This year I am taking on a massive project to look at the 100 largest churches in America and see how they do social media and websites for their ministries. The idea behind this is social media and blogging experts and “gurus” are dishing out advice to churches, yet there is currently insignificant data for the Church to use. Instead, we find ourselves using business practices and trying to wholesale adopt them into the church, even though we are not selling Jesus to others, but instead trying to start relationships with Jesus.
The first ebook is out now on Churchmag.Press and is called By the Numbers. It has a follow-up ebook, currently in production, with longitudinal data for a richer and deeper look. The data truly is fascinating, but I wanted to give you some insight into the evaluation I found from this research:
Some Churches Know What They Want
I have been under the false assumption that churches are working toward a goal based on business practices. What I observed instead is churches being intentional about what they post and being creative and professional with set standards. They are not operating as a for-profit company or a blogger trying to be read, but instead celebrating the church and our Creator. It truly is amazing what is out there.
Not Every Ministry Is Great
Beyond the amazing examples of great digital ministry, I saw many churches that simply let things slip away without a social media post for months or years (like old blog articles from 2013) and being very sporadic in their published content. Let me say it pains me to see churches with a digital ministry presence who aren’t intentional and effective with it. Further, I saw churches who went the shotgun route and their digital presence was scattered and inconsistent. Imagine being in that community and seeing the church’s online presence. It’s hard to think someone would think, “I want to go to that church.”
Great Things Are Happening
At the very foundation of all this, nearly all churches are doing something, and I bet if they tracked it well, each church could find that their digital ministry has had some positive effect. Other churches may find they are having significant effect. What I know is that many people are sharing content, leaving comments and liking. That means not only is the gospel getting to the people who already have a connection point, but it’s getting to friends and family of those who are engaging with the church’s content. Thus, the reach is compounding upon itself and maybe even going a little viral.
Interested in This Book?
Congrats Lauren, Beth & Charla!
Want a free copy of By the Numbers? We’ve got three copies to give away. Here’s how to enter:
Post a comment below sharing the coolest thing you’ve seen a church do online.We’ll draw three winners at random on Friday, Aug. 28 to receive a free copy of By the Numbers.One entry per person, legit email address required so we can deliver your winnings, [insert additional disclaimers, addendums and legalese here].
More:
- Read our review of By the Numbers by Jeremy Smith.
- Buy a copy of By the Numbers by Jeremy Smith.
- Check out some infographic numbers from By the Numbers.
- Is your church struggling online? You need a digital strategy.
Eric Dye
August 19, 2015
Dropping knowledge—as usual Jeremy. :D
Jeremy Smith
August 19, 2015
:)
David Summerlin
August 19, 2015
Best thing I have seen is a personal video introduction/welcome by the Pastor instead of just a written one. It adds an extra personal touch.
Lauren
August 19, 2015
Super interested in checking out this book! I love when churches celebrate the individuals who are baptized, not just the numbers. I’ve seen this done as photo albums and videos…I would love to see someone do close-up photos of the baptisms, with a quote or stay to go along with it (Humans of New York style).
Lyndsay Stratton
August 19, 2015
Love what you guys are doing by-the-way.
It’s super simple, but I think its rad when churches post pictures either in banners/slideshows or videos of what’s happening (events, baptisms, etc.) in their church. Super encouraging to see in the online platform. Makes you feel a part of their community, even if you live 5000km away.
Jason Norris
August 20, 2015
Hi. I’m glad to see research about this! My primary focus right now is podcasting. Is there much discussion about church podcasts in your book?
Thanks!
Keisha Broomes
August 21, 2015
Hi! What a blessing to be able to see this research! Coolest thing I’ve seen a church do online is host an online movie viewing experience.
Beth Lawrence
August 21, 2015
Redemption Church in Phoenix Arizona has a feature on the home page that includes impactful stories of how God is working in the lives of people in the congregation. It shows that God is active in that church. And draws the visitor in to discover real people who are experiencing real change.
Sean O'Driscoll
August 22, 2015
One church posted supplemental material for each sermon – maps, infographics, movies, links, etc. They then sent the link out three times during the week to encourage people to remember the message and continue to dive deeper.
Trish Amerson
August 24, 2015
My favorite social media post is a series of photos of people being baptized. There was so much joy on their faces as they emerged from the water. They included those photos on the intro video for the sermon. It was awesome!
Matt Brady
August 25, 2015
One of the coolest things I’ve seen online is when ministry teams do a live Facebook Q&A and answer people’s questions. Now, the one I remember was actually two members of the Elevation Worship team, but depending on the ministry I think it could still be effective and useful.
