting this event. Our goal? To get newcomers to attend! That's marketing.
To use social media to actually DO ministry in this example, we can shift where the orienting is happening. Instead of some other event, we can answer questions directly on social media.
This could take the form of posting a photo of your connections team and a prompt for people to share questions they have.
We could go a step further and have a member of the team share a video where they share a welcome, some basic information, and ask people if they have questions.
Want to go next level? Schedule a live Q&A session online with your team. Invite people to share questions and join you live at the scheduled time! Answer the questions shared in advance, questions shared live, and help people get welcomed, oriented, and connected right there on social media.
What about the value of the event NOT on social media? Well, if you can get people there, it is great! But more and more people want that intro level content to be available when they are doing their research BEFORE they are ready to engage with your congregation.
Live Stream Q&A
I use Stream Yard (referral link) to live stream to multiple social media platforms at once. For example, I'll do live ministry strategy sessions with the live broadcast going to my YouTube channel, Facebook page, Twitter account, and one or more Facebook groups. I love having the power to be on multiple platforms live all at once!
You could schedule a live Q&A session with your team using Zoom and broadcast the video to a scheduled YouTube live video (read how to via Zoom blog). That video player could be shared in advance across your social media channels, email, and embedded on the newcomer page of your website!
Zoom is Digital, I know...
Okay, you may be thinking "Peter, Zoom is online and it is digital so a newcomer event held on Zoom is digital ministry." You are right! For simplicity, I didn't bring that up in the video. Moving offline newcomer events online via Zoom is a great step. For events that are geared for people who are curious and looking for more info but not ready to attend an event, the live stream option is great.
These times call for collaboration and rapid innovation! I think a monthly crowdsourcing session would be good. Not just on multi-platform worship, but a wide range of issues.
Is your congregation considering new tech staffing? This is for you! Please share this with any congregation you know who is in discernment on this issue.
Here's the question I keep getting, often when the process is far along and jobs are being threatened....
Question:
Peter, should we downsize our existing program staff and invest in a full-time tech person?
Quick Answer: No! In my professional opinion that's a horrible idea for most congregations. Better to invest in your existing staff & volunteers, cultivate new volunteers, see how far you can go and grow together, adding tech & media skills and associated tasks to portfolios of your staff and volunteers. If there are tech tasks that you must have covered, start with temporary contracts to supplement your existing team.
Watch this for my long answer:
All congregations need to be working to develop their media and tech capacity. But this shouldn't be implemented as knee-jerk actions throwing money at staffing. I know it is easy to want to fix the problem by hiring a new staff person.
Some day you may need to, but if you are in an emergency "Ah!!!! We need to go hybrid / multi-platform, and I can't do one more thing lets hire a new staff position" state, that isn't fair to your team, your congregation, and isn't a responsible use of funds.
I hear staff saying that there are no volunteers so they have to hire staff ASAP!
Well, congregations that haven't been talking about vision, mission, their calling, the future, and the role of social media, technology, and other aspects of digital life won't have tech and media volunteers hanging around. They haven't been needed or appreciated.
Hiring tech and communications staff, especially if budgets are tight, should follow a process that highlights the importance of media and technology and the building of an associated volunteer & ministry capacity.
What, there are no volunteers in this area? If you have never done a THING before, of course, you have no associated THING volunteers around. But if you start talking about why that THING is so important, all of a sudden the people who are good at that THING and LOVE your congregation are like to show up.
It is also important to recognize that we are being called to integrate our ministry and technology. For most congregations, this means not thinking of technology as a separate role from other staffing, volunteer, and ministry roles but an integral part of them — a part we need to carefully and intentionally cultivate.
At the heart of any viable hybrid future are staff and volunteers (with appropriate skill & strategy training) who are actively BUILDING relationships, FACILITATING conversations, and ENGAGING with members, friends, and newcomers in digital and physical spaces.
Instead of rushing to hire a new staff person to handle all the tech, keep in mind that you can't outsource ministry. Yes, you can hire AV people to run cameras, and hire Zoom worship associates to do the logistics, but at the heart of our ministry is relationship.
We can teach existing staff and volunteers new skills and strategies!
• How to engage with newcomers in digital spaces!
• How to run amazing Zoom-based connecting events that out-perform anything you've done offline for newcomers to date!!!
• How to use social media video to tell the story of your congregation.
• How to use multi-platform streaming tools like StreamYard allowing you to reach more people, more spaces, and do it all LIVE like a digital rock star!
• How to use small groups to make your ministry more relational, meaningful and transformative while being able to move between online and physical gatherings with ease!
• And more....
But it is much HARDER to get a turn a tech staffer into a minister, a membership coordinator, a pastoral care associate, a passionate member, and a new-found friend.
I know many of you feel the urge to GO BIG with tech staff because you need the help making whatever is going to come next happen.
I understand. I get it.
But rushing in this direction while cutting other positions and failing to do the visioning, leadership, and volunteer development work is not the way forward.
Instead of new tech staffing, invest in your existing staff & volunteers, cultivate new volunteers, see how far you can go and grow together, adding tech & media skills and associated tasks to their portfolios. If there are tech tasks that you must have covered, start with temporary contracts to supplement your existing team.
Hope this helps!
I'm talking with leaders about regathering their congregations this Fall. One of my recommendations? Think about it like we are RELAUNCHING our congregations. That's the kind of spirit and energy I think we need to bring to our regathering efforts.
Not just gathering again, but a full relaunch. New energy, new models, new opportunities -- new and exciting!!!
I know that's a lot. But I think that's what we need to bring people back and to welcome new members in.
This is serious business, especially with the pandemic accelerating declining attendance trends. Enough to make me put on my serious face...
But it is also incredibly exciting!
Our challenge?
To reconnect our communities -- including outreach to newcomers -- we need more effective communication, leaders using social media and video in ways that build relationships and deploy intentional strategies to help people take their next steps in congregational life.
That's a lot to figure out.
So my recommendation is to NOT try and figure it out all on your own. Let me help you. I've been working on this for years.
Unitarian Universalist congregations (my home denomination) are invited to join my new UU Digital Ministry Academy program!
Our first live training is coming up Saturday. For those who can't make it, there will be other repeat sessions plus on-demand video content available.
Members of the program get access to all program live trainings, strategy sessions, implementation events, and replays and other content on-demand.
To learn more and join us visit: http://www.digitalministryacademy.com
PS -- Short on time? Below is a 90-second explanation of UU Digital Ministry Academy.
Friends, here's a quick update on what's coming this Summer 🌞
This is just a preview. Training topics include digital ministry, social media, small groups, and membership development. That and lots of time to talk strategy and issues related to re-gathering and re-launching this Fall.
I'll share the full details, dates, and open registration after July 4th.
I know some of you are taking a break, others are leading Summer services and programming, and others working hard on preparing for the Fall. My goal is to be there to support you whenever you are ready!
PS -- Watch to the end for my sea monster impression. 🐉
🚀 SUBSCRIBE HERE for free content, online training event invitations, and more for Unitarian Universalist religious professionals, staff & volunteers!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Based on your survey feedback and resulting conversations, I'm launching a 100% redesigned Unitarian Universalist Digital Ministry program.
Here are some features of the new program:
• Open to all UU congregations
• Offers ongoing digital ministry strategy, skill training, and support
• For teams: volunteers, staff, and religious professionals
• On-demand content
• Live strategy sessions via Zoom
• Additional live stream Q&A sessions in response to your questions
• Monthly subscription affordable for congregations of all sizes and budgets
Do you like the idea of our doing Unitarian Universalist DIGITAL MINISTRY together? I can't wait! I'll be sharing much more shortly.
This is just a quick "I listened! Change of direction..." update.
What about the other program? I'm following up with those who expressed interest in that program.
Thanks to all who completed the survey. I greatly appreciate your sharing your ideas, insight, and support needs with me.
Questions, comments, ideas?
I'm working hard at adapting to the needs of our congregations as conditions shift season by season. If you have ideas or special requests, I'd love to hear from you. Contact me.
Update: Based on your feedback I'm 100% redesigning my training programs! Make sure you sign up to get training updates. Details are coming out the week of June 23, 2021.
Friends, here's an overview of my new Digital Ministry Accelerator program, DMAX for short. It is a 12-week program for Unitarian Universalist parish ministers (this round) and their congregations. Interested ministers, I'd love your feedback!
Please complete this brief program survey: SURVEY COMPLETED
Your responses will help me finalize the program design and the day and time we'll hold our weekly strategy sessions. Thank you!
Friends, recently I had the opportunity to be a guest on the new Unitarian Universalist podcast "The Flame" by Roddy Biggs!
