#CHRISTOGRAM

Called to become a graphical image of Christ

SHOUT 2015 Workshop

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom
they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can
they hear without someone to preach?”
Romans 10:13-14

OBJECTIVES:

1. To make every youth leaders understand that they are called to invade the social media by
using it as a platform in being and bringing Christ
2. To enable the youth leaders in effectively utilizing the social media as tool for evangelization
3. To help the Youth Leaders understand and value the importance of building and protecting their
integrity in the world of social media

SPEAKERS PROFILE:
Preferably a fulltime pastoral worker who utilizes his / her social media account purposefully by
creating an “evangelistic NOISE” in the social media through her posts. Someone who
deliberately proclaims Christ in the social networking sites.

DYNAMICS:
1. The workshop speaker should stalk the faceboook accounts of the SHOUT participants. He / she
should look for the oldest, funniest, thought-provoking posts; then screen grab or download the
photos.
2. Ensure that everyone will have an access to their facebook accounts and the participants are
asked to secure a smartphones/laptop/ any gadget prior to the workshop.
3. Before the workshop proper, the speaker will ask the participants to log-on to their facebook
accounts and review their timeline for 3 minutes. They will then be asked to trade their gadgets
with their seatmates and review the other person’s account for 5 minutes. They are to look for
the oldest, funniest, most unfavorable posts.
4. After the activity, the photos and screen—grabbed status, researched beforehand, shall be
shown to the group.
5. Workshop proper and processing of the activity
6. Post Workshop Activity:
a. The group should decide a hashtag which they will be using to categorize their SHOUT 2015
related posts. The group should make sure that there will be no duplication of the hashtag
with the other areas.
b. Everyone should post one realization each day using the hashtag decided by the group.
Failure to do so shall have an equivalent punishment decided by SHOUT master.

WORKSHOP OUTLINE:

I. INTRODUCTION
 On the 44th World’s Communication day, Pope Emeritus Benedict challenged the priest,
“Priests should use the Internet to evangelize more.”

The Emerging spread of social media communication challenges us, the lay faithful, to not
just be present in the social network but to leave a mark of Christ by utilizing this platform
to be witnesses of the Gospel and proclaim the good news. The digital world of today can
bring us to endless horizon; it enables us to reach the young to the ends of the Earth.

CHRISTOGRAM means: A graphical symbol of Christ (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) thus, as

YFC leaders, we are to take part in the fulfillment of the vision of youth for Christ: “Young
people, being and being Christ wherever they are” by being a graphical image of Christ in
the Social Network.

Social Media is a gift, for it helps us to connect to more people and it hastens our
evangelization reach --- only if we use it with a purpose.

II. Leaving a Mark of Christ

This selfie generation is shaping the world to foster a culture of “me, myself and I.” We, as
bearers of the name of Christ are challenged to utilize the Social Networking sites as a
platform in proclaiming the greatness of God who lives in us. We are to leave a mark of
Christ every time we logged on to our personal social media accounts.

A. 4 E’s Of Social Media Evangelization

1. ENGAGE
Use your social media account to communicate, not to have a monologue
preaching. Post conversation-starting status, photos, links rather than preachy-deal
closing ones. Effective communications entails exchange of thoughts between
sender and the receiver. Social Media is all about relationships, community and
content. Be sure that you are able to connect with your target audience.

2. EDUCATE AND INSPIRE

Consider the relevance of your post. What does your posts trying to convey? What
is your realization after you prayed today? What are you most grateful for? What
are the things that you value? What are your study tips that you can share to
others? Is there any video that inspires and uplifts you?
Post a status, upload, share a link or make a blog. You don’t know who can be
blessed with a single click!
In social media marketing, remember the kind of people whom you are engaging in
the social network:
(a.) One – third of the people will get the message immediately. These are not
hard to interact, they are your captured audience.
(b.) One-third of the people will get it eventually (when you feel like flooding your
account with preachy bible verse/ quote, think of this people because they
might be inspired by your posts or be annoyed by your posts that oversaturates
or flood their newsfeed. When your posts appear to be “hard-sell preachy”, a
great chance of these people will ignore your posts.
 (c.) One – third of the people will never get it. They might be those people whom
you don’t share same beliefs, values and opinions. They are those who might
leave an argument-stirring and temper-provoking comments on your posts.
When you encounter these people, never allow yourself to be trapped in an
argument of two people with different beliefs. Before you give in to any debate,
bear in mind that we are to love and anything that we do should be an
expression of love. Never rely the validity of your posts by the number of likes
and the favorable comments you receive.
3. EXCITE
After engaging and educating your followers, you need to keep them coming back
for more. This is where creativity kicks in and you begin generating contents that
continues conversation. Offer them something new, inject humor; be creative yet
relevant.
4. EVANGELIZE
Your social media account should inspire people to do something – call to action.
Evangelize to a point that anyone who read your posts will be compelled to be an
advocate on what you believe in. Evangelize to a point where those who have been
evangelized will evangelize too – create a ripple effect.

