Online church is a different animal…
Two things have changed the ballgame: Covid, and the decline of the Yellow Pages. The internet has largely replaced the Yellow Pages, allowing potential church goers to SEE the service, not just find out the location. Covid gave people an online, stay-at-home option – and many liked it.
Here’s what it comes down to… Reactivity is virtually always inferior to proactivity. You need to decide your strategy, and it comes down to two main options:
- You actually want to create an online congregation as an extension of your church and will think of them as a “virtual campus;”
- Online is there for travelers and shut-ins (and potential first-timers). The goal is to consistently help people to move towards in-person.
I’ll lay my cards on the table… I strongly believe that online church is no substitute for gathering in person. That being said, I believe that EVERYTHING related to the church should be done with all the excellence that we can muster. I’m pragmatic enough to know that you don’t have unlimited time and resources, but the difference between the two options above should be one of language and focus, not of quality. Make it the best it can be – people will check out the church before coming in person, and online services (and the website) are a big part of that equation.
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