Grateful for the chance to reflect on a range of issues related to UU life, ministry, media, and the pandemic through this conversation. Thanks, Roddy!
If you'd like to have future episodes delivered to your device, subscribe to The Flame podcast.
About the podcast
The Flame is a Unitarian Universalist faith-centered podcast offering voices and stories of hope, love, resilience, and community. Witness real conversations, ones that sometimes tackle challenging topics but safely and bravely. Whether you are a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, new to the faith, or this is the first time you are hearing of the Unitarian Universalist faith, I welcome you just as you are.
As we enter year two of the pandemic, uncertainty is a core aspect of our ministry context. How can we lead when so much is unknown?
Leaders and their congregations must have great clarity of mission and the vision they want to work toward. To work toward a clear mission-driven vision, facing the unknown as a community together is the path.
We can't have productive conversations about models, approaches, and staffing if we don't have clarity on our mission in 2021 and a powerful vision specific to our present ministry context.
YouTube video chapters
(0:00) Welcome
(3:19) Covid19 Year One.
(7:28) Covid19 Year Two?
(9:16) Leadership, Clarity, and Uncertainty
In this interview with the Rev. Christana Wille McKnight, minister of First Parish in Taunton, MA , we discuss the principles and strategies that helped this Unitarian Universalist congregation move from being at risk of closing to becoming a thriving small congregation playing a major role in Taunton’s revitalization efforts.
Get the "Playbook"
Rev. Christana Wille McKnight has kindly shared a Google Doc on the 11 points we discussed in this interview. To get the playbook, click here to open the Google Doc and then hit the add to drive icon to save a link to it in your drive.
WATCH
VIDEO CHAPTERS
(0:00) Countdown
(0:43) Welcome
(2:00) Overview of Transformation
(6:00) Rev. Christana Wille McKnight's "playbook"'
(6:25) 1. Live Invitational Culture
(9:29) 2. Use Accessible Language
(12:05) 3. Put Your Words into Action
(17:15) 4. Create Intentionally Welcoming Community
(19:20) 5. Reflect Your Community and Context.
(20:48) 6. Understand that Every Person Who Comes to Your Church Will Change It
(25:18) 7. Know Your Community’s History, Culture, Demographics and Needs Deeply
(32:25) 8. Create the Infrastructure to Help the Church You Want to Become Thrive
(37:35) 9. Create a Multicultural Worship Experience
(39:45) 10. Talk About Racism, Classism and the Injustices in the World in Meaningful Ways and Work to End These Unjust Constructs
(45:10) 11. Understand That Unitarian Universalism is a Theology, Not Culture.
(53:45) Wrapping up!
• Due to internet issues we had to use a cell phone for an internet connection. We decided to go forward as is instead of rescheduling. There some resulting audio pops. Sorry for the glitch.
• You may watch here as well as on my Unitarian Universalist Youtube Channel and Facebook Page.
LISTEN
Listen to this interview via my podcast below. You may subscribe here and have new episodes automatically delivered to your device.
It is hard to be creative, innovate, and collaborate as a leader when you’re experiencing a covid19 induced I have to move everything online and I don’t know how “flight or fight” response.
Here are four practices to help you move from “fight or flight” to a state that promotes growth and innovation.
Listen via my podcast, subscribe here.
1) First, be mindful of your internal state.
Bugging out? Freakin? If so, note to yourself that you are freaking out. Then look to what it is that is sparking that response. Often it is something we don’t know how to do or some form of system overload. Pay attention and name it. Move to number 2.
2) Identify what you need to succeed, such as new skills, strategies, or resources.
Or more specifically, what do you need to move forward that is presently moving you into a fight or flight response? I think you should focus first on those items which are stressing you out. Make a list!
3) Create space and time for growth-oriented conversations.
To thrive in these times we need to be creative, we need to innovate. If you aren’t having conversations that support this, you need to seek them out and carve out the time.
4) Calendar! Schedule time for skills training and strategy conversations.
It isn’t a priority if it isn’t on your calendar! Schedule for success. To help make sure you succeed, identify someone you can share your schedule and progress with.
Bonus: Build in accountability.
It helps to have accountability. Whether it is within your team, a friend, colleague, or family member, identify someone who has a similar need to learn and innovate. Discuss your lists, schedules, and offer each other support.
Have other ideas to help lead in these times? Share your thoughts via social media and tag me at @PeterBowdenLive.
This episode brought to you by Video Ministry Academy my video strategy masterclass for congregational leaders. Learn more at http://videoministryacademy.com.
Happy August! As we move into startup mode for the Fall I wanted to invite congregational leaders — religious professionals, staff and volunteers — to join Video Ministry Academy.
Video Ministry Academy is skill training, strategy masterclass, and learning community for congregational leaders. For all the details including a new video with me walking you through the program visit http://www.videoministryacademy.com.
These are challenging times. If you’re like most leaders I know, you know that these times require you to skill up and implement new strategies. Be kind to yourself and prioritize learning that is going to support your success.
Word on the street is that I’m a joyful and enthusiastic trainer who delivers practical tips and strategies in a way that makes learning fun.
Hi friends! I wanted to let you know that the COVID19 pandemic has me working primarily with congregations right now, my core training community.
In response, I am shifting the focus of my podcast — congregations, digital strategy, and helping leaders of community organizations adapt to digital life online. Interested?
You may subscribe on your favorite podcast platform including:
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Google Play Music
• iHeartRADIO
• TuneIn
• PocketCasts
• CastBox
• Overcast
• Podcast Addict
• BeyondPod
• Listen Notes
• Libsyn Show Page
• Podcast RSS Feed
Previously I was working with a growing range of organizations with an increasing focus on helping people build community face to face. I’ve put that community building work on hold.
I am now focusing my working on supporting my network of congregational, nonprofit, and community leaders as they work to adapt to covid19, learn new digital skills, and implement new strategies.
Feel free to subscribe or unsubscribe in response as appropriate.
As always, thank you for your leadership!
Friends, during this COVID19 season, one of my priorities is helping you bring your ministry and leadership online using video!
Over the last five weeks, I produced a new training designed to help you skill up and rapidly advance your video strategy. This new video strategy masterclass is called Video Ministry Academy.
I had a founding class of nearly 200 leaders from the United States, Canada, and Ireland. I had these leaders go through the training as I developed and released each of the training modules. That gave me real-time questions, feedback, and other ideas which I could incorporate into training as I developed it.
Now Video Ministry Academy is ready for you. You may enroll for immediate access to the on-demand training content, join our Video Ministry Learning community, and be invited to additional strategy sessions for my training community.
Learn more, review program, and register here.
Friends, I have a new VIDEO MINISTRY training launching shortly! The invitation is going out to my email list first and then will be shared online. Subscribe to get be first to receive the invitation. Enrollment is going to be limited. ~ Peter
Video was important pre-COVID19.
Now showing up and leading online using video is essential.
That’s why I’m launching a new training program to help clergy, staff, and other congregational leaders skill-up and rapidly integrate video into their digital ministry efforts.
This new training program is called VIDEO MINISTRY ACADEMY. It is a video skill training and strategy masterclass for ministry leaders.
Registration is going to open tomorrow, Friday, May 14th, with the program starting (and registration closing) Monday, May 25th.
It is going to help you do the following:
1) Rapidly skill-up and start producing video content with ease using computer webcams or smartphones. Video is the heart and engine driving my recommended strategy right now.
2) Implement a video-driven approach to engaging people in congregational life. You need to use video to lead online, maintain relationships, keep people invested in the mission of your congregation, and, if interested, scale your ministry.
3) The above includes the critical task of developing a digital path to membership producing supporting video. Online visitors want and need all your intro and orientation content online and on-demand.
We have much to do!
My goal is to give you the essential video training and strategy you need as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Here’s how it is going to work
• Every Monday of the five-week Video Ministry Academy program, I’ll release a new on-demand module within the course site.
• Each module will include video presentations, handouts, and video assignments. They’ll be practical exercises designed to move you rapidly forward.
• Each week, I’ll do member-only Facebook live sessions to answer questions on that week’s module as well as answer questions from previous weeks. Exact details are being finalized now.
• Participants will share their recorded video assignments in our program member-only Facebook group or complete the assignments by going LIVE in the group.
• Within the Facebook Group, I will offer video feedback, cheerleading, and other coaching.
I know this is a challenging time.
That’s why I’m committed to helping leaders like you learn the skills and strategies they need to succeed.
Look for my email tomorrow with your official invitation to enroll.
It will include details on cost, what the five modules are, etc…
I’ll be sharing more about the program on video – of course! – and answering questions over the coming week.
In cooperation
Peter Bowden
Friends, in this session I share foundations of the strategy I’m recommending congregations implement to thrive in these times.
