So, my name is Dean Cothil, and I’ve created something called the Sunday Social University specifically for the South African context. In South Africa, many churches are looking for ways to improve their social impact and use technology to reach more people and spread God’s word. Social media isn’t going anywhere and if anything, is becoming more and more part of all of our daily lives. My 3 year old is fluent on an iPad and my 6 year old needs no assistance getting around YouTube and finding GOAT free kicks. BUT with the high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment in our country, churches are looking for ways to make a real difference in their communities. Digital and social networks can play an awesome part in this.
I have got 13 years of ministry experience spanning 8 years in the Methodist Church (5 years at Northfield Methodist Church in Benoni and 3 years here at Lorraine Methodist church in PE) and 5 years in a non-denominational church also here in PE. Even in the start, I played in worship teams and assisted as much as I could by offering music lessons and offering starting little music schools if you will, as so many Methodist and local small churches needed bands for their worship services. I think I still have a ew guitar or piano 101 booklets lying around.
So I began by offering talks and workshops to churches on how they can use music more effectively and as time went on I began to see social media trends and instagram trends and began to talk more about how churches could use technology to connect with their congregations and reach out to people in need. I provided insights on how they can use social media, mobile apps, and other digital tools (local SEO for local churches, Google business and analytics etc) to spread their message and connect with the wider community. I also shared strategies on how they can use their resources to make a real impact on issues like poverty, education, and healthcare.
As time went on, I realized that there was a need for an enrollment platform that has videos and educational tools to share all of this knowledge in a more comprehensive way. So, we created one! The churches can purchase a subscription to the NEW platform with new content always being added. This way they can have access to the tools and strategies they need to make a real difference in their communities. I still offer my in-person service, but it’s more expensive and considered premium now. It’s two sides to the same coin.
I transitioned into an enrollment platform that has videos and educational tools that share all of the knowledge I’ve gained through my talks and workshops. This platform is specifically tailored for the South African context and provides churches with a wide range of resources to help them improve their social and social media impact.
The platform includes instructional videos, case studies, and best practices for using technology to connect with congregations and reach out to people in need. It also includes guides on how to use social media, mobile apps, and other digital tools to spread their message and connect with the wider community. The platform is designed to be easily accessible and user-friendly, so churches of all sizes and technical abilities can benefit from it.
The churches can purchase a subscription to the platform, which gives them access to new content that is added on a regular basis. The subscription also gives them access to a community of like-minded churches and organizations who share their goals and can provide support and ideas.
This platform is a great solution for South African churches that are looking to improve their social impact but may not have the resources or expertise to do it on their own. It provides them with the tools they need to make a real difference in their communities and spread God’s word in a more effective way.
My goal is to eventually have a whole online university that works actively in this niche, focusing on keeping the Church up to date with tech and the modern landscape and navigate through it with a faith-based focus in the South African context.
The online university will provide a more comprehensive and structured approach to learning about how technology can be used to improve the social impact of churches. It will offer courses, programs and certifications that will cover various topics such as digital marketing, data analytics, community engagement, and leadership development, all with a faith-based perspective.
The university will have a diverse range of instructors, including experts in technology, communication, and social impact, as well as theologians and religious leaders who can provide a faith-based perspective on how to use technology to make a difference.
The online university will provide a flexible and accessible way for South African churches and individuals to acquire new skills and knowledge, and will also have an active community of learners and practitioners who can share their experiences and provide support. Each course and each module has community based discussion and learning experiences as if we are all in the same classroom, which we are.
This online university will be a valuable resource for South African churches and religious organizations that want to stay up-to-date with the latest technology and best practices for making a positive impact in their communities. It will provide them with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to navigate the modern landscape and spread God’s word in a more effective way.
Leave a Reply