B. The Art Of #Hashtagging

1. Use them to categorize your message. Hashtags originated as a way to define and
assemble topics of conversation online so that users could track down posts related
to a group or event they were interested in. When you upload social media content,
use hashtags to further describe its purpose and the value it offers to its audience.
For example, if your content relates to a topic like #blessed #summer
#thankyouLord, say so by using a hashtag. Use hashtags with prudence, it has to be
proper and should coincide with the message that you want to convey.

2. Keep them short, sweet, and fun - This is especially true when posting to Twitter
because of the 140 character limit that could quickly be used up. The other reason
is that hashtags are best served when they are fun and/or thought-provoking.
#ComeTo ChurchToday may not be as impactful as say #ChurchTime

3. Check to see if the hashtag is being used already - There is a difference with simply
wanting to be a part of the current conversation or starting one of your own. If you
want your message or thoughts to become a part of an existing conversation then
use a hashtag that is popular for that topic. These are typically generic topic
phrases (i.e. #Catholic). If you want to start your own unique conversation then you
want to do a simple search on the social networks (i.e. Twitter, Google+, Instagram,
Facebook) or at Hashtags.org to see what’s being used. Although you cannot “own”
or control who uses your hashtag, using one in use already that has items not within
your intended theme could stop your conversation dead in its tracks right out of the
gate. This principle is essential especially in choosing the hashtags for promotion of
conferences, campaigns or any event in your area.
 4. Use them to start a topic trend. While most of the hashtags you include in your
posts will already exist and serve the utilitarian purpose of getting your content
found, hashtags can also afford an opportunity to showcase your creativity.
Remember, before Selfie became the 2013 word of the year and before the 57
million photos were shared using #Selfie, an unknown Instagram account owner
used the #Selfie as caption of her self-taken photo first. We all have the capacity to
create a TREND! So think of a creative hashtag!

5. Above all, use them wisely, and sparingly. This may sound counterintuitive, but as
useful as incorporating hashtags can be, it’s also possible to overdo it. Too many of
them in a single post and your message will read like spam, which could alienate
social media content consumers, or cause them to tune you out. Limit your hashtags
up to three per post only. Think of viewers of your content as readers: Ultimately,
too many hashtags weakens the impact of the message you’re trying to relay.
Include them, by all means. But always do so in moderation.

6. Don’t limit yourself to one social network – the more social network you use, the
wider the reach of your hashtag.

C. The Power of Images

According to Trend Reports, between 65 and 85 percent of people describe themselves

as visual learners. This means they digest information more easily by viewing an image
instead of reading text. Having this, it is apt to utilize your smartphones, get an
Instagram account an upgrade your evangelization tool!
Here are the basic tips in using photos as tool for evangelization:
1. Capture the Audience’s Attention. Most people have a limited attention span. In an
information age where data can quickly become overwhelming, people have to pick
and choose among plenty of content options, all begging for their attention.

When there’s a long winded post with nothing but text, it can turn many visitors off
because they simply don’t have time to read through it. However, incorporating
images is a natural way to grab attention. It’s the perfect motivating force to
encourage visitors to stick around and explore content in greater detail.

2. Drive the point Home. Make sure that your caption is congruent with your photo.
Your audience may be confused with what you are trying to imply when all they see
in your feeds are self-taken photos of yourself

3. Add a Splash of Color. The right pictures are also an easy way provide an element of
contrast. Line after line of text quickly becomes boring. Images can solve this
problem by making posts more vibrant and visually stimulating. They can take a
somewhat boring post and spice it up.
 4. Use Proper #Hashtag. This will broaden the reach of your photos

5. Use Instagram. Instagram is growing faster and is becoming popular. It is highly

used, especially by the young. Be updated, be where they are for this will enhance
your interaction with your audience.