I also preview the training programs I’m rolling out to support you.
They include strategy and skill training in three primary areas:
• Video for ministry leaders
• Small group ministry
• Social media strategy
A few key points from this session
VIDEO SKILLS: Religious professions need to become highly proficient in creating and using video content in their ministry. That content, live and recorded, is the foundation of a DIGITAL FIRST ministry. That’s the context of our ministry with other gatherings to be integrated as we are able.
SMALL GROUPS: Small groups translate beautifully to an online Zoom meeting environment and are the first kind of groups that we’ll be able to phase in — small groups in controlled spaces with people we know.
If you plan to accomplished your ministry through small group ministry, you can knock it out of the park.
SOCIAL MEDIA: If ever we’ve needed to rock social media, now is the time. But not just random social media. We need to use it with integrity and purpose! I recommend using social media to deliver video content that engages people in the life of the congregation — worship and small groups – and expands the reach and impact of your ministry.
If you weave these three pillars together, I believe any congregation that was successful pre-covid19 can thrive in these times. If you didn’t have a strategy before COVID19 and social distancing, these strategies can serve you.
I’m launching three training programs corresponding to the areas.
First video, then small groups, then social media.
Much more to come shortly!
Subscribe here to training updates.
Go team!
Peter
In response to the COVID19 coronavirus, we are moving our worship, ministries, and congregational life online at lightning speed. As we do so, many congregations are reporting an increase in first-time visitors. They just happen to be ONLINE visitors. This increase in online visitors is something we should expect and plan for!
I’ve spoken frequently about congregations creating a digital path to membership. Previously that was to connect those exploring online with our mostly offline congregations. Now we need to create a digital path to membership to connect people successfully with our primarily online congregations.
In this session, I share some of the key strategies from my “Digital Path to Membership” workshop, share thoughts on adapting established best practices for our present context, and answer questions for the remainder of the hour.
Congregations are moving their worship services online in response to the Covid19 coronavirus. Many are choosing Zoom as a platform.
This raises the question, should your congregation use Zoom Meeting or Zoom Webinar?
I’ve been discussing this with clients and colleagues.
Here’s a quick discussion of considerations following Zoom’s comparison chart.
Subscribe here to listen via my Podcast.
Congregational leaders, this is another digital strategy session to support you as we work to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. For many of you, that means moving your ministry online.
In this session, we’re talking small group ministry.
Specifically, why I want you to prioritize moving your small group ministry program online — I recommend using ZOOM video for group meetings.
If you don’t have an existing small group ministry program, that’s okay! You can simply focus on launching a digital small group ministry now.
Doing so will help with present social distancing and will likely lead to an interest in participation when you’re promoting group-based ministry at a later time.
I know how much work and energy it takes to embrace and learn new models. Many of you are accelerating your learning and experimenting at lightning speed. You can do it!
Peter Bowden
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110124156/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/screen-shot-2020-03-11-at-1.26.48-pm-1024x578-1.png
Subscribe here to listen via my Podcast.
Congregational leaders, this is another digital strategy session to support you as we work to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. For many of you, that means moving your ministry online.
In this session, we’re talking small group ministry.
Specifically, why I want you to prioritize moving your small group ministry program online — I recommend using ZOOM video for group meetings.
If you don’t have an existing small group ministry program, that’s okay! You can simply focus on launching a digital small group ministry now.
Doing so will help with present social distancing and will likely lead to an interest in participation when you’re promoting group-based ministry at a later time.
I know how much work and energy it takes to embrace and learn new models. Many of you are accelerating your learning and experimenting at lightning speed. You can do it!
Peter Bowden
On covid19, social distancing, limiting large gatherings, and your digital ministry strategy.
This is a strategy session to get your congregation thinking about the Covid19 coronavirus and your digital strategy should you face community spread and required “social distancing” such as limiting large gatherings and quarantines.
Specifically, how can we use social media, live video, and other tools to accomplish the work and ministry of your congregation without gathering face-to-face? This is something we need to be preparing for and I have strategy ideas to get you thinking.
Listen via my Podcast – subscribe here.
Text the word PETER to 1 (833) 306-0201
This will connect us via my text platform. Once we’re connected, whenever you have questions related to podcast episodes, videos, or other content, you can send me a message directly. This is NOT a group chat. It is a way for you to share questions with me one-on-one. I also send out low volume updates about live recording sessions and other opportunities to connect.
I work with nonprofit and congregational leaders across the United States on community building, digital leadership, and other connecting strategies. For private executive and team strategy sessions, please email me. Once I verify we’re a match to work together, I’ll send you a scheduling link.
On covid19, social distancing, limiting large gatherings, and your digital ministry strategy.
This is a strategy session to get your congregation thinking about the Covid19 coronavirus and your digital strategy should you face community spread and required “social distancing” such as limiting large gatherings and quarantines.
Specifically, how can we use social media, live video, and other tools to accomplish the work and ministry of your congregation without gathering face-to-face? This is something we need to be preparing for and I have strategy ideas to get you thinking.
Listen via my Podcast – subscribe here.
Text the word PETER to 1 (833) 306-0201
This will connect us via my text platform. Once we’re connected, whenever you have questions related to podcast episodes, videos, or other content, you can send me a message directly. This is NOT a group chat. It is a way for you to share questions with me one-on-one. I also send out low volume updates about live recording sessions and other opportunities to connect.
I work with nonprofit and congregational leaders across the United States on community building, digital leadership, and other connecting strategies. For private executive and team strategy sessions, please email me. Once I verify we’re a match to work together, I’ll send you a scheduling link.
We’re entering a “video first” world with video dominating social media and your audience’s attention. In Episode 5 of my podcast, I share strategies to help bring your leadership online.
These are strategies drawn from my training, coaching, and consulting work with nonprofits, congregations, and independent justice leaders.
To listen to this 55-minute audio master class, subscribe to my podcast and go to episode 5.
New podcast episode! Leading in a VIDEO FIRST world. This is a 55-minute audio masterclass on video strategy for community leaders. Listen and subscribe at https://t.co/YGgNUbZ5Qh pic.twitter.com/yZH6pWXJCy
— Peter Bowden (@PeterBowdenLive) February 5, 2020
On #ClimateTwitter the question came up, “How do you get other parents talking about climate?”
In addition to proactively raising the subject, I wear a Heart Earth Pin on my winter coat and favorite sport coats all the time.
Fellow #ClimateWoke parents:
— RW Climate (⧖) (@rwclimate) January 17, 2020
As parents in your community chit-chat at schools & events, is there talk about our escalating #ClimateEmergency & what we can do about it?
If not, let's talk about it with others
more
more
MORE
& change the norm together.
This is URGENT. @KHayhoe pic.twitter.com/kayprHjl2t
People I know and people I haven’t’ met yet will spontaneously say, “Hey, I love your pin.”
When they do, I share how I feel about climate, affirm our need to take action, mention how I’m involved with climate movement, and ask if they’re connected to any climate groups. If they are not, I recommend some groups.
When possible, I ask if I can email them information about some great groups like Mothers Out Front, 350, Citizens Climate Lobby, Extinction Rebellion, etc…
I bought 4 or 5 of the pins mentioned in this video via Amazon, but any pin you can wear all the time is great. I checked and Etsy has many options – see below.
Etsy Earth Pin Collection
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=Earth%20Pin
Earth Heart Pin
https://amzn.to/3am02vq
Other Earth pins
https://amzn.to/30x2n2o
Amazon links are affiliate links and contribute to my Earth Heart Pin fund. I keep buying and giving away pins. 
The New Year is a great time to try new strategies! This year I’d love for you to work on harnessing the power of video. In this session I share an overview of how we can use social media video to…
• Engage with your community
• Facilitate conversation and spiritual exploration online
• Advance your justice work
• Increase attendance
• and grow your membership as a result
In 2016 Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “Ten years ago, most of what we shared and consumed online was text. Now it’s photos, and soon most of it will be video. We see a world that is video first with video at the heart of all our apps and services.” Facebook / Fast Company
“The vast majority of Americans – 95% – now own a cellphone of some kind. The share of Americans that own smartphones is now 77%…” Pew Research Center
Video is estimated to be 80% of all Internet traffic. Wordstream.com
According to Forbes “90% of customers say video helps them make buying decisions and 64% of customers say that seeing a video makes them more likely to buy.” Adding a video to marketing emails has been shown to double to triple click-through rates. Website landing pages with videos see significant increases in their conversion rates.
Video is now expected. Use it to accompany and lead people from their first interaction with your congregation through their ongoing participation as members.
Through video your leaders are able to show up and be present online. Why is that important? Imagine not having any of your leaders present at the primary gatherings where people are trying to learn about your congregation? That’s what your online presence has become – the go to place to learn and connect with your congregation.
