Technology Compliments Ministry: Part 1

Technology can make the world a smaller place, even when churches are working to reach their local communities. It all begins with shaping and delivering your message in ways that represent the target audience you are trying to reach. Here are some ways you can do that online:

• Writing good blog posts. It's a great idea for your church to have a blog on their website. And on that blog should be a synthesized 200-500 word version of Sunday morning’s sermon. There should be a comment section, and dialogue should ensue. This is a great summary of Sunday’s sermon for those who want to refer back to it.  Additionally, some people may never even darken the doors of a physical “church” but might happen across your blog.

  This is a great opportunity to share truth in a different medium. The content already exists, it just needs to go online. Also, once a month, or perhaps every other week, the pastor should have a regular post called “From the Pastor’s Heart” or “From the heart of the Shepherd,” etc. An online message to the church is a great way for the pastor to warmly engage the church and the community via their in-box. 

• Crowdsourcing. While this may seem like a no-brainer because you already have a crowd in place, crowdsourcing makes sense for the church. Here’s how to look at benevolence and volunteering a little bit differently: 

  By talking with your people and getting ideas, figure out some causes that they care about. This is going to look different in every community. Consider connections to local organizations and ministries, as well as missionaries directly sponsored by your people, etc. Crowdsourcing simply means figure out who your people are passionate about serving, and then rally them together and help them to serve. Then encourage your church to spread the word about the cause or ministry via each church member’s web presence (Facebook, Twitter, blogs). With the opportunity to engage through new media like never before, it’s time to utilize it and change the world. 

How can a fresh approach to spreading your message online engage more people in the ministry of your church? What if they could give, register for events, and even print tickets online? Who are you missing because you’re not offering these things today?