Use Instagram to spread the word, Church urges clergy

NORMALLY the preserve of selfies or pho- tographs of meals out, Instagram is being recruited by the Church of England in an attempt to boost congregations.

Its clergy could be posting sermons and biblical quotes on the social media app. The CofE’s digital team has launched an ‘Introduction to Instagram’ to help clergy members who found it ‘hard to keep up with the latest digital trends and the platforms being used by young people’.

The intention is to teach them to use social media ‘strategically’ for ‘evangelism and discipleship’, and aims to train clergy in 1,000 parishes by Christmas, it was reported in the Daily Telegraph. The guidance advises every church to have a Facebook page, but the choice between Instagram and Twitter ‘depends on your audience’.

It described Instagram as ‘a great place to show the personality of your church, who attends and what kind of events and services you offer’.

Figures released in October last year revealed the Church has 1.2million followers who pray online through social media, but only 1.1million go to a CofE church to pray in the course of a typical month.