On Saturday, Oct. 16, the Beatitudes Society will host a Social Media for Ministry workshop at Southern Methodist University where Christian leaders will have the opportunity to learn about social media tools and how they can implement them into their ministry.

The workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, between Moore Hall and Perkins Chapel. Interested students, faculty, staff and local community members can anticipate learning about congregations that use social media, participating in hands-on tutorials for networking sites, and discussing the importance of integrating social media.

According to their website, The Beatitudes Society is a group that “develops and sustains a national network of emerging Christian leaders who advocate for justice, reclaim a Christianity that welcomes all people and articulate a Christianity that dares to speak and act for our fragile planet and out most vulnerable citizens.”

The Society seeks to help by preparing a variety of leadership development resources through areas such as school chapters, preaching workshops and summer fellowships.

Dr. Susanne Johnson, the associate professor of Christian education at SMU, believes the workshop will be beneficial.

“‘Social media’ is a new frontier, and a potential resource for church leaders to use in communicating with a generation for whom media savvy is as natural as no. 2 pencils were to my generation,” Johnson said. “People of my generation tend to face a learning curve in regard to use of social media.”

Kimberly Knight, a Beatitudes Society staff person, will lead the workshop on Saturday. She has over 15 years experience in various technological settings and currently pastors an online congregation.

According to Johnson, the United Methodist Church, located just outside the Boulevard, is already starting to experiment with different media. Brief video clips are being placed in the weekly online newsletter so parishioners can get a preview of the upcoming Sunday sermon. This tactic is designed to help pique interest and attendance.

Although Johnson organized and facilitated the workshop, she plans “to attend not as the leader or expert, but rather as a learner.”

The cost for students is $10 and $25 for all others. People are encouraged to register prior to the lecture at www.beatitudessociety.org/social-media, but walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Lunch is included in the workshop fee and a continental breakfast may also be enjoyed 30 minutes prior to the workshop.