You are working to build relationships with your online community, to share your story, to inform, educate, and inspire them to take action. That action includes newcomers visiting for the first time, as well as inspiring existing members and friends to fully participate in congregational life.
Don’t let the simplicity fool you. We’re talking about using the tools of our time to be fully present and engaged with your community. The video format may be simple, but at the heart of this strategy is relationship, leadership, and trust.
Start using the camera from your smartphone, laptop, or desktop to film messages (you or other leaders) speaking directly to your online audience. Messages may be focused on newcomers, existing members and friends, or other audience as needed.
The best way to make great videos is to film many, many mediocre videos. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for continued improvement.
As my child’s 1st grade teacher always said, “Practice makes progress.”
Worship leaders: Share a weekly message telling people about the upcoming service(s) but not just logistics, not just an invitation. Share what you are exploring, why you are exploring, why this matters, and invite discussion and sharing on the topic.
The Goal As a leader you are communicating why the topic matters, and why your congregation is taking time to explore it. With your members and friends surrounded by thousand of options for new learning, entertainment, and distraction on-demand, you are inspiring them to participate.
As a congregation, as religious leaders, use video to be online where people are spending their time, engage with your community, and inspire them to participate in congregational life — weekly!
Sounds like sales, but I call it leadership. You are leading them in the exploration of the theme by sharing the why, sharing stories, highlighting how it connects to what is happening in the larger world, inviting people to share thoughts via social media (online participation), encouraging people to invite interested friends (outreach), and inviting people to attend the actual service. It is digital leadership.
The Win People following your congregation via social media not only know what’s going on, but they feel the importance, the value, the connection, and choose to participate over all other options!
Overwhelmed? Consider starting by sharing a message once per month featuring a service that is of particular interest to you. You can build up to weekly.
The following are tips to help improve your video messages. I encourage you to join me in being an ALL STAR IMPERFECTIONIST!
Don’t try to be perfect. You’ll improve over time.
1. Identify a Standard Location
It takes energy and thought to share a video message. Not knowing where you are going to film is inhibiting. Whether it is an office, a living room, a space in your congregation, or out in nature, determine your default location, figure out how to film there (position, lighting, etc..) and stick with that location unless otherwise inspired.
2. Place Camera at Eye Level (Don’t Film Up the Nose)
If you are using a laptop, place it on books to raise the camera to eye level. If using a smartphone, use a tripod to raise it to eye level. Invest in a smartphone mount and tripod. For Under $50 you can have a tripod and mount you can quickly attach your smartphone to. It is worth it if you are making video messages!
3. Increase Lighting for Increased Clarity
Film with lots of light. This can be natural light, lights in the room you are using, and extra lights you have purchased for filming. I have four LED light panels on stands in my office. I use them fill the room with light when filming, including Zoom meetings. More light = greater clarity. If you have extra office lights around, directing the lights at the ceiling or surrounding walls can add extra diffuse light while maintaining a natural look.
4. Keep Brightest Light In Front of You and BEHIND the Camera
If bright lights are behind you (included light on a wall) most cameras will auto-adjust to that brightness and you’ll look like you are an anonymous witness being interviewed by the FBI. The camera adjusting to the bright light will make you darker. Having the brightest light in front of you and behind the camera will help you look fabulous.
5. Press Smartphone Screen to Auto Focus and Auto Adjust Lighting
On most smartphones, if you press and hold your face on the screen it will auto-focus and auto adjust the lighting. Holding for several seconds usually auto-focus locks on the subject.
6. Know Your Camera Orientation Before You Start
Different social media platforms orient video horizontally, vertically, and square. The norms are shifting with Instagram and Facebook pushing vertical video. Look at videos on the platform where you’re planning to post. Notice what looks best, especially when viewed via mobile (majority of views). However the camera is oriented, keep it that way.
7. Check Background for Distractions
Before you start filming, check to make sure there is nothing distracting in the background. Make sure your environment represents you and your congregation appropriately.
8. Frame Your Shot – the Rule of Thirds
Where you are in the camera frame is important. Whether you are filming horizontally, vertically or with a square orientation, have your eyes floating just over the line between the middle and upper third of the screen. No matter how far away you are from the camera, still aim for that same line. See next page for framing examples.
In Western photography and film “an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.” Source: Wikipedia / Rule of Thirds.
9. Authenticity over other parameters
How long should videos be? Is vertical better than square or horizontal. Do whatever works for you to show up, be authenitic – be yourself, make videos consistently, and share your enthusiasm.
If you can share a great video that feels good and covers everything you want in 60 seconds, great! If you need 3-5 minutes, do that.
10. You Can Do It!
Have fun. Know it is important for your congregation. Don’t give up. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your videos improve, especially if you keep at it and reference this list of tips.
When you make and post video messages, I’d love to see them. You can tag me via social media @PeterBowdenLive on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to notify me of your posts, or email me links to videos you want to show off. Thanks!
Having been experimenting with this for a long time, I know this is challenging.
If you want help, I work with staff one-on-one as well as with teams and professional chapter groups. Whether individually or in groups, we can map out your video message strategy for a given span of time, figure out your video recording set up, and get you comfortable on camera.
I’m working on a related course right now. Will be taking new video coaching clients starting February 1st. If you’d like to be first in line, contact me and I’ll send you the registration link before I make it public.
In cooperation,
Peter
The New Year is a great time to try new strategies! This year I’d love for you to work on harnessing the power of video. In this session I share an overview of how we can use social media video to…
• Engage with your community
• Facilitate conversation and spiritual exploration online
• Advance your justice work
• Increase attendance
• and grow your membership as a result
In 2016 Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “Ten years ago, most of what we shared and consumed online was text. Now it’s photos, and soon most of it will be video. We see a world that is video first with video at the heart of all our apps and services.” Facebook / Fast Company
“The vast majority of Americans – 95% – now own a cellphone of some kind. The share of Americans that own smartphones is now 77%…” Pew Research Center
Video is estimated to be 80% of all Internet traffic. Wordstream.com
According to Forbes “90% of customers say video helps them make buying decisions and 64% of customers say that seeing a video makes them more likely to buy.” Adding a video to marketing emails has been shown to double to triple click-through rates. Website landing pages with videos see significant increases in their conversion rates.
Video is now expected. Use it to accompany and lead people from their first interaction with your congregation through their ongoing participation as members.
Through video your leaders are able to show up and be present online. Why is that important? Imagine not having any of your leaders present at the primary gatherings where people are trying to learn about your congregation? That’s what your online presence has become – the go to place to learn and connect with your congregation.
You are working to build relationships with your online community, to share your story, to inform, educate, and inspire them to take action. That action includes newcomers visiting for the first time, as well as inspiring existing members and friends to fully participate in congregational life.
Don’t let the simplicity fool you. We’re talking about using the tools of our time to be fully present and engaged with your community. The video format may be simple, but at the heart of this strategy is relationship, leadership, and trust.
Start using the camera from your smartphone, laptop, or desktop to film messages (you or other leaders) speaking directly to your online audience. Messages may be focused on newcomers, existing members and friends, or other audience as needed.
The best way to make great videos is to film many, many mediocre videos. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for continued improvement.
As my child’s 1st grade teacher always said, “Practice makes progress.”
Worship leaders: Share a weekly message telling people about the upcoming service(s) but not just logistics, not just an invitation. Share what you are exploring, why you are exploring, why this matters, and invite discussion and sharing on the topic.
The Goal As a leader you are communicating why the topic matters, and why your congregation is taking time to explore it. With your members and friends surrounded by thousand of options for new learning, entertainment, and distraction on-demand, you are inspiring them to participate.
As a congregation, as religious leaders, use video to be online where people are spending their time, engage with your community, and inspire them to participate in congregational life — weekly!
Sounds like sales, but I call it leadership. You are leading them in the exploration of the theme by sharing the why, sharing stories, highlighting how it connects to what is happening in the larger world, inviting people to share thoughts via social media (online participation), encouraging people to invite interested friends (outreach), and inviting people to attend the actual service. It is digital leadership.
The Win People following your congregation via social media not only know what’s going on, but they feel the importance, the value, the connection, and choose to participate over all other options!
Overwhelmed? Consider starting by sharing a message once per month featuring a service that is of particular interest to you. You can build up to weekly.
The following are tips to help improve your video messages. I encourage you to join me in being an ALL STAR IMPERFECTIONIST!
Don’t try to be perfect. You’ll improve over time.
1. Identify a Standard Location
It takes energy and thought to share a video message. Not knowing where you are going to film is inhibiting. Whether it is an office, a living room, a space in your congregation, or out in nature, determine your default location, figure out how to film there (position, lighting, etc..) and stick with that location unless otherwise inspired.
