Tickle Part 2 - Churches and New Media - How

The Art of Tickling -

How?

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G'day! Welcome to Partakers and we are on day 2 of the series "The Art of Tickling" addressing the question of "How can traditional churches and those with older congregations use new media without excluding people?"

Use the talents of people!

I think that everybody has some measure of talent that can be used, including those who would ordinarily be dismissed from having any input into Christian worship and thinking, such as the elderly and those we earlier identified as being from the excluded group! We have to use people's talents, knowledge and wisdom, whatever it maybe, and whoever they maybe, and put them online using New Media! We combine those talents, knowledge and wisdom with the methods of New Media: Websites, Blogs, Mobile Applications, Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Video and Audio. We have to also ensure these people are safe! Don't disclose too much personal information about them! Also ensure they get some measure of feedback, because that will encourage them to do more! Things that can be put on with New Media are photography, poetry, bible talks, testimonies, hobbies, interests and short stories. We could make an impact using New Media!

New Media Activity Days!

Another idea is New Media Days at your church, or churches together! You could hold a regular event, say quarterly, at your church where people can come and contribute something using New Media. For want of a better name call it a New Media Activity Day or something like that.  It would be a good way to get the younger members of the church to interact with the slightly less young members of the church! Using New Media to build and encourage the churches helps build stronger communities..

Prayer is the key!

Another idea of how to include people in this new media is to get them to pray for people you tickle and interact with online! Facebook and Twitter are rife with prayer requests from people! Take those prayer requests and sensitively get members of your church to pray! Get them interested! What a great way to include them! If possible, do ask however the person needing prayer if you can ask others though, as some people may not want you to! You don't need to give names or even initials - God knows their name!

Get Beside People!

Somebody could get beside them regularly and help them - building community! For example, they could record several podcasts or videos at one time and then distributed over a long period of time.  Or it could be once a month or whatever! Have regular monthly spots on your church blog so that on the 5^th of each month, people know who will be on!  Here is a good example! In your Church, I reckon the ladies there have amazing recipes! Why not garner the recipes, put online - with photographic evidence and taste tests!  Another way we can include those who wouldn't necessarily want to be involved in New Media! For example, on the 5^th of November Marjory shares a recipe she has used for years! This particular poem was recorded by George who can't get out much but has a fine strong voice still. Somebody has taken the time to be with these two people, has taken Marjory's recipe, had it recorded by George on a smart phone and put it online! How about that for a bit of tickling?

Use People's skills!

The elderly, in particular, have a lot of knowledge and wisdom which can be distributed.  The retired company chairman has invaluable advice she could give in regards to how the unemployed people in your church and community could do better to make them more employable.  Writing interview and application tips for example!

No Technology? No Problem!

Now here is a potential problem! For those without access to technology, there is the use of facilities in most libraries. Where I live, the libraries run courses for those wanting to know more about being online! Whatever the person's interest is, it can be put online! Or how about this! Passing on older technology for people to use! We all upgrade at some point, so why not give on the obsolete technology to those who maybe able to use it! And even help them to use it!

Go!

• Get people to pray for those you interact with using New Media!
• Get those people to pray for YOU as you use and develop New Media.
• Get beside people and get them using New Media!
• Have regular New Media Activity Days!

We can do it! Let's go tickle! Now, you may well be here representing a large church! Go for it - you have the numbers! What is stopping you? Or you may be here representing a small church. You can go tickling with New Media as well... Whatever church you represent, here is a bit of a radical idea. How about getting churches to work together in some way as a New Media expression within your local community? Use your blogs and other New Media to reach out into your local communities. Be willing to participate in New Media activities of your community. Large numbers of local communities are represented on Facebook. Instead of starting a new page for your church there, be willing contributors on the community page.

Go! Let's go Tickle with New Media!

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