Using Periscope in Ministry
I like technology. I am rarely an “early adopter,” but when I come across a particular technology that I like, I do my best to learn it and use it as best I can.
Recently, I have become enamored with Periscope, and today I want to share what it is and how it can be effectively used in ministry.
What is Periscope?
Periscope is, basically, a live-streaming app for your smartphone. Wherever you have your smartphone with you and have a signal, you can turn on the app and stream to anyone who would like to watch your broadcast.
The app is owned by Twitter, so the two are highly integrated. In fact, when you open a Periscope account (which is free, as is the app), you are asked if you would like to follow the same people on Periscope that you are following on Twitter. Unless you follow a very small number of people on Twitter, I would not recommend this.
When you follow someone on Periscope and that person gets ready to do a broadcast, you get a notification. If you would like to view their broadcast live, you simply click on the notification and there you go. You are watching the person live. If you cannot view the broadcast live, it remains available for 24 hours, so you can view it later.
During the broadcast, there is a social aspect to Periscope. Those who are viewing can leave a comment or question. In fact, those who are the best at Periscope interact with those who do these things. Also, viewers can tap their screen to give a “heart” to the broadcaster. This is similar to the “like” button on Facebook, but serves almost as a type of applause. Viewers can give as many hearts during a broadcast as they like, and the comments and hearts help motivate the broadcaster.
The app is smartphone only. In other words, you cannot view it on a computer. That is a major thing, in my view. The smartphone-to-smartphone connection makes the broadcast feel very intimate and relational, and since we are so often moving around, it makes sense to have such a technology only “on our hip” instead of on every device we own.
Amazingly, though Periscope is only a few months old, there are already 10,000,000 users. Many of those, however, only watch broadcasts, instead of creating their own broadcasts, or “scopes,” as they are sometimes called. I have nothing to base this on, but I think 2016 will be the year that this technology (whether it is Periscope specifically, or another app that does the same thing) takes off. Why? 2016 includes the Summer Olympics, and my prediction is that we will see a major growth of this technology integrated with coverage of the Rio de Janerio Olympics in late Summer.
Using Periscope in Ministry
Of course, a lot of people use this app for drivel. That’s the way it is with nearly any technology. But as Christians, I firmly believe there are a number of ways we can leverage this technology for ministry. Of course, some of these things overlap somewhat with social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter, but Periscope offers a much more personal touch, since you are seeing the person’s face in real-time.
Here are some ideas I have either done, seen done, or would like to see done utilizing Periscope:
1. Live-streaming Sermons/Classes. Many congregations look for ways to live-stream their services, but are not sure of either the technology needed or the cost. Periscipe answers both questions. It is free, and all the preacher or teacher has to do is turn on his app. (Just make sure you are using Wi-Fi, as Periscope is very heavy on a data plan.)
2. Baptisms. What a wonderful way to share the good news of a baptism from a youth retreat, Bible camp, mission trip, or other “off-site” event! Instead of only seeing pictures after the fact, people could actually watch the baptism as it happens.
3. Devotionals. Many preachers or elders send out daily or weekly devotionals to members of the congregation through email or Facebook. Periscope would let this be done, but the people could provide immediate feedback through comments and questions while he is speaking.
4. Previews and Reviews of Church Activities. I have used Periscope for this purpose already. When there is a big event or activity coming up at your congregation, jump on Periscope and give a “live” preview, or when the event is over, jump on a do a review of the day or the weekend. People are able to interact with you and share questions or share their own excitement about what is about to happen, or what has been done.
5. Missionary Reports. Want a free way to see the face of a missionary with no cost? Periscope provides a way for a missionary to report, and those who are viewing can leave comments or questions in real time.
There are, of course, many others ways this technology could be used, but these are few to get your gears turning in your mind.
One Word of Warning
Periscope is a great app. I really believe that this technology (whether it is specifically the Periscope app or not) is here to stay.
However, just because it is close to personal does not make it personal. Periscope, nor any other media outlet, can take the place of face-to-face conversation. In other words, use this technology, but don’t use it as an excuse to avoid hands-on ministry!
Resources
“What I Love about Periscope” [blog post by Michael Hyatt]
“What I Hate about Periscope” [blog post by Michael Hyatt]. Hey, no technology is perfect!
“Top 10 Books” [YouTube video of a recent Periscope I broadcast]
“No Guilt Visitation” [YouTube video of another scope I have done]
…Oh, and if you are on Periscope, follow me @faughn4. See you there!
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
