New Communicators Network Facebook Group provides a safe space for collaboration and conversation

Another perk of joining the Presbyterian Communicators Network

By Melody K. Smith  | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — The new Communicators Network Facebook Group has launched to connect church communicators with one another and extend the conversations to educate, inspire and support their communities.

Gail Strange

The Presbyterian Communicators Network was established in 2004 and has since evolved into various ways of engaging with communicators in churches and mid councils who are tasked with engaging their congregations and communities. There are newsletters, workshops, a website full of resources on crisis communications, media relations, etc., and now a comprehensive approach to social media support.

“Our workshops have always been a favorite feature of the Communicators Network,” said Gail Strange, director of Church & Mid Council Communications. “We are happy to be able to continue those virtually and now add the benefit of networking and crowdsourcing through the Facebook Group.”

Social media gives a church or mid council more opportunities to reach its members, the people in their community and those searching for more to life. It’s a way to engage directly in a manner that they’re comfortable with, where they are and in their own time. However, social media can often be an uncomfortable, or unsafe, space to have deep conversations about faith and communicating faith.

DeEtte Decker

“Changes in social media are happening daily, especially in Facebook,” says DeEtte Decker, social media strategist for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “It is a constant challenge to keep your content relevant, while still engaging with your intended audience in a meaningful way.”

The Communicators Network Facebook Group provides a safe space for collaboration and conversation among PC(USA) church communicators on effective communication tools and strategies.

With a robust supportive community, members can look forward to the latest tips, best practices and social media content ideas.

Members can look forward to Monday Minutes — a 60-second tip each week related to communications, Friday Freebies — free resources such as graphics packs or information on free resources communicators can use, and a Social Media Survival Tool Kit.

But it isn’t one-directional — they also want to hear from church communicators. What challenges, questions and opportunities as a church communicator do they want to address and resource?

“Social media is far more than a publishing platform. It’s a place to capture people’s attention, connect with supporters and build communities,” said Decker. “As communities of faith, we need to adopt an attitude of curiosity and collaboration, being willing to support and encourage others.”

Join the Presbyterian Communicators Network here, register for the next workshop here,  and visit the Communicators Network Facebook Group here.