Yelp

I just posted a picture on Facebook of my two boys on their first day of the new school year at Saint John’s. It was posted twice, once on my Facebook page and then on the church’s page. Some of you “liked” the picture and one added a beautiful benediction which I really appreciate. For as much as I like to talk about people who lived two thousand years ago, I also need to keep an eye on today. And, like it or not, this internet thing doesn’t seem to be going away.

Over the summer, a media consultant met with Saint John’s School to improve our internet presence – specifically with social media. This consultant has a connection to Saint John’s and we greatly appreciate her advice. She said we need to post something on our Facebook page once a day, every day. We heard it as a challenge; she meant it as a command.

We are starting a YouTube Club that will video short (less than 30 second) clips of students talking about the virtues of Saint John’s which we will  then post on Facebook, our website, our YouTube channel and our school app. Yes, Saint John’s School now even has a smart phone app. The number one source of information for people thinking about private school is found on-line. The number two source is word of mouth. And that source is now on-line, too.

Did you know that Saint John’s Church has a Yelp review? If you are not familiar with Yelp, it is an on-line, word-of-mouth, website where anyone can review restaurants, repair shops, dentists, and even churches. Whether or not the reviews are accurate, they are there for everyone to see. Saint John’s currently has two reviews, one positive and one negative from years ago, a complaint against the school. Interestingly, those complaints have been addressed and fixed; they had to do with bullying and the math and science curriculum. But the complaint (Sigh!) is still there, like many things on the Internet.

Most folks who visit the church have already read about us on-line. Many have looked at our pictures, reviewed our activities, read our mission statement, my Reflections, and heard a sermon or two. And, some have read our reviews.

Do you remember the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand? Word-of-mouth brought that huge number of people to Jesus. In the age before the internet, it was neighbors telling neighbors. Perhaps you are not called to invite everyone you meet to Saint John’s. But, maybe you are called to write a review. If you do, you’ll help the mission and ministry of Saint John’s by being a light to others who are searching for a church home.

If you feel called to this interesting ministry, look up “St. John’s Episcopal Church” on yelp.com, or simply click here http://www.yelp.com/biz/st-johns-episcopal-church-chula-vista. Another reviewing site is at google.com.  Type Saint John’s Episcopal Church Chula Vista, and then click on the “be the first to review” and type away.

-Fr. Marshall