Mastering social media is like learning a new language

    You recently attended a conference on social media along with several other U.S. bishops. Who sponsored the meeting?
    The meeting was sponsored by the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI). Their great claim to fame is their work with priests through a program called “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds.” That two-year program is an opportunity for priests to come to a deeper understanding of pastoral administration and leadership within priestly ministry. I encourage all of our younger priests who are preparing to be pastors to go through “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds.” CLI also provides leadership training for laypeople working in dioceses through a program called “Tending to Talents.” For the last five years, they’ve been providing leadership training for bishops. I serve as their episcopal moderator, so I go on all of these workshops for bishops, and I’ve certainly enjoyed them.
    How did they break down the subject of the social media?
    First, they asked us to define what is the good news of the Gospel that we are called to preach. The rest of the workshop gave us the opportunity to look at the social media in terms of its great potential impact on evangelization.
    Which social media did you discuss?
    The experts they brought in from all around the United States helped us clarify and come to a better understanding of Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, LinkedIn, eBlogger, Flickr and Twitter. We had a chance to deal with some controversial matters by videotaping one another in role-playing news conferences in areas of challenge. It was an opportunity for the bishops to talk about not only using social media, but also to discuss some of the ways we have found it challenging to have these resources available to us.
    What do you think you learned?
    We all came away knowing and believing that if we are truly going to be effective in our ministry today – and if we’re going to invite youth and young adults to embrace the Catholic faith – then we have to be involved in social media. Blessed John Paul II himself said, “Do not be afraid of new technologies. These rank among the marvelous things which God has placed at our disposal.” We can’t be afraid.
    How would rate yourself as a social media practitioner?
    I would describe myself not a “beginner” – given the fact that I’ve just gotten on to Facebook. But I’m learning a lot and I think I’m on the right road. I also intend to resume my video blogs in August.
    How difficult is it to have all this knowledge from your religious and administrative training but then feel as though you have to go back to school to learn new methods of communication?
    I’m not going to kid you, it’s challenging, especially at my age. I didn’t grow up with the social media. We joked during the conference that if there are questions we can’t answer or technologies we don’t know how to use, we need to hire a young person – maybe 8, 9 or 10 years old – to show us how to do these things. Some of the presenters at the conference were young adults who are really adept at this. I think this challenges me to use every possible opportunity to get into the minds and the hearts of the people of God. We need to be able to use all the means that are available to us. And while the print media still does that, there are many other opportunities that we can’t overlook.
    Do you ever get frustrated by how much you don’t know?
    Certainly, as I get older, the tediousness of technology brings out the very best of my impatience. But I’m really learning how to squeeze the most out of 140 or fewer characters. When in doubt, abbreviate!
    Questions for Archbishop Aymond may be sent to [email protected].