CHURCH ANSWERS WEBINAR Early ventures into church online
Build community Focus on building a sense of unity and together, as well as watching Could you meet people before the service for coffee or communion? Offer downloadable worksheets with key verses, thoughtful questions and takeaways Small groups online allow people to continue that sense of community during the week
Accessibility Is your online church service watchable? Can everyone tune in? If possible, include subtitles and always piroritise audio Consider the lighting, positioning, tone-of-voice and length of video Always watch the video back before posting Utilise the widely accessible advice online right now
Keep it simple Live streaming your online service can be complex and stressful There is nothing wrong with pre-recording your video and posting it later Don't try and pack too much into your online service. People are often doing other things at home whilst watching online, so make sure they can still follow the service if they need to leave the room for a moment.
Is it working? Try not to focus on how many people are watching Analytics measure success online, but it may not be helpful to complicate an already new venture for many. There are other ways to know whether what you're doing is effective, such as likes, comments and personal feedback. Communicating your church values is more important than metrics at this stage.
Coming out of lockdown Consider if there is a need for online services at your own church. For many, we have learned that reaching out to people online is easier than we first thought. Continue that out of-the-box thinking in all forms of your church communication. What small steps could your church make to continue the work online that has taken place during lockdown?
Investment Is there a need for more investment online services going forward? A digital sound desk for audio recording and podcasting can make a big difference. Optimise equipment and programmes you already use by taking the time to learn more. Listen to those who already have experience. This is a good time to try out and practice digital tools and online services. How do we engage with online spaces that do not specifically belong to the church?
Fear of the online There may be anxiety about digital media because people may think that it could be the end of their church. We need to speak life and truth into every corner of the world, including online. Be fluid and flexible in your communication of the gospel in an evolving world. Fear and anxiety is not limited to online but can exist in other spaces too, so have to cast our fears and step boldly into this space.