2. Place Camera at Eye Level (Don’t Film Up the Nose)
If you are using a laptop, place it on books to raise the camera to eye level. If using a smartphone, use a tripod to raise it to eye level. Invest in a smartphone mount and tripod. For Under $50 you can have a tripod and mount you can quickly attach your smartphone to. It is worth it if you are making video messages!
3. Increase Lighting for Increased Clarity
Film with lots of light. This can be natural light, lights in the room you are using, and extra lights you have purchased for filming. I have four LED light panels on stands in my office. I use them fill the room with light when filming, including Zoom meetings. More light = greater clarity. If you have extra office lights around, directing the lights at the ceiling or surrounding walls can add extra diffuse light while maintaining a natural look.
4. Keep Brightest Light In Front of You and BEHIND the Camera
If bright lights are behind you (included light on a wall) most cameras will auto-adjust to that brightness and you’ll look like you are an anonymous witness being interviewed by the FBI. The camera adjusting to the bright light will make you darker. Having the brightest light in front of you and behind the camera will help you look fabulous.
5. Press Smartphone Screen to Auto Focus and Auto Adjust Lighting
On most smartphones, if you press and hold your face on the screen it will auto-focus and auto adjust the lighting. Holding for several seconds usually auto-focus locks on the subject.
6. Know Your Camera Orientation Before You Start
Different social media platforms orient video horizontally, vertically, and square. The norms are shifting with Instagram and Facebook pushing vertical video. Look at videos on the platform where you’re planning to post. Notice what looks best, especially when viewed via mobile (majority of views). However the camera is oriented, keep it that way.
7. Check Background for Distractions
Before you start filming, check to make sure there is nothing distracting in the background. Make sure your environment represents you and your congregation appropriately.
8. Frame Your Shot – the Rule of Thirds
Where you are in the camera frame is important. Whether you are filming horizontally, vertically or with a square orientation, have your eyes floating just over the line between the middle and upper third of the screen. No matter how far away you are from the camera, still aim for that same line. See next page for framing examples.
In Western photography and film “an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.” Source: Wikipedia / Rule of Thirds.
9. Authenticity over other parameters
How long should videos be? Is vertical better than square or horizontal. Do whatever works for you to show up, be authenitic – be yourself, make videos consistently, and share your enthusiasm.
If you can share a great video that feels good and covers everything you want in 60 seconds, great! If you need 3-5 minutes, do that.
10. You Can Do It!
Have fun. Know it is important for your congregation. Don’t give up. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your videos improve, especially if you keep at it and reference this list of tips.
When you make and post video messages, I’d love to see them. You can tag me via social media @PeterBowdenLive on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to notify me of your posts, or email me links to videos you want to show off. Thanks!
Having been experimenting with this for a long time, I know this is challenging.
If you want help, I work with staff one-on-one as well as with teams and professional chapter groups. Whether individually or in groups, we can map out your video message strategy for a given span of time, figure out your video recording set up, and get you comfortable on camera.
I’m working on a related course right now. Will be taking new video coaching clients starting February 1st. If you’d like to be first in line, contact me and I’ll send you the registration link before I make it public.
In cooperation,
Peter
With the New Year people are looking to connect with organizations, from visiting a local congregation to joining a fitness club or getting involved in the climate movement.
Social media and digital culture are changing how people research and connect with these organizations.
In this episode, I share ways leaders and their organizations can support the digital side of this process to help more people successfully connect.
Listen to this via my podcast! Subscribe here.
Friends, I wanted to share a personal update impacting my activities online this Winter.
Some of you may have heard that my mother died last Summer. Now through February 2020, I will be working on closing up and selling her house.
During this time I will be focusing exclusively on existing client projects and these family matters.
Once we get to March, I’ll get back to my regular social media / live video routine, roll out my next round of training and coaching programs.
UPDATE: Yes! I welcome inquiries regarding speaking, training, and coaching with start dates after March 1st. Thanks, Peter
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110095951/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/winter2020.png
Friends, for the New Year I’ve launched a new podcast. It is live and ready for you to subscribe to wherever you listen to podcasts.
Why a podcast?
We have a growing need for community builders who understand how to promote connection and build meaningful relationships wherever they are.
We need more opportunities to come together to explore the issues of our time, with this promoting civic engagement and action.
We also need community leaders to embrace the growing digital context of our lives and learn how to use digital tools to connect, engage, and inspire.
Through this podcast I’m sharing my work with connection, community building, nonprofit and congregational life, small group organizing, social media, digital leadership, and more!
Please subscribe for audio from my trainings, keynotes, guest interviews, Q and A sessions, podcast-only conversations, and audio masterclasses.
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Google Play Music
• PocketCasts
• CastBox
• Overcast
• Podcast Addict
• BeyondPod
• Listen Notes
• Libsyn Show Page
• Podcast RSS Feed
Thank you for subscribing, for being part of the conversation, and for your leadership.
In community,
Peter Bowden
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110095439/https://peterbowden.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TRAILER-PeterBowden-Podcast-12102019.mp3
Next week I’m offering my “2020 Future Cast” to my 2019 training program for congregational leaders. This is our final session in the series. We’re discussing top tech and communication trends that are shaping your community, your congregation and the context within which you are doing ministry today.
After the New Year, look for the following:
• new stand-alone on-demand courses
• single session webinars (not subscription)
• ongoing free public LIVE VIDEO sessions
• new podcast coming out this month!
I’ll be sharing much more as these roll out. Subscribe to get updates!
Next week I’m offering my “2020 Future Cast” to my 2019 training program for congregational leaders. This is our final session in the series. We’re discussing top tech and communication trends that are shaping your community, your congregation and the context within which you are doing ministry today.
After the New Year, look for the following:
• new stand-alone on-demand courses
• single session webinars (not subscription)
• ongoing free public LIVE VIDEO sessions
• new podcast coming out this month!
I’ll be sharing much more as these roll out. Subscribe to get updates!
Harness The Power of Your Podcast!
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7pm EST
1 Hour Session Presented by Peter Bowden
Many leaders fear audio podcasts keep people from visiting. The opposite is true! Audio podcasts are frequently used to evaluate congregations, including deciding to visit and ultimately join.
Podcasts also help existing members and volunteers stay engaged. With podcasts and smart speakers growing in popularity, your audio ministry is more valuable than ever!
We’ll discuss using podcasts for outreach, education, membership development, and stewardship.
This session is part of my Leading Congregations Monthly training program.
To attend this session only, join the program and cancel your subscription after this training is over via your PayPal account. Easy!
Want to join us? Learn more and enroll
Members – Go to Program Site
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110072919/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/podpower2.png
Congregations, Harness The Power of Your Podcast!
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7pm EST
60 Minutes • Presented by Peter Bowden
Many congregational leaders fear audio podcasts keep people from visiting. The opposite is true!
Audio podcasts are frequently used to evaluate congregations, including deciding to visit and ultimately join. Podcasts also help existing members and volunteers stay engaged.
With podcasts and smart speakers growing in popularity, your audio ministry is more valuable than ever! We’ll discuss using podcasts for outreach, education, membership development, and stewardship.
NOTE: If you hold weekly services that include a sermon, you should be recording audio of these talks. If you do, distributing this content as a podcast is a must!
New Members – Learn more and enroll
Members – Go to Program Site
Congregations, Harness The Power of Your Podcast!
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7pm EST
60 Minutes • Presented by Peter Bowden
Many congregational leaders fear audio podcasts keep people from visiting. The opposite is true!
Audio podcasts are frequently used to evaluate congregations, including deciding to visit and ultimately join. Podcasts also help existing members and volunteers stay engaged.
With podcasts and smart speakers growing in popularity, your audio ministry is more valuable than ever! We’ll discuss using podcasts for outreach, education, membership development, and stewardship.
NOTE: If you hold weekly services that include a sermon, you should be recording audio of these talks. If you do, distributing this content as a podcast is a must!
New Members – Learn more and enroll
Members – Go to Program Site
I just had a great conversation with a ministry team about membership, digital culture, and staffing. For these leaders — staff and membership volunteers — it was eye-opening.
I want you to have the same experience. I hope this 10 minute-ish video helps inspire you to update your strategy!
We need to meet people WHERE and WHEN they are making decisions about our congregations — that’s online for a huge percentage of potential visitors and new members.
We need to welcome them online.
We need to inspire, educate, and orient them online.
We need to bring a branch of the path to membership online.
How do we do this? First, acknowledge the fact that the world, our technology, and human behavior requires a shift. Once you do that you can seek out specific support.
