While social media can be a distraction in more ways than one, I think every worship leader should use it.
Not just as a time-waster, but as a way to improve your role as a worship leader in the local church.
Here are 12 reasons why I think you should use social media:
1. To celebrate others – when you see the success of other worship leaders and songwriters, you have the opportunity to break out of your bubble and celebrate them. It’s good for you.
2. To stay connected – It’s healthy for you to stay rooted in your local community. It’s not healthy for you to isolate yourself. Social media allows you to stay connected with friends across the world and down the street.
3. Encouragement – There have been times when I’ve been very discouraged after leading worship. It helps to know others are experiencing the same things.
4. Hear about new songs – Whether on Twitter, blogs, or websites, social media is the best way to learn about new songs. Connect with other worship leaders and you’ll find they’re always talking about their set lists.
5. Make new friends – I can honestly say that I’ve made some significant friendships on my blog and Twitter. I ask advice, share ideas, and look forward to meeting many (of you) in person someday.
6. Stay cutting edge – We all grow stagnant. Our methods become outdated. I don’t think there’s a better way to keep a pulse on what is cutting edge than with social media. If you know how to use it, it’s much easier to stay current.
7. Get free stuff – Blogs are always giving away free stuff. I’ve received many free books and music simply by reading blogs. Always a nice perk.
8. Learn from the best – Social media puts you closer to high profile leaders than has ever been possible in history. No longer can you use the excuse, “I don’t have a mentor”. While a face to face mentor is great, in the meanwhile, subscribe to great blogs and learn like a madman.
9. Test out your ideas – wanting to try something new in your services next weekend? Throw your idea out on Twitter. You’ll get some real time feedback from others who may have tried the same thing or something similar. Always helpful.
10. Collaborate – a few days ago i published a post, highlighting the input of 5 creative leaders. It turned out to be a fascinating post because it formed a unique collaboration between leaders, sharing their particular viewpoint. Social media provides endless opportunities for collaboration.
11. Co-songwriting – whether it’s through email, Skype, Facebook group, or maybe even Twitter, it’s possible to co-write a song with someone you’ve never met in completely different locations. The spreading of ideas has become so much easier.
12. To spread your influence – Social media can be a place where you contribute. Sadly, most people simply consume. If you have an idea or a message to spread, stop thinking about it and start spreading it. Rather than reacting to what everyone else is doing, release some positive change in the world.
In order to do this, you need to be intentional. Don’t just open up your Twitter feed and see what everyone is up to. Use it intentionally to encourage, connect, ask a question, thank someone for their ministry. Read blogs, comment, and contribute to worship leader discussions.
Decide before your day starts that you won’t just react to your social media outlets but that you’ll execute a plan.
This is my daily social media plan.
Maybe you’ve avoided social media because you “don’t have time” or don’t understand it. Maybe you’re already using social media but you don’t have a plan.
Try something new today. Craft a plan and do it.
Question: How has social media helped you as a worship leader? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
For me the co-writing aspect has been clinch of late. I’ve been writing worship songs with people I’d never have the time to meet up with, and it slows the process down and actually – in the long run – keeps us from rushing the process and calling a song “done” before it’s ready. I’ve been loving it.
That’s great, Shannon. Do you use Skype?
Sometimes, but more often than not, after an initial Skype session, we just email additions/recordings/charts back & forth or put them in dropbox.
For instance, this one was written entirely via email: http://tinyurl.com/4y4d3l4
Dude the “anchor” line is killer!
i really like all the reasons. it’s alittle different for me cause I write spanish worship songs for me, my church, and my band. I love it. But it’s so hard to find “connections” with artist of the same language as me. but i deal with it. I really like coming to sites like yours. it really puts new perspectives all things i thought really didn’t have much meaning…
one of the things i would love to influence to our ‘”spanish churches” out there is that it’s ok for us young guys to take your beloved old hymn or “corito” (folk song passed down) and change them to pass down to another generation….
now i’m just rambling…..thanks david…that was a good one…
It’s awesome that you write Spanish worship songs! Very cool. I think whether a worship leader leads English or Spanish worship songs, the same principles can apply. Would love to hear any insight you have into worship in a Spanish speaking culture.
Well for sure one thing….we love to dance!!! lol…we are very Loud in corporate worship. lol….I’m a little more conservative in that aspect of my leading worship…but it all works…
Yeah I love writing spanish worship songs but i also love to write about other things to…i call myself a writing scitzo so i want to write about everything! lol…
lately though i’ve been talking old folk songs that have been sung in the spanish culture for decades and changing them up to a little more modern style….so far i’ve gotten great feedback from my church friends so i hope i’m doing something right. lol…
Nothing wrong with being a writing scitzo 🙂
greatness! i’ve recently had the opportunity to meetup and make connections with a few worship leaders in my community via twitter and fb and they are turning into great relationships, which i hope will turn collaborative before long.
Awesome, Patrick. Keep being intentional about it. Very cool.
Thanks for this David, I’m feeling super jazzed now on the potential hidden in my twitter/Facebook/blog… I have definitely picked up some great ideas from reading other worship leaders, new songs definitely being the biggest, but also a lot of refocusing on what the goal of worship leading is. With so many other voices and opinions about what I should be doing, it’s nice to take refuge in other worship leader’s thoughts for a while and be reminded of the “why’s” and the fact that none of us are alone in the challenges.
I’m looking forward to your daily plan tips, ’cause I feel like my social media wheels have been spinning for a whIle now. I guess what I’m saying is “hurry up!” 😉
I’ll get right on it, Shawn! Welcome to the comments, btw.