Consider the Church. It is a place where people come to worship, learn about faith, and be involved in community life. Still, it is also a place where technology can be embraced to help the congregation grow and thrive. Using technology such as management software, websites, apps for learning, and communication tools like google hangouts, church staff can do their job more efficiently with better impact when connected online through these communication channels.
The following can help grow an engaged congregation.
1) Church management software
Today it is possible to utilize church management software to assist with the daily running of a busy congregation. It can be used to record the personal details of your congregation members, allowing you to connect with them regularly. This can help turn a first-time visitor into a regular visitor to your church.
2) Communicate with your congregation through apps
An app, or ‘app’ as it is known today, is a piece of software designed to run on a mobile operating system. These operating systems include android and Apple’s IOS. Many apps can be used to help manage the growing congregation both online and offline. A few examples include apps that assist with communication and data management.
3) Website for the church
A website can be used to engage your congregation year-round with newsletters, bible studies, resources for church programs or pastoral care, or even live streaming a Sunday service. It can also be used as an online diary of your congregation’s activities, such as upcoming services, community events, or charitable programs in which the church is involved.
4) Online communication using Zoom
Zoom is a program that allows you to hold video conferences with anyone. This can be used for the church to carry out ministerial duties, update the congregation about programs or fundraisers, or talk weekly with all your small groups. It can also be used as a tool by lay leaders from the congregation to connect with one another and discuss topics of ministry.
5) Live streaming of Sunday service
A streaming service offers your congregation an opportunity to feel connected even when they are unable to physically attend services. It provides people across the globe access to sermon notes and educational material in an attempt to provide an online worship experience that matches the in-person experience of attending church on Sunday.
6) Podcasts and YouTube
A podcast is an audio recording that is published online so that users can listen to them on demand. They are very useful as they provide a more portable way to listen to sermons, weekly talks, or Bible studies. They can be listened to while commuting or exercising.
7) Social media – Facebook and Twitter
What used to be regarded as a bad thing, social media, can actually be used for good in the church. It has become the perfect avenue for churches everywhere to distribute information and make themselves accessible online. It can also be used by members of the church who mostly communicate with friends using their mobile devices, but want regular updates from their church community.
It is no longer an option for a church to stay behind its technology and not utilize these types of tools. As the internet becomes more advanced, the tools available to pastors and staff members are growing. With this new-found progress, there is room for a congregation to become more vibrant, relatable, and relevant online.