I am continually discussing this and related issues in my UU PLANET LEADERS Facebook group Join me and over 1,000 other Unitarian Universalist leaders in this group.
I also lead a new LIVE and ON-DEMAND training for congregational leaders every month. This is through my Leading Congregations Monthly program. Learn more.
As noted in this video, I also offer Zoom video consultations. This inlcudes one-on-one and team consultations, as well as remote video presentations for professional groups, seminaries, and conferences across the United States.
Contact me if you’d like to discuss a training.
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110061950/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/black-and-white-cellphone-close-up-1100447.jpg
Leading Congregations Monthly Training
Topic: Mastering your “Plan A Visit” Strategy
Date: Presented Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Duration: 60 minutes
Recording: Available to program members
New Members – Learn more and enroll
Watch this Session – Leading Congregations Monthly Members
Many people thinking about visiting a congregation make it to the congregation’s website, but never follow through with a visit.
Thinking about visiting a congregation is very stressful, let alone actually visiting.
You can help people interested in your congregation follow through with a visit by helping them decide to visit RIGHT THEN AND THERE when they are on your website and considering it.
Don’t let people linger in an anxious, tentative, “maybe I’ll visit someday” state.
To help them commit to a visit and move forward requires understanding their state of mind, shifting your website’s language, and what you are asking them to do.
Instead of saying, “Oh, visit anytime,” you ask them to RSVP for an upcoming service. You proactively help them plan their visit and send them clear instructions, resources, and support.
The best part?
You can automate this process with automated emails sending visitors who RSVP the information they need, prompting them to ask if they have additional questions, as well as notifying your team that they are coming.
By doing this you shift when you collect information from when they visit in person to when they plan to visit online. Instead of trying to figure out who newcomers are as they come in, you’re proactively connecting with them in advance.
Can you tell I love this strategy?
I’m watching this strategy being deployed across the church world. All the rapidly growing congregations I follow are shifting to this approach.
If you aren’t using this strategy on your website and membership development process, consider joining us for this session!
You can join my monthly training program for congregatioanl leaders and leave at any time via your PayPal account. To join for this session, enroll, and then end your subscription via PayPal once the session is complete. You’ll have a full month of access to our program member site.
New Members – Learn more and enroll
Watch this Session – Leading Congregations Monthly Members
Leading Congregations Monthly Training
Topic: Mastering your “Plan A Visit” Strategy
Date: Presented Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Duration: 60 minutes
Recording: Available to program members
New Members – Learn more and enroll
Watch this Session – Leading Congregations Monthly Members
Many people thinking about visiting a congregation make it to the congregation’s website, but never follow through with a visit.
Thinking about visiting a congregation is very stressful, let alone actually visiting.
You can help people interested in your congregation follow through with a visit by helping them decide to visit RIGHT THEN AND THERE when they are on your website and considering it.
Don’t let people linger in an anxious, tentative, “maybe I’ll visit someday” state.
To help them commit to a visit and move forward requires understanding their state of mind, shifting your website’s language, and what you are asking them to do.
Instead of saying, “Oh, visit anytime,” you ask them to RSVP for an upcoming service. You proactively help them plan their visit and send them clear instructions, resources, and support.
The best part?
You can automate this process with automated emails sending visitors who RSVP the information they need, prompting them to ask if they have additional questions, as well as notifying your team that they are coming.
By doing this you shift when you collect information from when they visit in person to when they plan to visit online. Instead of trying to figure out who newcomers are as they come in, you’re proactively connecting with them in advance.
Can you tell I love this strategy?
I’m watching this strategy being deployed across the church world. All the rapidly growing congregations I follow are shifting to this approach.
If you aren’t using this strategy on your website and membership development process, consider joining us for this session!
You can join my monthly training program for congregatioanl leaders and leave at any time via your PayPal account. To join for this session, enroll, and then end your subscription via PayPal once the session is complete. You’ll have a full month of access to our program member site.
New Members – Learn more and enroll
Watch this Session – Leading Congregations Monthly Members
Friends, here’s information on my next training for Unitarian Universalist leaders:
Personal Invitation Made Easy
Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Time: 7pm EST
Duration: 60 minutes
Where: Online / Zoom Webinar access provided to program members
Monthly program members have access to all session recordings (starting January 2019) in our program member area.
Personal invitation is the #1 outreach and growth strategy of all time! What do you need to do to get your existing members and friends to invite others to attend your congregation? We’ll cover practical strategies to build a positive culture of invitation.
I should mention that it is VERY common for members to resist when told to invite people to church.
There are reasons for this which we will address. September is a great time to get rid of the barriers and empower your members and friends to invite away.
This session is part of my monthly training program.
You may enroll here ($15 per month). Full program information, logistics, and member benefits are available here.
Join for a year or a single month. When you are ready to leave, end your subscription via your PayPal account. You don’t even have to contact me. Just go to your account’s pre-approved payments and manage it there. Easy!
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110044236/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/personalinvitationmadeeasy.png
This session is now available on-demand via my Leading Congregations Monthly program.
Topic: The Ministry of Communication
Presenter: Peter Bowden
When: COMPLETED
Duration: 60 Minutes
Program Members: Go to this module
New Members: Learn more and enroll
The goal of this session is to help you take your congregation’s communications to a new level!
Specifically, I’m talking about placing your media and communication efforts at the heart of your ministry — love it or hate it, that’s where it needs to be given our increasingly digitally oriented society.
After my opening challenge and cheerleading, we’ll cover the practical considerations listed below.
• Welcome and Introductions
• Upgrading your ministry-communication mindset!
• Collaboration between clergy, staff, and volunteer communicators
• Building your media capacity
• Coordinating your team’s work
• Thoughts on Communication Staff
• Closing Q&A
• Program Announcements
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110033238/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/ministryofcomm-lcm-july-2019-notext.png
Friends, my next live monthly session is coming up fast! Here are the details. Let me know if you have questions. ~ Peter
When: July 10, 2019 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Duration: 60 Minutes
Topic: The Ministry of Communication
Program Members: Get Zoom webinar access via our program member area.
New Members: Learn more and enroll
In this session we’ll explore the vital role of digital communication in ministry today! I’ll share why we need to approach congregational communication as a core component of our ministry and then cover specific logistical and strategy considerations below.
• The Ministry of Communication
• Collaboration between clergy, staff, and volunteer communicators
• Building your media capacity
• Coordinating your team’s work
• Frequently asked questions
Have questions on our topic? Submit your questions in advance or live during this session. Members, submit questions via the link in this post. Thanks!
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110031044/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/ministryofcomm-lcm-july-2019.png
Hey friends! My upcoming training is on a much requested topic – assessing communications and communication audits!
Who wants to waste massive amounts of time, energy, and resources on communications that aren’t having an impact?
Assessing communications is more important than ever given the number of channels we have, and the ongoing impact of smartphones and other digitial devices!
In this session I’ll cover what communication audits are, why they need to be conducted, how to conduct one in-house, and other considerations and resources.
Details below!
Topic: Congregational Communication Audits
Presenter: Peter Bowden
Date and Time: June 12th at 7:00 pm EST
Duration: 90 minutes including presentation and Q&A
Where: Live via Zoom Webinar with the recording posted in our Leading Congregations Monthly member area after the training. Login to our member area and you’ll see the live session information highlighted front and center.
Video: I’m on camera, you’re not. You can watch in your pajamas if you want.
Registration: This training is part of my monthly training series. Here are all the details. The Zoom access info is waiting for you in the member area. You’ll see it as soon as you log in.
If you want to join for THIS SESSION ONLY, join the program and then after the training go to your PayPal account and to manage to your subscriptions payments. You don’t even have to contact me to cancel.
You’ll have 30 days access to the entire member area and training archive including all past sessions – see below – and bonus content.
Enroll in Leading Congregations Monthly
UPCOMING TRAININGS
The Ministry of Communication
Wednesday, July 10th at 7pm EST
With a focus on digital communication and congregational life, we’re talking staffing, coordination, and collaboration.
Training Greeters (Sunday Greeters)
Wednesday, August 14th at 7pm EST
Getting ready for the Fall, we’re talking greeter training. Fromn what they need to do and know to how many to have and other considerations.
NOW ON-DEMAND
BONUS CONTENT
Whether you join just for this month’s training or remain a member, you get access to this bonus content while you are enrolled.
If any of that interests you, join us.
Talk soon,
Peter
Enroll in Leading Congregations Monthly
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110021634/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/beverage-break-brown-414630.jpg
The UUA’s General Assembly conference is this month, June 19-23, in Spokane, WA!
It is time to prepare, and if this is your first time, make sure to checkout these tips for having a great conference. If you aren’t attending the conference on-site, learn how to participate off-site.
