COVID is impacting most of what we can do and how we do it. It sucks.
But there is a silver lining, the crisis has spawned great innovation and creativity. In fact, if I had asked you 6 months ago whether you would be offering online services this summer, most of you would have said, ’no way’.
But look at us now, more and more churches are preparing and delivering weekly messages online – streaming, pre-recorded, live, FB, YouTube Church online, etc.
There are so many options and solutions to make this transformation possible.
I don’t want to debate cameras, video processors or hosting platforms.
I want to discuss about how ‘church online’ fits into your overall missional strategy.
There is a spectrum of how church online fits into your overall ministry strategy:
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Old Normal – just waiting to get back to our building to worship like before.
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Simulcast – online is offered in case you can’t make it to the service.
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Building Feeder – online is used to draw people into the building, by helping them check you out before coming.
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Campus Launcher – you are convinced people grow and are discipled better when they meet face to face, regardless of the meeting place. Church Online lets you equip these groups gathered anywhere.
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Digital Disciple – you can function completely virtually – making disciples and connections in the virtual world, without a physical visit
By the way, all approaches can be effective. You just need to resolve the right one for your context. This will dictate how your invest in and organize your online church efforts.
Here are some questions to help you settle the question for you:
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Do you believe that if people only meet online, they are violating Scripture?
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Do you feel pressure to maintain or increase big room attendance in order to continue your current model of ministry?
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Is there anything you can learn from global churches that are prevented from meeting physically due to religious percussion or other conditions?
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Is it possible to develop a mature christian faith in Christ without stepping into your building?
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Is it possible to nurture fully devoted followers of Christ 500 km from your facility?
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Is this (COVID) just a temporary blip, and we will back to ’normal’ soon with everyone back in the building?
Your answers will help you determine the best strategy to use for your context.
Either way, it’s important to remember that producing a Sunday experience has never been the primary objective of the Church.
This pandemic is giving us a great opportunity to re-discover our mission as a church and recast our vision for how God will advance his kingdom and build his church.
So take the time to determine your approach to online church.
Contact us today for schedule a FREE 30-minute conversation about your church’s online strategy.
