How To Keep Your Church Connected in a Virtual World

A quick foray into the New Testament gives a good picture of how the church should look. From the Great Commission to the final letter of Paul in 2 Timothy, we can see the vision for the Church family. But what happens when you add in an ever-changing tech-scape that leaves even the savviest of us feeling dizzy?

The church cannot become disconnected, especially now. Does it feel like your congregation is drifting due to the noise? Do you feel distracted yourself in the chaos? Let's look at how we can remain united as a church despite what feels like constant static noise.

The Person Behind the Screen

 Even when culture changes, human nature doesn't. People still want the same things they did before. They want to be known and they want to know God. That’s why it's imperative to remember that every follower on social media, every viewer on YouTube, and every new login to your app is a person. They're a person currently living in a shifting culture and seeking God while trying to gain footing.

When we shift our thinking to consider the individual, we can get creative with how we connect to that person. When you make content for church, be sure that it’s heartfelt and authentic. It shouldn't feel like any other brand grabbing for a buyer's attention. It should feel like their church family reaching out to them. Be thoughtful about your messaging on social media and your website. This is particularly important if you are not meeting in person or have members who are joining remotely. This is taking the place of your greeting team, your host team, and every other experience normally delivered in person. Now more than ever, audit your online messaging and make sure it reflects the heart your church has for its people. 

Mind The Gap

With churches switching from virtual to in-person as needed, it's easier to lose people. If you have a strong communication plan though, you can keep better track of your people.

Maybe you typically have classes or membership pathways that visitors or new members would follow. Figure out how to do those virtually or replace it with something that fits better into your current model. Next, make sure that you have a robust church management system and leaders assign to specific members. Keep people from falling through the gaps by upping your coordination efforts. The payoff will be worth the time it takes to assign and organize members and leaders.

Go Offline

This may sound counter-intuitive, but in a world infatuated with the next, new thing, people still love a taste of old-school. Ask your leaders to send handwritten notes or make actual calls to members in their small groups or teams. It's a small investment that can make a big difference in staying connected.

There will always be needs inside and outside the church. Organize meals for families who have a new baby, a health or family crisis, or even just because. You can set up a donation chain for local food pantries or other causes. Uniting around a cause lifts everyone's spirits and helps people feel closer, even if they are physically far apart.

Ephesians 2:19 says that we, "are no longer strangers...but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." Keep the family strong and connected no matter the circumstance!

Need help utilizing technology in your church? Check out these posts:

• Need help with an App? Start here.
• Kick-start virtual groups at your church.
• ‍Tech tips for multigenerational churches.
• ‍Best practices for healthy church tech.