Editor’s note: This article is part two of three that offers church communication strategies specifically for small congregations. While the focus is on small churches, all churches will find the strategies presented helpful for their ministry.
Written by Jessica Marston, CCK Communication Specialist.
Small churches with worship attendance of 75 people or less often have a smaller pool of volunteers to pull from and fewer financial resources to buy expensive equipment and programs.
It is important for churches to build up their digital presence, first with a church website then with social media profiles. Church websites are as much – if not more so – for visitors as they are for church members. The information contained in your church website is always accessible regardless of time or day and unlike social media pages the content and format are 100% controlled by you.
When looking at content, consider your church website as your digital front door and your site’s home page as its welcome mat.
In today’s tech centered world, the choice of having a website and social media presence is not an “either/or” situation. It’s a “both/and” proposition. Social media profiles allow your church to build relationships with church members and the community connections they represent. It is a tool to reach people where they are.
The list of social media platforms continues to grow every year and each one attracts a different user demographic, caters to a different media type, and has a different purpose. Do your research and find the platforms that will fit your needs. Remember that it is better to do 1-3 platforms well rather than four or more platforms in mediocrity.
Another simple way small churches can connect is through live streaming. With the COVID pandemic, churches have had to learn fast, and often on the fly, to transform traditional in-person worship into virtual live streamed gatherings. Understandably, some pastors are apprehensive about this change, not wanting it to turn into another theatrical television evangelist type event.
When done effectively, live streaming is a great tool to connect with your church and the surrounding community. It takes the manifestation of the church beyond the walls of a physical church building. Live stream videos create excitement and membership engagement not just on Sunday morning but throughout the week.
It offers members a chance to connect with their church family even when they physically can’t attend and fosters a diverse and dynamic faith community. It shows visitors that you understand your members varied and sometimes unpredictable lifestyles while giving them a pressure-free way to check out your church prior to their first church visit.