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Many Christians are tech-savvy and the course of researching for the best technology often reveals just how beneficial it can be for organizations.  This also means churches should focus more on mobile than desktop.  But, when you propose the idea to your pastor, they may not take it seriously and dismiss it without considering the impact.  The following tactics might help you convince them.

 

Based on statistics from Statistica, there are over 2.5 billion mobile device users in the world today.  Additionally, most of the research indicates that the use of mobile devices is growing faster than that of desktop computers.  Also, people are spending more time on their smartphones than on desktop computers.

These statistics prove there is a large number of potential church members and believers out there that the ministry can reach.  By developing a mobile app and implementing a mobile-friendly design like other ministry websites, the church is bound to gain new members while spreading the gospel more effectively.

 

Some church leaders are hesitant to make the switch to mobile because they aren’t convinced there will be any substantial benefits.  If you encounter this, try explaining to them how making your ministry website mobile friendly helps the church achieve goals at a faster pace.  For instance, ministry websites that have content properly displayed on desktop and mobile alike will create deeper engagement.

On mobile, users can conveniently view blog posts at any moment and leave comments on the go.  Ministry websites that are customized with links and call-to-action buttons help people access recorded sermons and especially make it easy for them to donate to the ministry.

In some cases, the fear of the unknown is preventing the pastor from implementing a switch to mobile.  If that happens, arrange a meeting with a web design expert to talk with the pastor about all the advantages of making the move to mobile.

Some churches spend thousands of dollars during the course of a year for marketing through pricey outlets like TV.  But, what if the church can’t afford to advertise the ministry that way?  All is not lost if you use a church website design that puts members first.  Here is a rundown of the best methods of promoting a church with minimal to no funding.  Not only are these budget friendly, but they are very effective as well.

 

If you always share posts that sound like a sales pitch to persuade people to attend your church, it’s time to change your approach.  Rather than making your content about your ministry, make it about your audience by discussing current issues that affect them and try providing solutions.

One intelligent tactic is to illustrate how your ministry helps improve the community.  You can share information about an upcoming event at your church that is intended to tackle a certain issue that many people are interested in.  You could also share images and videos to show how your ministry is making a positive impact on people’s lives.

 

Do you ask your congregation to invite their friends?  Don’t stop there; give them tools to simplify the task and consider posting to social media so they can share it on their timelines.  Aside from that, have some stunning invitation cards designed that will draw people’s attention so they are persuaded to attend your church.

Even though you share interesting content on social networks, what if new visitors want to know more about your ministry?  That’s where a church website comes into play but make sure you utilize a church website design that is easy to navigate.  Obviously, you want to offer visitors all the information they might be seeking so use a church website design that incorporates a community where members can share their experiences!

Many Christians are quick to oppose the digital revolution as they believe the use of mobile phones during services will cause some members to lose focus.  But, did you know that technology presents numerous benefits that the church can take advantage of?

For instance, church members could use their smartphones to view a bible application and follow along as the pastor preaches.  One could also post an important topic on church websites so it may be addressed during the sermon.  Here’s a rundown of the advantages with technology for the church.

 

Each year, more people feel that purchasing books is expensive and inconvenient.  Tools like Kindle devices and tablets are proving to be useful as eBooks and magazines can be purchased without worrying about issues like storage space or cost.  Additionally, a mobile device or computer gives you access to podcasts, recorded sermons, and other digital resources that help you grow in faith.

 

Before the internet, members of the congregation would only communicate when they were together.  With the internet, they can share their experiences and boost each other’s faith through blogs, church websites, and other online platforms.  Despite the distance between them, Christians all over the world are able to connect with one another and share ideas or solutions on various matters.

 

Never has it been easier to spread the gospel than it is now.  Prior to the internet, ministers had to travel all over the world to get non-believers to become disciples.  Today, outreach is much easier as Christians are able to distribute ministry materials through digital platforms and reach non-believers through a live or recorded YouTube video.
There are many other advantages to using technology in your church.  Often, it leads to higher engagement rates between members as they can take part in the discussions on church websites.  When technology is used properly in the ministry, most of the congregation will likely be better Christians.

One common issue that ministers contemplate is whether or not to stream their services live.  Some members think it would reduce turnout since people might prefer virtual attendance to physical attendance.  On the other hand, avoiding streaming can limit the reach of the ministry and thereby interfere with the church spreading the gospel.