This collaborative post and “survival guide” features tips and reminders for attending the annual General Assembly conference of the Unitarian Universalist Association. I’ve been collecting tips and compiling since 2011.
Have a tip or resource to add? Share it in a comment at the end of this post or share via Twitter and tag your tweet with #UUAGA and my username @UUPLANET.
Follow the UU World’s Coverage:
The staff of the UU World does an amazing job covering General Assembly. Their GA blog and social media channels are the go to source for in-depth and breaking General Assembly news.
The official hashtag for the UUA’s General Assembly conference is #UUAGA. There is NO year in the tag. Every year a handful of UUs get stuck following the wrong hashtag because someone tweeted the hashtag and inserted the year. There is no year. The hashtag is #UUAGA.
Are you going to the @UUA General Assembly conference this June? If so, make sure to tweet with the official hashtag #UUAGA!
Do
NOT insert a year
It is NOT #UUAGA19
It is NOT #UUAGA2019
Only use #UUAGA— UU PLANET (@uuplanet) May 29, 2019
The UUA board has live and a recorded webinar to orient you. You can join these live Zoom webinars here. To find the recording, scroll down the webinar page.
The UUA GA Mobile App is fantastic. If you have a smartphone, make sure to install it. It will significantly improve your GA experience. It serves as a conference specific social media platform. Don’t see people posting about GA on Facebook or Twitter? Yeah, that’s because much of it goes into the app.
Get it now! People are already posting. And plan on exploring and testing the app before you arrive. There are a lot of features. You can choose to follow posts by other attendees, share your own posts tagging which event you’re at, and much more. The week leading up to GA, try opening the app each day.
Have a tip or related resources to share? Comment on this post. Thanks! Peter
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110021125/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/uuaga_overload.jpg
Live UU CLIMATE JUSTICE briefing for May 24, 2019 with Aly Tharp, Program Manager of the UU Ministry for Earth, and Peter Bowden. In under 10-minutes we discuss timely news, info, and opportunities related to Unitarian Universalist climate justice efforts!
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110014420/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/screen-shot-2019-05-24-at-10.22.13-am.png
There’s so much going on with the climate and some awesome UU events and opportunities coming up! That’s why I’m going LIVE with Aly Tharp of the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth to share a quick briefing to share highlights. Please watch and share!
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110012601/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/screen-shot-2019-05-17-at-2.17.11-pm.png
Does your congregation use Facebook? If so, you need to be tracking changes to Facebook that are going to impact your strategy. I discussed the announced changes and the implications in my UU Planet Leaders Facebook Group. The recording is below.
Make sure to subscribe to email updates so you can join the live conversation! Not on Facebook or just want recordings? Subscribe to my Youtube Channel.
What did Zuck say to promp this conversation? At the F8 conference, Mark Zuckerberg shared a vision for the future of Facebook including an intensified focus privacy, encryption, ephemeral content, and connecting people with “meaningful community” via Facebook groups. The group focus is already rolling out. You’ve seen the changes if you updated your app.
As Facebook works to drive people into groups, we need to make sure your congregation has a Facebook strategy that takes advantage of this group focus and helps people successfully connect with your congregation offline, face-to-face.
Tracking these changes and discussing related strategies is something I’ll continue to discuss via social media and in my Leading Congregations Monthly trainings. If you’re interested in this topic, make sure you subscribe to my email newsletter so you get notifcations for live chats, video releases (like the one above), and training topics.
This session was recorded May 10, 2019 in my Facebook group for Unitarian Universalist Leaders.
Here’s Zuckerberg’s full F8 talk:
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110010558/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/screen-shot-2019-05-10-at-1.42.55-pm.png
A training update for Unitarian Universalist congregational leaders and friends, plus a Facebook Live session on Friday!
Today it is hard to separate MINISTRY + MEDIA + COMMUNICATION. I’m constantly talking with leaders and no that the communication demands on congregations are significant. You don’t have to figure this stuff out alone.
Over the next three months my Leading Congregations Monthly trainings as well as this Friday’s Facebook Live session are on communication and ministry themes.
This Wednesday, May 8th at 7pm EST – 90 Minute Training
5 Essential Twitter Strategies for Congregations!
Twitter is my favorite social media platform and is a powerful tool for outreach, sharing our voices and values, and leading on the issues of our time. Our focus will be on strategies to support outreach and membership development, connecting with your local community, and bringing visibility to your advocacy and witness efforts.
Existing members: Access via our member area
New members: Learn more and enroll here
Friday, May 10th at 12:30pm EST – 20 Minute Facebook Live
The Future of Facebook and Meaningful Community
This Friday I’m going live in my UU Planet Leaders group to discuss the implications of Mark Zuckerberg’s recent presentation on the future of Facebook. I’ll discuss their intensifying focus on Facebook groups and helping people connect with “meaningful communities” online. Preview on my take: We need to be countercultural and use digital spaces to get people into face-to-face communities, like your congregation. And we need a clear digital path to do so. Here’s the link to Friday’s Facebook Live video stream player. I’ve already scheduled it. You can go to that link then click the button to be notified when I go live.
Know someone else who would appreciate this conversation? Forward this message to them.
Leading Congregations Monthly Summer Schedule
REMINDER: All sessions are recorded and available on demand in our member area. When you subscribe you can join the live sessions and watch recordings. Learn more.
Wednesday, June 12th at7pm EST
Congregational Communication Audits
What are they, why they need to be conducted, strategies, resources
Wednesday, July 10th at at 7pm EST
The Ministry of Communication
Staffing, coordination, and collaboration
Wednesday, August 14th at at7pm EST
Training Greeters (Sunday Greeters)
What they need to do, know, how many to have, other considerations
Have ideas for trainings or Facebook Live discussions I can offer to support you and your congregation? I’d love to hear from you. Contact me.
Thanks!
Peter
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110010256/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/peterbowden-facebooklive-thumbnail.png
Many congregations that want to grow get stuck small because they don’t have the relational structures in place to allow for growth.
That’s why my March Leading Congregations Monthly live training is focused on small group growth strategies. If you want to grow your congregation, I hope you’ll join us.
Family-sized congregations (up to around 50 people) are often kept small by their close relationships, with members not wanting to disrupt intimacy. They like knowing everyone, they like being a family.
Pastoral-sized congregations (up to around 150 people) tend to stay small because the minister serves as the hub of everything. If you draw a map of relationships in one of these congregations, it looks like a hairball. I have colleagues who call this the “hairball ministry” model.
You can want to grow, but unless you change the structure, after a certain point, there just isn’t the capacity to grow. That’s where growth oriented small group ministry comes in.
Small group ministry, when designed and implemented correctly, offers the vision, leadership, and relational capacity congregations need to grow.
That’s what we’re discussing in next week’s Leading Congregations Monthly live training: Small Group Growth Strategies. Learn More.
Some of you might not know that small groups are how I got into working with our congregations nationally.
After successfully using small group ministry with youth, young adults in my home congregation, I launched the UU Small Group Ministry Network in 2001 and in 2004 relaunched it with colleagues as a nonprofit and affiliate organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
That effort helped establish the popular approach to small group ministry used in Unitarian Universalist congregations.
While small group ministry is common now, what isn’t as widely known is what you need to do to grow small groups and use small groups as engines for congregational growth.
After helping to popularize small group ministry, I stepped away for a time to help pioneer our use of social media in our congregations. Both are ways to connect people with our congregations, which is my passion.
I have led weekend retreats in which I’ve shared the deeper growth strategies, but I haven’t offered this content through online training.
But that’s changed thanks to Leading Congregations Monthly which is helping more leaders access my training.
This month I’m going to share core strategies you can use to grow your group leaders, grow your groups, and grow your congregation.
This is a 90-minute live training happening Wednesday, March 13th at 7pm EST.
All of our Leading Congregations Monthly trainings are RECORDED with video recordings with CLOSED CAPTIONING and HANDOUTS available in the program MEMBER AREA.
If you’re committed to growing your congregation and don’t have a thriving small group system actively supporting the health and growth of your ministry, this is an important training for you.
Click here to get all the details about Leading Congregations Monthly including the benefits, how you can include teams, and bonuses if you join. Bonuses will be available in your library immediately after you join Leading Congregations Monthly.
This month’s bonuses are:
• Relational Volunteer Recruitment with Peter Bowden (mini-course)
• Social Media and Membership Growth with Peter Bowden (full course)
Thank you for your leadership and let me know if you have questions.
In cooperation,
Peter
Friends, here’s the recording of my conversation with the amazing Rev. Naomi King!
