Introduction – Part 1: Setting the Stage
Welcome to an exciting experiment aimed at enlightening churches about the intricacies of TikTok and how it can be harnessed for effective ministry. Over the next six months, I will document the journey of LifePointe Church’s social media transformation, sharing insights and practical tips along the way.
My Background: From Business Owner to Pastor
Allow me to introduce myself. I am a pastor who, at the age of 54, has embraced God’s calling to help churches navigate the digital landscape. My journey to this point has been anything but conventional.
The Early Years: Business and Marketing
Before becoming a pastor, I owned and operated a small business in Kansas City for 16 years. I wasn’t always the best operator, but my passion for sales and marketing kept the business afloat. Back then, guerrilla marketing was our lifeline. We couldn’t afford expensive Yellow Page ads, so we relied on word of mouth, direct mail, and follow-up phone calls on a landline. Eventually, we embraced the internet, developed a website, and explored Google AdWords and social media.
The Transformation: Embracing Faith and Ministry
I wasn’t a Christian until my early forties. My journey to faith was transformative, leading me to close my business around 2014 to pursue ministry. I was surprised to find that many churches had little to no social media presence, mainly using it to communicate with existing members. The COVID-19 pandemic forced churches to livestream services, pushing them into the digital realm.
Experimentation: Finding My Footing in Social Media
During this time, I began experimenting with social media. I wrote blog posts, opened a Twitter account, and started a YouTube channel where I interviewed people about Christ. I taught Sunday School lessons on Facebook and learned what worked and what didn’t. Despite the learning curve, I realized that churches could no longer afford to ignore social media—it’s where the world’s attention is today.
Two years ago, I decided to take social media seriously. I committed to writing a daily blog post and building a community on Twitter X. Today, my blog posts generate about 10,000 reads a month, and my Twitter X community has grown to 71,000 followers. This journey has reignited my passion for marketing and connected me with a broader audience.
LifePointe’s Starting Point: A New Beginning
Now, I want to bring you along as I help LifePointe Church in Fulton, Missouri. Led by my good friend, Pastor Travis Boyt, LifePointe is a young church with only one camera and no social media presence. Their TikTok account has just one follower—me. Here’s a snapshot of their starting point:
- TikTok Followers: 1
- Current Setup: One camera, high on the wall
The Plan: Transforming LifePointe’s TikTok
Our goal is to grow LifePointe’s TikTok following by regularly posting clips from their sermons. Here’s how we’ll do it:
- Identify Engaging Content: Select impactful sermon clips.
- Edit for TikTok: Optimize videos for the platform’s format and audience.
- Regular Posting: Maintain a consistent posting schedule.
- Engage with Followers: Respond to comments and encourage interaction.
Join the Journey: Call to Action
Follow along as we document LifePointe’s progress, and feel free to share your thoughts and experiences. Check out the links below for more information on my media company and LifePointe Fulton’s social media.
Links:
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy this experiment as much as I will. Let’s see how we can use social media to spread God’s word and reach new audiences. Feel free to comment and provide feedback on the videos—we’d love to hear from you!
To learn about going viral…click here.
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