Alex Stroud
August 25, 2015
One of the best things I’ve seen so far is a first time visitor welcome video. The voice is the pastor welcoming and explaining, but the picture shows Sunday morning videos of the entry way, children’s area, lobby, and worship space. Very helpful.
Angi McCarty
August 25, 2015
Our church is in the heart of Canada – Winnipeg, Manitoba. And our winters are long and hard. So when summer peeks through, people head to cottages and cabins! To keep our church family connected over July and August, we asked them to share their summer story in pictures using #summersnapshotsgmc on Twitter, Instragram or Facebook. And they have! We’ve received photos of family members, sunsets and food… cook-outs and gardens, camping experiences and sports activities. Even cross-country treks and travel abroad! Our first week, we had no submissions. But the numbers have grown daily. And today, eight weeks in, we’re averaging 50-60 submissions a week. On Sunday, we show a video of that week’s submissions and pick a “winning photo”. We’re garnering “oohs” and “aahs” as the reel runs, with laughter and claps of approval too. It’s been a surprising success. We’re going to leverage the same idea for other events and opportunites – e.g. Christmas, our small group ministry – and make summersnapshots an annual summer connection point!
Jane Andersen
August 25, 2015
beautiful photos with inspiration..
Janet Schaeffler, OP
August 25, 2015
A good thing I’ve seen … parishes doing Baptismal prep with parents online … they respond to questions about Baptism and family spirituality (after reading a couple articles) and join in conversation with one another.
After being involved in this for about four weeks, they come together … and feel like they know one another and are very engaged in this real-time gathering.
Catherine
August 25, 2015
Volunteers face-to-face with the people they’ve impacted and then videotaped. Really powerful.
Jimmy
August 25, 2015
One of my favorite SoMe campaigns I saw was a hashtag campaign on how Christ had changed people’s lives. They had everyone use the “I was (blank), now I’m (blank)” format followed by a specific hashtag. After the digital campaign they launched a print campaign. They took the responses, printed them, and posted them ALL OVER the church.
Elizabeth
August 25, 2015
It’s not a particular website item/campaign, but I love when churches make clear on their websites who is welcome in worship – not just in terms of “here’s a photo of our token minorities looking happy,” but also in terms of “you don’t have to have everything figured out before you get here” invitations.
Don
August 25, 2015
A friend at Unity of Harlem posts a “90 second” sermon on Facebook each week. It introduces the week’s topic and serves to wake folks up that don’t attend.
Jennifer
August 25, 2015
The coolest thing I have ever seen a church do is post a $100 gift card on instagram and then share the link to whoever got it first. I’m sure it leaked beyond where they thought it would go but it was a great gesture that will always be viewed as positive. If I ever moved to their town, that may be the church I would end up at!
Jennifer
August 25, 2015
Oops, I meant to say starbucks. Several people posted that they were able to get a free coffee.
Blanche
August 25, 2015
When moving to a new church, the pastor actually constructed a small building out of wood, adding to it each week, as the construction effort was underway. It would have been cool to video that and then add weekly updates. So I guess this is something that a church could do!
Jeanette
August 25, 2015
The best think I’ve seen on a church website was an organized, easy to use, and downloadable archive of past sermons. I am part of a wonderful, energetic, and loving church whose e-presence is practically non existent… I would like to see that change. Thank you so much for all of your helpful articles and resources! God Bless you and your ministry.
Charla
August 26, 2015
The best thing I’ve seen is Fairfax Circle Church’s youth pastor and intern getting the youth involved in making a publicity video for children’s activities. It allowed the youth to serve (evangelize) in a really fun and relevant way. Also, all little kids like to see what the big, cool kids are doing and join in!
Ramon Hiponia
August 27, 2015
when North Point shared a timelapse video of their church building and also shared a story about their Be Rich campaign on how it impactful it was to their community
Jordan
August 28, 2015
Have been really enjoying Crossway.org.au launch their online church – think its going to be great.
Jameson Reynolds
August 28, 2015
Something we do on social media is post a weekly picture of one of our volunteer with a plastic frame around them that says “volunteer spotlight”. We then share where and how long the person has served and what they love about it. When the encourage our people to “show them some love” by liking or commenting on the photo. It is pretty cool to see the feedback and conversation that happens.
Linda Hall
August 28, 2015
I love seeing ministry moments captured in photos and shared on social media. They don’t have to be perfect photos (filters help a lot!), but the ones that capture joy or a time of sharing, whether in the worship service or as people gather together in the church, are the ones that, I believe, show the true nature of that body of Christ.