📬 The Digital Disciple: Re-Hashing Hashtags

by Eric Miner

Let’s talk hashtags.
Yes, those little phrases that start with a pound sign and end with the hope that someone, somewhere, might see your post.

You’ve seen them—
#blessed
#SundayFunday
#JesusTookTheWheel
#HCUCCEverywhere

But what are hashtags, really?

🧠 A Quick Refresher

Hashtags are like digital filing cabinets. When you add one to a post, it groups that content with every other post using the same tag. That means your message can reach people who don’t follow you (yet), but do follow that topic.

🎯 Why They Matter for Ministry

In a world where attention spans are short and algorithms are picky, hashtags help the Good News travel further.

• 📣 They expand your reach
• 🔍 They make your posts findable
• 🧭 They help organize your message
• 🤝 They connect your post to a wider movement (e.g. #UCC, #ClimateJustice, #Pride)

✨ How to Create a Good One

Good hashtags are:

• Specific but not obscure
• Short enough to remember
• Readable (capitalize each word for clarity)
• Consistent across platforms

Bad: #thisisareallylonghashtagthatnoonewants
Better: #FaithInAction or #HCUCCPride

You can mix broad tags (#Justice, #ProgressiveChurch) with community tags (#HCUCCEverywhere) and playful tags (#HolyTrouble).

🙌 For Holy Covenant…

We use:

• #HCUCCEverywhere – to claim our digital footprint
• #TheDigitalDisciple – for these weekly reflections
• #GraceOnTheCalendar – to connect worship and wellness
• Seasonal tags like #SacredSeenCalled for Pride Month devotionals

💬 This week’s challenge:
Write your own social media post that uses hashtags intentionally.
Maybe it’s a quote, a photo, or a prayer.

Then tag it in a way that connects it to your faith, your community, and the message you want to share.

Example:
Kindness doesn’t need a platform—but it sure helps.
#HCUCCEverywhere #DigitalGrace #HashtagWithPurpose

#TheDigitalDisciple | #HashtagWithPurpose | #HCUCCEverywhere