III. Being and Bringing Christ in the Social Network: Social Media Etiquette

“I, then a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received”
- Ephesians 4:1

The best tool for evangelization is the life that we are living in which, in the social media, our
lives can be viewed with one click in our accounts. What we post and share represents who
we are. Our social media account is a powerful tool that conveys a message. As top leaders
of youth for Christ, let us just have one image, an image of another Christ in the social media
world. Let us be guided of the following etiquette as YFC leaders:

1. Treat facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc. as a public place BECAUSE IT IS! It is always
wise to think before you click. Treat everything that you post as if it can be seen or read
by your parents, siblings, instructors, priest, best friend, police, cousins, madman, etc. --
- make sure you will not regret when they read your post today or tomorrow.

2. Don’t tweet mostly about yourself. What you are doing, speaking engagements, travel,
how cool you are. Although we are in this “selfie” generation, but remember that we
are not of this “selfie” generation. We are to tell the world how great God is not
“humble-brag” on how great and cool we are.

3. Ladies this one is for you: DO NOT LEAD MEN TO SIN

a. Never post provocative photos – Pictures of you and your friends in bikinis or
photos of you in a party with revealing cleavage is enticing to men. Do not allow
yourself to be objects of some man’s fantasy.

b. Glamour shots should be under scrutiny – be selective and conservative in

posting glamour shots.

c. Never allow non-friends to view your album - use that “friends only” privacy
option.

4. Gentlemen this one is for you: Be a gentleman.

a. Women can read your posts too! So do not post shirtless photos or provoking
videos you got from the net.

b. Do not use social media as an avenue to search for your next fling.
 5. Be an ambassador of our advocacies. Do not confuse your friends with the photos that
you are posting with the words that you are preaching. As advocates of 100% Free, do
away from photos with alcoholic beverages even if you don’t “ACTUALLY DRINKING” –
you cannot explain this to people who will be seeing your post. As A+ advocate; do not
post: EXAM Week is HELL Week. Be an YFC advocate, let your posts say so.

6. When someone post something that you think must be addressed, then do it in
private. Never reprimand someone on the comment box of a provoking post, this will
widen the reach of his/her post if you do so. Bear in mind that when someone likes or
comments a post, this will appear to someone else’s newsfeed. Are we not taught to
correct in private and honor in public?

7. Stay away from Social Media when you are angry, disappointed, mad, or you just had
a fight with your siblings. Chances are, you will be using your accounts as catharsis to
your negativities and end up being in trouble.

8. Don’t flaunt your romantic relationships by having public interactions on social media.
Talk to people privately. Email, chat, direct message will do just fine. As youth leaders,
there are a lot of young YFCs who are looking up to us. We might be sending wrong
signals to them that it is good to be in relationship because of our social media PDAs.

9. Don’t crowd your social feeds with “check-ins” from all the glamorous places you’ve
been. #Humblebrag

10. Disconnect. Social Media brings us closer even to people who are far away from us but
this may not make us isolated from real person around us right here and right now. No
video, nor great photos nor tear-jerky posts on someone else’s timeline can beat the
authenticity of your personal presence. Do not expect your members to be inspired by
your mere posts or your direct messages. They need the real persona where they can
feel the presence using their five senses. Your personal presence matters to your
members.

IV. CONCLUSION

“It is not enough to be passersby on the digital highways, simply ‘connected’; connections
need to grow into true encounters. We cannot live apart, closed in on ourselves. We need to
love and be loved. We need tenderness.” –Pope Francis

Social media is a gift that we have to use well. The generation of today is in the social
network, we need to be where they are and bring Christ there. Let us do our mission in
making Christ real in the vast world of social media.
---

Sources:

1. Tessa Wegert content marketing Institute.com

2. The ART OF HASHTAGGING by catholictechtalk.com

3. The Power of Images in Social Media Marketing Jayson DeMers Sendible Insights.com

4. Facebook Etiquette for Christians by Fidesviva.com