Friends, on Friday, March 1st at 1:00pm EST I’m going live with the Rev. Naomi King to discuss using social media for spiritual practice, setting intentions for how we digital tools, and more! If you are interested in the intersection of social media and spirituality, I think you’ll love this conversation. Join us! Use the attached Youtube player to watch, chat, and share your questions.
The Rev. Naomi King is a Unitarian Universalist minister who teaches spiritual practices in person and online. Connect with her and her teaching via the following links.
Happy Friday friends. Facebook LIVE office hours (1/18/19) answering some of your questions about digital culture and congregational membership development. See below for 3 upcoming events, 2 Boston area, one online!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wed, Jan 23 – Metro West RE Cluster – “Spiritual Life in the Digital Age”
I’m leading program for our local cluster of religious educators exploring how digital devices are disrupting spiritual growth and development. After my presentation, we’ll discuss the impact on parenting, family interactions, etc… Email or FB Message me if you’re an area religious educator and didn’t get the email through your network.
Sat, Feb 2 – UU Social Media and Membership Growth in Needham, MA
Social media, smartphones, and constant access to the internet is fundamentally changing how people form relationships, consume information and make important life decisions. This has significant implications for congregations, especially with regard to how we share our news and announcements, and how we invite people into membership. Learn More and Register
Wed, Feb 13 – Leading Congregations Monthly Live online training. February’s session is going deeper into Facebook Strategy, including report back from my review of how the fastest growing churches in the United States are using Facebook. Learn more.
Missed Leading Congregations Monthly January Video Bootcamp? The recording is in the member area. Join us to participate in live monthly sessions and access all previous sessions and handouts.
Leading Congregations Monthly in March will be focused on small group based congregational growth strategies. One of my favorite topics!
NEW ENGLAND SNOW STORM
Stay safe everyone!
T-SHIRT
Today’s t-shirt “Providence: Weird Since 1636” is brought to you by my sister, a member of my home congregation, the First Unitarian Church of Providence.
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211109162929/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/facebook-live.jpg
Unitarian Universalists leaders in New England, join me at First Parish in Needham, MA on Saturday, Feb 2, 2019, for my next Social Media and Membership Growth day-long training. We’re going to give your approach to outreach, welcoming & hospitality, and membership development a serious upgrade! You’re going to love it.
Get all the details and register here
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211109154950/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/peterbowden-feb2nd-needhamma-event.png
It has never been easier to infuse your congregation with new ideas, strategies, and energy!
January 9th, 7:00 – 8:30pm EST
That’s right! We’re going deep into strategies for using video to communicate, engage, and inspire.
We’re talking simple videos anyone with a smartphone can make.
February 13th, 7:00 – 8:30pm EST
Facebook has made massive changes which have hit congregational pages hard. From prioritizing groups to new policies on issue advertising.
In this session we’ll cover Facebook strategy best practices, as well as look at emerging challenges — like the balance of using pages versus groups.
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211109071525/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/LCM-LaptopDesk-V1-1000px.png
Friends, here’s the first part of my recent webcast on Social Media and Membership Growth presented to Candadian Unitarian congregations, sponored by the CUC.
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211109064748/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/screen-shot-2018-12-08-at-2-44-32-pm.png
In this Facebook Live conversation with Laura Beth Brown and Peter Bowden we discuss “Embracing Family Ministry” based on Laura Beth’s popular workshops and role as Director of Family Ministry at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation is Summit, NJ.
We discuss how her congregation’s approach to family ministry is drawing inspiration from the book “Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age” by Juana Bordas and what some of the resulting changes look like.
From my discussion with Laura Beth in preparation for our interview, I learned that she leads workshops related to volunteer/stewardship strategy and creating a spirit of generosity and therefore, sustainability in our congregations.
Scroll down for more on Laura Beth Brown and links mentioned in this video.
GUEST INFORMATION
Laura Beth Brown is a 500-hr Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, an amateur grill chef, and the Director of Family Ministry at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, NJ.
She is primarily a vinyasa and prenatal yoga instructor with a therapeutic yoga lens and has certifications in Prenatal, Children’s Yoga, and Off The Mat Into the World (the bridge between yoga, self inquiry, and effective community action). As a singer/song-leader and harmonium player, she also leads call-and-response community singing known as kirtan, a form of Bhakti yoga, or the yoga of devotion. As a yogi, Laura Beth leads workshops in Bhakti Yoga, Prenatal yoga, and Conscious Activism.
In role as a religious educator, Laura Beth has led 12-hr workshops on Embracing Family Ministry with her Ministerial Supervisor, the Rev. Emilie Boggis, at this year’s Center Institute for ministers, and then again on Star Island for religious educators. Just last month, she presented at LREDA Fall Conference as well. She also leads workshops on volunteer strategy called Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining as a means of collective sustainability for congregations.
RELATED LINKS
Kim Sweeney and Courageous Faith Consulting
https://kimsweeney.com
The blog by Rev. Emmily Boggis “Reflections on Parenting in the Pew” may be found on the home page of the Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation website.
http://summitbeacon.org
The Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA)
https://www.lreda.org
Peter Bowden’s UU PLANET Facebook group for Unitarian Universalist congregational leaders, staff, and religious professionals.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/uuplanet
As always, please share this post with others who might appreciate this conversation.
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211109063546/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/interview-laura-beth-brown.png
In this session, I’m joined by the Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, Virginia. We discuss her congregation’s incredible membership growth — 101 new members over the last 2 years! Recorded Oct 31, 2018 via Facebook live in my UU PLANET Facebook group for UU leaders.
More notes from our conversation coming after Halloween!
UU Reston website
http://www.uureston.org
About the Rev. Dr. Debra Haffner
http://www.uureston.org/minister/
Rev. Dr. Debra Haffner’s books on Amazon
https://amzn.to/2D2nEYw
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211109041706/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/revdebraoct31.png
In this UU Planet Facebook live session, I share a brief case study on tweaking congregational website text to help people have that “these are my people!” experience.
Recently I visited two UU congregational websites back to back. The difference between them was staggering.
One was “Eh….” The other? I was instantly drawn in, inspired, and had a deep sense that “Ahhhhh, these are my people….”
There are lots of little adjustments we can make online which can impact whether people stay on your website or immediately bounce. We don’t want potential visitors bouncing off your site, we want them to stay, to learn, to connect, and eventually, to visit.
SAVE THE DATE
Dec 8th, 2018 I’m leading a special webinar for Canadian Unitarian congregations, sponsored by the Canadian Unitarian Council. We’re talking congregational social media strategy, outreach, and membership growth. Registration is open. If you register now, make sure to put it on your calendar. You’ll get an email reminder as well.
Grounded in core concepts from my Church Social Media and Membership Growth trainings, this webinar will be customized based on a review of CUC congregational websites and social media channels.
Sponsored by the Canadian Unitarian Council
Presentation by Peter Bowden, a Unitarian Universalist consultant specializing in congregational growth, outreach, and media. Peter has trained thousands of leaders across the United States and globally through his online programs.
Social media is fundamentally changing how people connect, learn, and make important life decisions. This includes how digitally oriented people are trying to connect with, research, and join congregations. This challenges us to integrate social media with our membership development efforts. On December 8th, Peter Bowden is offering a free webinar for Canadian Unitarian Council member congregations based on his popular Church Social Media and Membership Growth trainings. Peter is a Unitarian Universalist consultant specializing in congregational growth, outreach, and media. Over the past 15 years he’s trained thousands of leaders across the United States and globally via his online trainings. This program will include a 45-minute presentation followed by 30 minutes for questions. Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recording of the presentation.
Join us for this free webinar for CUC congregational leaders!
Further information and registration: Register for this webinar
Known for his work with congregational growth, outreach, and media, Peter is a popular Unitarian Universalist speaker, trainer, and coach. He has lead trainings across the United States and globally through his online programs. In addition to his work with congregations, Peter frequently consults with denominational leaders, nonprofits, and independent justice leaders.
SAVE THE DATE: Dec 8th I'm leading a special webinar for Canadian Unitarian Council congregations, sponsored by the @uuCanada. We're talking social media strategy and membership growth. https://t.co/u0tiFA96q2
— UU PLANET (@uuplanet) October 17, 2018
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211109033020/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/cuc-webinar-registration-page.png
In this Facebook Live session, I discuss UU congregational social media management and why a collaborative spirit and team approach are critical to success! This 23-minute session is for all congregational leaders including religious professionals, staff, and volunteers. Parish ministers and ministry leaders: A special message (cheer leading!) for you is included starting at 14 minutes into video. Unitarian Universalist leaders are invited to join my UU PLANET Facebook group. In this group I hold weekly live sessions on themes related to leading and growing UU congregations.
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211109021347/https://uuplanet.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/fblive-social-collaboration.png
WWUUD stream 
