Straightforward Social Media: A Strategic, Transformative, "Less Stressful" Approach to Social Media for Churches, Ministries, and Nonprofit Organizations is a hybrid course designed specifically for church media managers, volunteers, ministry leaders, and staff who are ready to move beyond simply "posting content" and develop a purposeful, strategic social media presence. 
 
Whether you are the tech-savvy staff member struggling to post consistently, the accidental social media manager who inherited the role without training, or a ministry leader unsure of where to begin, this course provides a clear pathway to confidence and effectiveness. 
 
Many churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations face common challenges: inconsistent posting, limited time and resources, uncertainty about platform best practices, and difficulty measuring impact. 
 
This course addresses those obstacles by equipping participants with practical systems, proven strategies, and easy-to-implement tools that make social media ministry both manageable and impactful. Throughout the course, participants will learn how to create structure and consistency through realistic content planning, streamlined workflows, and sustainable scheduling practices. 
 
Beyond content creation, Straightforward Social Media focuses on thinking critically about what we choose to publicize online, practicing Netiquette (how we engage with others online), and implementing ethical guidelines as we expand our ministry's reach. You'll uncover strategies for fostering online community, encouraging interaction, and extending your organization's mission beyond physical walls through digital outreach.
 
By the end of this training, you'll feel less overwhelmed, reactive, or uncertain about how to regularly integrate social media and other digital assets into your ministry toolkit. You'll leave with more confidence to communicate a clear social media strategy to your congregation or team, complete with a framework for creating consistent content, engaging your audience or congregation, and maximizing platform effectiveness for ministry impact.
 
The Straightforward Social Media course is more than social media training. It is a roadmap for helping churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations communicate with purpose, connect with people, and advance their mission in the digital age.

Important Information

• You will need your own laptop computer to fully participate in the in-person sessions of this course.
• This is a hybrid course. There are three in-person sessions throughout the course.
• Multiple registrations from the same organization are encouraged. If you're already working with someone on your organization's social media, sign up to take this course together!

Location

In-person sessions will take place at the Harrington Center at Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030.

Course Leader

Chassidy Goggins supports the needs of organizations and high performers through administration, digital marketing, and media communications. She does this because she believes that collaboration and innovation, coupled with strategy, are key to advancing vision. She is currently the Media and Marketing Coordinator for the Center of Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary, a doctoral student in the school's educational ministry program (DeEdMin), and a 2024 graduate of its Master's in Practical Theology (MAPT) program.

Schedule

This is a hybrid course. There are three in-person sessions (January 12th, 19th and 26th) and some online interaction on Moodle. See full schedule below.

A light continental breakfast and refreshments will be provided during the three in-person sessions.