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24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
– Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
Today’s church is in a peculiar position. It can be remembered as a masterful center of activity. Or, it can be seen a near-dead dormant place of apathy with little to no action or activity.
For the church to harness the power of being interactive, its leadership has to see the church as a beacon within the congregation and community that offers: CONNECTIVITY, COMMITMENT, & CONSISTENCY.
CONNECTIVITY
The experience on the customer end is all about ease of usage. How simple is it to get connected with your church online? Is it just a Facebook LIve post at 11 AM EST every week? If so, then as a member who follows your church on Facebook, I should see it pop up on my Facebook alerts when you go live. If I have to log into an online portal with username and password or jump through some other technological hoop, you got me doing way too much.
Make it simple for people. One click access. Embed your videos on your website’s home page. Simplify access for people to connect with your church.
COMMITMENT
Any ministry effort requires dedicated folks. Yet, during this season of uncertainty, commitment does not look different but it certainly feels different. No matter if you have a full team of folks helping to create and coordinate the distribution`of your online content or something far more simplified than that.
Who’s managing the chat? Who is checking the mobile watcher experience?
A handful of committed folks from right within your congregation or community. Your best sermons will never reach their potential. The commitment of your tech and sound crew makes a huge difference in your broadcast.
CONSISTENCY
No one will watch if there is no schedule or announcement. It helps your team with planning and preparing, but it helps your audience to know what to expect and when to expect it.
When you fail to be consistent, we k=leave room for all sorts of assumptions. In times like these, it seems risky to assume that people will tune in without directives or any announcement.
Push out your schedule of broadcasts and meetings ASAP. Give viewers and others some lead time. Think days, not hours. Announce what you plan to cover and when, then re-share it via social media or email.
To harness the power of the interactive church, you must keep these 3 in mind. These are the cornerstones of an effective church interacting online.