Even though the concern that live streaming could affect attendance is well-founded, there is no proof that the claims are true.  In fact, studies suggest that turnout normally holds steady or increases after it has been implemented.

 

There are three major groups of church members: dedicated attendees, occasionally active members, and those who are present only a few times during the year.  Live streaming is a channel that keeps everyone engaged since members that rarely show up can attend the services virtually by watching the live stream on ministry websites.

As a result, all three groups of church members get integrated into one unit so almost everyone knows exactly what’s going on with the church in terms of fellowships, events, and other activities.  Eventually, occasional members might see the benefits of experiencing what they view on their screens and decide to be present for all the services.

 

Live streaming provides you with a perfect outlet for serving a majority of church members.  You’re not only able to keep irregular members engaged but also reach out to non-members through your sermons and convince them to get salvation.  After all, the greater mission is to spread the gospel around the world and live streaming can play a significant role in making that happen.

Again, when non-members view your live streams on ministry websites or through social media, they might find your services to be engaging and inspiring.  In most cases, this triggers a growth in the congregation so embrace new technology to ensure you see all the benefits.

You have probably come across technology predictions that claimed smartphones would replace desktops in internet browsing or that tablets would replace computers completely.  Though such predictions hold some truth, they often never come true or their completion involves a lengthy and complicated process.

As a church, you probably don’t have the luxury of wasting resources preparing for such predictions that may never happen.  Below you will learn about the practical trends that are likely to affect your ministry.

 

You can already see how much impact the video-supporting social platforms have such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.  More people each year are preferring video to text only content so invest more in video production to be considered a visionary church.  Film important activities then showcase your services using video, and always utilize a church website design that supports video.

 

About 20% of Google’s mobile searches were voice in 2017 so this one might be a little early, but platforms like Amazon Echo and Google Home are fast becoming customary.  If you can take advantage of this and apply a church website design that facilitates voice search, you may impress visitors enough that they become interested in what your church has to offer.

 

Big tech firms have greatly personalized their services which has caused many people to expect the same kind of service everywhere they go.  Though it would be a bit impractical for a church to offer the same level of personalization, you could try offering church members services that are suited to them.
Try to implement unique programs for different age groups, marital status, and other aspects.  Finally, think about incorporating a church website design that uses the latest technology geared towards improving customer care.  That way, visitors are able to get answers or help on your website even during times when it may not be monitored!

At last, spring is here and with it comes a renewed energy for many people.  With this transition in season, you too are possibly excited to try out new activities and clean up old items.  As you do, it would be a great idea for pastors to give church websites a seasonal makeover as well.  Here are a few ways in which church websites may be put in order to boost their effectiveness.

 

Do you normally place photos on websites that are licensed for a certain use?  Be sure to update them with images that suit the spring and summer months.  For instance, if you have placed images of church buildings there, you could replace them with real-life photos of your congregation.  That way, you give visitors a vivid idea of what your church is all about and show them your ministry is full of life!

 

The most unique aspect about stories is that they trigger a personal connection.  Instead of just listing the services your ministry offers, ask people to share their stories such as their experience with the church, then publish them on the website.

Remember, video is extremely effective so it would be more beneficial for your ministry if you film church members as they share their stories then post the videos.  Allow them to give honest opinions on what the church is like but ask them to talk more on the benefits and to speak in a manner that draws viewers to the church.

Lastly, simply your church website by including only the most relevant information and avoid filler content.  As a result, potential visitors will be able to find what they are searching for with ease.  When these tips are used together, your ministry could see an increase in attendance on Sunday and better engagement through the week.

If you still use text as the only way to inform people online about what is happening in your ministry, this is the time to make video a priority.  Online video has become the most engaging form of content.  For instance, there are videos on YouTube with over a billion views but how many people actually read your posts on social media?

Video stands out and is able to grab an audiences’ attention more often than not.  Fortunately, video is supported on many platforms; virtually all social media channels support video now.  Churches can also use their ministry websites to reach out to audiences through videos.  Here are a few other reasons why you should use more video this year.

 

Today, making and uploading video is not only easier but also incredibly inexpensive as it doesn’t require an extravagant camera.  In most cases, pastors are using a smartphone to issue simple video updates or announcements.  With a tripod, a microphone, and a properly-lit area, smartphones are highly capable of helping you create a professional grade video in minutes.

