OPEN WIDE YOUR FRONT DOOR

If you owned a store and wanted the greatest number of people to step inside to see your products or services, wouldn’t you do whatever you could to market your name, make your brand easily recognized, and clearly communicate your product/service to the public? Sure, you would! How would you change your approach to marketing if I told you that no one wanted to step foot in your store until they carefully investigate you as the owner and what you offered? Have you provided them with sufficient means to learn about you without being on-site?

This is a simple picture of the importance of your front door. Not the door of your building but your digital front door. As with traditional businesses, by leveraging the power of technology, churches can also expand their reach, attract new members, and engage with a broader audience. Being an organization whose focus is on spiritual development does not preclude you from the benefits of widely opening your digital front door. In fact, as other types of media have been instrumental in conveying spiritual truths over the decades, so digital media bursts with potential.

Pastors and non-profits leaders must grow with the culture to strategically embrace digital tools for ministry to connect with a broader audience. Here are a handful of suggestions to add to your toolbox and/or expand it:

1. Establish a Stronger Online Presence
   A well-designed website serves as the widest front door for your church, conveying crucial information about your beliefs, values, and services. Visitors have an opportunity to learn more about your church and its ministries. The scary part is that they may make a judgment call in the first 10 seconds of scrolling through your site. So, ensure that the website is user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for mobile devices. Prominently display a call-to-action button that encourages visitors to take the next step.

2. Active Social Media Engagement
   Who doesn’t enjoy inspiring content, a friendly video announcement, or an attractive graphic? Social media platforms are perfect to share upcoming events, engaging stories, and opportunities for people to serve or pray. A vast majority of the public is now trained to interact and build relationships through social media, so be purposeful to establish an interactive and inclusive digital community. Assign a person to lead it who loves people, has an eye for relevant content, and who enjoys connecting relationally.

3. Encourage Digital Giving
   Make it convenient for your congregation to give online by providing various options for digital giving. Implement a secure and user-friendly online platform that allows members to contribute their tithes and offerings directly through your church’s website or mobile app. People also find it encouraging to learn about the impact of their contributions and to receive a word of gratitude for their continued support.

4. Leverage Multimedia Content
   Create graphics, videos, and podcasts that present inspirational messages, testimonies, and important announcements. You need to find a person or team with some experience in this field to do it well. Recruit a high schooler (half joke/half serious), give direction, and let him go! By embracing digital methods, churches can connect with individuals not limited by physical boundaries, while attracting visitors and fostering community in the digital realm.

Practical Tips for Digital Church Growth

• Be Easy to Find
  Use common SEO for churches tools to rank in Google searches for your church/non-profit.

• Get Yourself Out There & Share Who You Are
  Record a genuine and friendly introduction to a new sermon series, then splice the weekly sermons into short videos to post on social media.

• Create Unique Online Experiences
  How can you involve those who watch virtually? Be mindful in your communication to this group.

• Choose Quality Tech
  Invest in high-quality cameras, equipment, and team members to live stream worship services, including interactive chat options for engagement.
  Facilitate virtual small groups or Bible study sessions using platforms like Zoom or Google Meet.
  Regularly post devotional content, updates, and interactive posts on social media to keep the community connected.

With where we are in the modern era, utilizing these digital strategies is vital for successful church growth. You can do it! Start somewhere and build. To quote Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.”