6533b7d4fe1ef96bd1261fe0

RESEARCH PRODUCT

What a Friend We Have in Facebook : Norwegian Christian Churches’ Use of Social Media

Hans-olav Hodøl

subject

Digitale medierbusiness.industryCommunicationReligious studiesMedia studiesKommunikasjonNorwegianVDP::Medievitenskap og journalistikk: 310Medialisation of religionlanguage.human_languagePeer reviewDigital mediaVDP::Media studies and journalism: 310TheoryofComputation_MATHEMATICALLOGICANDFORMALLANGUAGESMediealisering av religionKey (cryptography)languageDigital communicationSocial mediaSociologyDigital kommunikasjonbusinessDigital media

description

This study examines how Christian churches in Norway use social media. The key finding is that the churches do not take extensive advantage of the opportunities for two-way communication offered by the platforms, but primarily use their social media channels to promote church activities or broadcast content without inviting a dialogue. Based on the churches’ own stated appreciation for building relationships, as well as existing research from media and communication studies, media and religion studies, and studies within strategic communication, this article argues for a stronger focus on the ritual and relational aspects of online communication from the church organizations. Pais Open Access UNIT agreement

10.1080/15348423.2021.1954829https://hdl.handle.net/11250/2767909