Social Media and Megachurches

Abstract

This paper contributes to the understanding of social media strategy by examining how, Hillsong, a megachurch, is using social media. Whilst there, is a growing body of research on megachurches, and on the use of social media by not-for-profit organisations, no prior studies have examined the use of social media in megachurches. The study uses a content analysis of Hillsong's social media platforms on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, to demonstrate the distributed model of social media presence adopted by Hillsong, and relates this to the various purposes for which Hillsong uses social media. Discussion and conclusions evaluate this approach to social media strategy.