Church planting is hard. The to-do list is never-ending, it feels like you're behind on all of it. The temptation is to feel like you have to do it all yourself.
Don't do it.
You've been called to plant a local church that will bring the gospel to a specific community and in a specific context. Like the Apostles, you're called to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Where you can, find qualified people to outsource the rest to (Acts 6:4).
This is especially true when it comes to digital platforms and communication.
Consider the time needed to learn enough about a particular software or tool so that you can evaluate the options, choose one, then set it up and use it. Now multiply that time for each tool. You'll need:
- a website (and hosting, content, SEO, etc. Also, how does it look on a phone?)
- local listings (like Google maps, so that people can find you)
- Church Management Software (like PlanningCenter). This contact management software usually comes with a giving platform and event management)
- Social media profiles (and posts for each platform)
- email (for each individual on staff)
- mass email software (like Mailchimp) for updating your congregation
- what about a sermon podcast?
Most of the items on the above list are essentially "table stakes." You have to have them on Day 1.
Catalyst can help with that. We'll take everything on the list above (and more) off your plate, so that you've got more time for ministry!
First Impressions Matter
In a digital world, your online presence will likely be the first place the people you're trying to reach find you.
What will they see when they get there?
Research shows that upwards of 85% of buying decisions begin online. If a young family in your neighborhood pulls out their phone to research their options for a local restaurant, do you expect they'll behave differently when it comes to the logistical commitment of getting everyone dressed and out the door to try a new church? What will they experience when they visit your website? How well will it answer their questions about when and where you meet, how you handle childcare, what you believe, and how new visitors can connect?
Credibility
It used to be that a church building was what made you credible. You weren't a "real" church until you had a building. Until then, you were a potential church—a large group Bible study or maybe just a guy with a microphone.
Now, your digital presence offers that credibility. When you think of your existing digital presence from the perspective of someone who has just moved to the area, how credible is your ministry?
Pushing Your Ministry Beyond Sunday Morning
The ability to connect and disciple people outside of the Sunday morning worship service is a challenge for any church, but especially so for church plants that don't have a meeting place apart from Sunday morning.
This is where you unlock the power of a well-managed online ministry. Remind them of key points in your sermon by posting clips on Facebook or Instagram. Does your new Men's Bible Study meet at the coffee shop on Tuesday morning? Remind everyone with a text from your Church Management Software (think PlanningCenter).
We can all agree that a church that only exists for an hour on Sunday morning is not a healthy church. The "weekday connection" is what turns a guest into a member of your faith family. You can't get coffee with everyone you hope to reach. But with a well-designed digital strategy, you can connect with a lot more of them!
Have a project to discuss?
Speak to an expert and see for yourself what your church's digital outreach can be like when you have the right partner.