Social media use among young clergy: survey results Transition into Ministry (TiM) annual gathering, May 5, 2011
Introduction On May 5, 2011, the New Media Project surveyed a group of 68 young clergy persons gathered for the annual meeting of Lilly Endowment s Transition into Ministry (TiM) initiative (http://www.fteleaders.org/pages/tim). This was our first survey of social media use among young clergy persons. We intentionally asked for write-in answers instead of asking multiple-choice questions because we hoped to glean some insights from how the pastors responded in their own language. The next step will be to build a multiplechoice survey that can gather more precise data for easier analysis from other young clergy persons. We are grateful to both Chris Coble of Lilly Endowment, Religion Division, and Laura Mariko Cheifetz of the Fund for Theological Education for making the survey possible. For a written summary of some of the findings, go to TiM Young Clergy Survey (http://www.newmediaprojectatunion.org/pages/tim-young-clergy-survey/ default.aspx) on the New Media Project website. To see the data, please continue through this presentation.
68 surveys were completed Respondents Denominations represented: Baptist, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Reformed Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church Age range: 26 to 53 Age distribution 8% 32% 60% 41 under 30 22 are 31-39 5 are 40-53
Question #1 What networks particularly clergy networks do you participate in that use social media?
Q#1: networks using social media 55 people answered the question naming 72 different networks 34 people named more than one network 34 of the 72 networks named are specifically clergy networks (47%)
Q#1: types of networks named (top 4 responses) Of the 72 different networks named: 26 seem to be denominational (some answers were imprecise) 14 are geographical 11 are specific interest (e.g., hunger, children s ministries) 9 seem to be seminary-related (e.g., alumni groups)
Q#1: network platforms (top 8 responses) Of the 72 different networks named: Responses Facebook Email (possible listserv?) Blog Website Ning TwiTer Yahoo! or Google groups Other or unknown 8% 7% 7% 6% 6% 4% 13% 67% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Q#1: purpose of network (top 7 responses) 32 networks are for the purpose of friendship (46%) 14 networks are for preaching and sermon assistance and feedback (20%) 14 networks for idea and vision sharing (20%) 12 networks for professional networking 11 networks for news and information 9 for event advertising and publicity 9 for support of various kinds
Question #2 What social media tools do you use in your personal life?
Q#2: personal use of social media 66 people answered this question 39 of the 66 listed more than one platform 17 different platforms were named
Q#2: platforms for personal use of social media (top 5 responses) Of the 66 who answered: Responses Facebook 97% TwiTer Blogs 31% 30% Text messaging Email 11% 8% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Q#2: purpose of personal use of social media (top 4 responses) 66 of 66 listed staying in touch, friendship, keeping in touch, etc. (100%) 14 of 66 listed connecting or networking (22%) 12 listed information and news gathering (18%) 12 listed sharing stuff (18%)
Question #3 What social media tools do you use in your ministry?
Q#3: social media use in ministry 57 people answered this question 42 of the 57 listed more than one platform 13 different platforms were named
Q#3: social media platforms used for ministry (top 6 responses) Of the 57 who answered: Responses Facebook 83% Text messaging 46% Email Website TwiTer Blogs 20% 18% 16% 16% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Q#3: purpose of social media use in ministry (top 5 responses) 44 of 57 listed communicating with various groups (78%) 26 of 57 listed publicizing events, advertising, info sharing, etc. (48%) 16 listed connecting, keeping in touch, checking in, etc. (27%) 10 listed pastoral care(18%) 10 listed youth ministry (18%)
Question #4 In what areas of ministry do you use social media?
Q#4: areas of ministry using social media 52 answered this question 21 different areas were named (grouped responses) o 26 (50%) listed pastoral care o 15 (29%) listed worship o 11 (22%) listed evangelism/outreach/mission o 9 (18%) listed communication o 9 (18%) listed fellowship, community building o 8 (16%) listed announcements, info sharing, etc. o 7 (14%) listed administration, organization o 5 (10%) listed preaching o 3 (6%) listed event planning o 3 (6%) listed youth o 3 (6%) listed young adults o 1-2 people listed each of the following: advocacy, theological conversation, research, self care, stewardship, lay pastoral visits, questions