LinkedIn for Churches – Starting the Conversation

I had the opportunity this Monday to meet with Sherwin and Matthew from Browncroft. They serve as leaders in the church and community. We met to discuss what they have learned from engaging on LinkedIn.

Following the meeting, Sherwin sent me this email on LinkedIn, and I’m sharing it with his permission:

Many of my customers don’t know that they need the solutions my company provides. We know they need us, but it is a latent need. The power of asking them questions on LinkedIn helps them to realize that they have a need, that they don’t have all the answers, or that there is a better way, then I can lead them to a solution. If I lead with the solution, they will dismiss it because they don’t think they need what we have to offer. I think the value proposition (to use corporate lingo) for the church is exponentially more than a for-profit corporation. Most people don’t realize that they need to hear the Good News, short of a major crisis in their lives, unless we help them discover that latent need. There are so many good questions we could ask about the meaning of life, work, and play. It’s worth crafting a strategy to reach people.

An Email from Sherwin Damdar

His email reminds us of why churches need to engage in LinkedIn and social media. The church you serve can offer the life-changing hope of Jesus Christ amid a chaotic and broken world.

LinkedIn provides churches with a unique opportunity to engage leaders and the marketplace. This platform has become far more than resumes; but a place for people to connect. Also, several people on LinkedIn might not engage with any other platform.

First, I want to take a moment to share a few resources for you to consider as a church leader to engage LinkedIn personally and as an organization:

• The Social Media Church Podcast with Kenny Jahng
• Six Benefits of a LinkedIn Presence for Your Church
• Nils Smith – Crushing LinkedIn in 2021
• Leveraging the Link with Ben DeCastro

Based on our conversation on Monday with Matthew and Sherwin, I wanted to take a moment to share a few considerations for churches on LinkedIn.

Engage People in LinkedIn from the Church You Serve.

I learned so many valuable insights about LinkedIn from Sherwin and Matthew. Value the expertise within the church you serve. Take time to ask them questions about engaging in LinkedIn and social media.

Shape the Content for the LinkedIn Audience.

Recently, we shared a Why God Why Podcast with our Executive Pastor Mike Pitts on the question – Why should I consider a career change? In our conversation on Monday, that podcast episode came up time after time.

As a church, you might have a podcast, a message on work, or other content specific for LinkedIn. There are leaders within the church you serve on this platform. Consider the questions they’re asking and see what you already have to respond to those issues.

Communicate How the Church is Making a Difference in the Community.

How are you helping the neighborhood and community around you thrive? LinkedIn is a platform to share about how individuals and organizations are making a difference. Share about the people serving from the church and the partners you support. LinkedIn can become a space where people realize the value of the church you serve.

Make Meaningful Connections.

Recently, I noticed a LinkedIn post of a person from Browncroft who got a job in the organization of another person from the church. Amid a time where we have difficulty seeing each other in person, you can celebrate the career wins and connect with others. LinkedIn helps you see the people’s critical milestones in the church you serve differently from other social media platforms.

Encourage People to Put Their Church Volunteer Experience in Their Profile.

Yesterday, I shared about the social media volunteers. One of the volunteers recently added their experience in Browncroft. It’s a simple way people can make connections on LinkedIn with you and others.

What thoughts do you have about churches engaging on LinkedIn? Share your thoughts in the comment below.

Photo by inlytics | LinkedIn Analytics Tool on Unsplash