The next generation of parishioners is growing up online, but it may not be with a PC. They surf the web, update their status, text and tweet all from their phone. The Church has an unprecedented opportunity to reach people where they are, whenever they need to. In this workshop we’ll explore mobile communication trends, the opportunity for the church, and solutions that can help get you there.

1. Mobile Technologies and Your
Ministry
Joe Luedtke
Vice President, Liturgical Publications
jluedtke@4lpi.com
@cathtechtalk

2. Why is a Church
Bulletin Company
talking about
technology?

3. The Next Generation of Parishioners Are
Growing Up Online
But they may not be using computers!

4. One-third of all US teens with cell phones text over one hundred
messages a day. (Source: Pew Research Center)

5. “Teens, Cell Phones, and Texting” Pew Research Center.

6. Teens and Cell Phone Use
• Calling is still a central function, but primarily with parents.
• Girls text more than boys (80 text messages / day versus 30).
• For parents, Cell Phones are an area of conflict and
regulation.
• Schools typically treat cell phones as a disruptive force. Only
12% of students say they can use their cell phone anytime.
• Cell phones bridge the digital divide for those without
computers or high-speed Internet.
• And for those post-teens (18-29)…
– 19% have donated via text message
– If they use their phone to reach the Internet, more than half use it daily.
“Teens, Cell Phones, and Texting” Pew Research Center.

7. But Its Not Just Teens
Microsoft Tag

8. And
Mobile is
Still
Growing
Microsoft Tag

9. And
Growing!
Microsoft Tag

10. Microsoft Tag

11. Microsoft Tag

12. Remember when a phone was used to
call someone?
Microsoft Tag

13. You Need to Understand that Mobile is
Different
• Its always with us and available
• Its not just an input device. Push technology is
increasingly common
• Its location aware
– Google now estimates that 20% of its searches are for things
nearby
– Facebook Mobile, Twitter Mobile, and Foursquare let you make
connections with both people and things nearby
– Restaurants and businesses are jumping on this bandwagon by
offering specials. What should we offer?

14. Our Challenge and Opportunity
Now that the Church is online and
on email, we need to go mobile.

15. Technologies to Help Us On Our Way

16. Websites and Mobile
Websites
• All smartphones have an Internet
Browsers. Sites that appear on your
smart phone are Mobile Compatible
– Flash components won‟t work on the
iPhone
– Frames cause problems on most
phones
– Its easy to test, but try multiple phones
• Mobile Aware or Mobile Sites are
templated systems that are
specifically designed to be optimized
for the mobile platform

17. Websites and Their Mobile Template
LPi‟s Online Donation Tool, WeShare, in a traditional browser

18. Websites and Their Mobile Template
LPi‟s Online Donation Tool, WeShare, on a mobile phone

19. QR Codes
• Two-dimensional bar
code
• Able to store more
information than a
traditional bar code
• Scanned using the
camera on your smart
phone.
• Build yours at
goqr.me

20. QR Codes in Retail

21. QR Code Uses
• QR codes are meant to enhance existing content. Some
good examples of use are:
– At a fund raising event to record visits or event signups.
– Transmit contact information for staff right to your phone.
– Directing the user to this week‟s sermon, supporting information, or
even a little fun quiz.
– Surveys or voting on important issues.
– Links to your online giving provider.
• A needs improvement example of use,
– Putting a QR code in your bulletin that has current content that
links to just your home page of your website with only outdated
content.

22. Texting
• Texting is still primarily 1:1. It should be used as an
engagement tool.
– Phone trees now can be replaced by texting chains.
– Links to Facebook or Twitter can easily be included.
• Broadcast or group
texting is starting to
emerge.
– ParishSoft‟s
NotifyNow
– Txtsignal.com
– Twilio.com

23. Foursquare, Google+ and FB Mobile
• Foursquare – Keep up with friends and discover what‟s
nearby.
– Is primary a location based service
– Integrates well with Facebook and Twitter
– Do you check in at church? You should
– Restaurants and retail stores offer „Specials‟.
What should we offer?
• Facebook and Google+
– Primarily a social network
– Location services secondary

24. • There probably is over
500,000 and counting on
iTunes
• Mobile users now spend more
time in their Apps than online.
• These Apps embed themselves into your phone but also
your lives.
– If only it would be that easy, http://catholictechtalk.com/mobile-apps
• Apps are an application that is designed for your
smartphone.
– Want to build your own, remember you get what you pay for
– Its common for App Developers to retain ownership of the code, but
the content needs to remain yours

25. The Wrap Up
• We‟re entering a post-website world
• The Internet used to be informational, now is becoming
relational
• Content used to be king, but its really becoming all about
the conversation
• The generation of parishioners is growing up online, but
on their phone

26. Thank You!
Joe Luedtke
Vice President, Liturgical Publications
jluedtke@4lpi.com
@cathtechtalk