 

If your goal is to drive home a point to the congregation, video is by far the best way to accomplish that.  Studies have shown that visual content sticks better in the mind as it’s easier to recall what was mentioned in a video, as opposed to text on a website.  Some people may not have the patience for reading a lot of content so they only get a clear understanding when they listen in person or watch a video.

 

Whether you post a video on social media or to ministry websites, you can be sure that the video will get shared more than other forms of content.  With each share, the video will increase the exposure it gets and drive new traffic to your ministry.  The best online videos are usually short, precise, and great in quality so keep that in mind to ensure your videos are effective.

Good communication in your church is a must in order for your ministry to be a success.  The timing must be ideal also as it takes the proper message to reach the right people and impact them in a positive way.  On the other hand, poor communication is a huge deterrent for any church to overcome.  For instance, if a precise message is conveyed to the wrong people, it won’t be very effective.  Below are ways in which poor communication restricts your church’s growth and success.

 

Church is one of the few organizations around whose primary focus is on the people outside rather than those inside.  The main goal is to reach individuals and families out there with the message of salvation.  If you don’t remind your members about this purpose from time to time, they slowly drift into thinking the church is about them and their willingness to make sacrifices for the ministry diminishes.

 

A majority of ministries receive many guests throughout the year who claim they’d like to join the church.  How many of them actually return and become regular visitors or members?  Failure to keep guests returning is a sign of poor growth and new members are vital for churches to expand.

 

The core to the growth of any ministry is funding.  If there’s poor communication around the funding process, eventually there will be a financial strain and the ministry won’t take risks.  Instead of using a high-quality church website design, the church may use a plain design which means the website would fail to attract a large number of visitors.
Invest in good communication to improve communication at your church.  Nowadays, people find it convenient to go online so don’t be hesitant to spend for a superior church website design.  Also, always employ great timing when making announcements and use calls to action frequently!

Chances are, almost all of your church members are on Facebook and they use it regularly to stay connected with their friends and family.  That is why, aside from using church websites, you need to consider Facebook groups as a means of connecting with your audience.

Fortunately, setting up a Facebook group is very easy and the results tend to attract more visitors to your ministry.  Quality content can be shared in the form of text, images, and videos on a platform your congregation is already familiar with.  Here are the steps to starting your own ministry group on Facebook.

 

Construct your group around a specific purpose such as bible topics or a sermon series.  Another option would be to base your ministry group on prayer requests or fellowship.  Whatever the case, be sure to stick to your purpose so the audience doesn't get confused as to what the group is about.

 

Although the following directions apply to using a desktop or laptop, the process is about the same on mobile.  After you go to the Facebook home page, browse the left side of the screen where you see a list of tabs.  The Groups tab is between Pages and Friend Lists; click on it.  This will take you to another page where you see the tab Create Group.

After clicking that, a small window appears that allows you to choose the name of your group and to add email contacts or Facebook users.  At this point, you get to select the privacy of your group so decide if you want it to be public or just for approved members.  Fill in the required fields, then hit Create for your group to go live and you may invite people to join right away.  People will join at different times so be sure to pin a welcome post with a link to church websites for them to see the latest content and stay engaged with your ministry.

Based on studies conducted by Barna and other organizations, many people that rarely attend church don’t know the true meaning of Easter.  Though not every church leader is aware of this, there are significant implications with regard to communication during the service on Easter Sunday.

Most churches want to expand and bring as many churchgoers into the faith as possible.  When people are distracted with Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs, they fail to appreciate that the day represents the resurrection.  Anytime that happens, there’s a failure in spreading the gospel.  Learn how to use technology in your ministry to ensure everyone in attendance understands the real meaning of Easter.

 

Websites are a great outlet for informing your congregation and visitors so use it to explain what Easter is all about.  Do this a few weeks in advance to boost attendance and talk about the history of Easter as it’s important in the Christian faith.

Ministry websites that have a discussion forum give people the opportunity to ask questions and church members can provide them with concise answers.  If no questions are posted, engage visitors and members by asking them how they plan to celebrate Easter.

 

Nearly everyone understands the value of video in capturing the attention of an audience.  Fortunately, these videos don’t have to be done by a professional so you can take video of church members sharing what they believe Easter means.  Short videos normally get more views since longer videos may contain irrelevant content.
While using these tools to reveal the true meaning of Easter, make sure you use Facebook, Youtube, and other popular forms of social media.  When you share a post, link back to your website where detailed information can be found about the way your ministry carries out an Easter service.