Are you looking to grow your church? Technology can help you attract new members, connect with current members, and promote your events in the local community.
Technological advances have changed how people connect, and worship centers cannot afford to lose out on the benefits of technology. Firstly, most people are engaging with organizations via their smartphones and tablets. By establishing an online presence, you can connect with people’s lives on various platforms.
Secondly, technology promotes community. Instead of meeting only for Sunday service, your congregation can engage in online platforms. Moreover, online platforms will encourage the younger generations to take part in the mission of the church.
It is common for church leaders to be hesitant to adopt technology for fear of negative effects. However, church technology will help you take the gospel to more people. Additionally, previous technological innovations like the automobile, electricity, visual and audio technology, and the invention of the printing press have facilitated the growth of countless churches. Below are five technologies that you should adapt:
Page Contents
1. Church Management Software
Source: sharefaith.com
It is a tool that helps churches complete their tasks effectively and efficiently. It will help you capture and track membership data, record attendance, and manage donations. Additionally, the management software will improve communication via emails, newsletters, and automated invoices.
When shopping around for church management software, consider your church size. For example, suitable solutions for larger ones will be too expensive and robust for a smaller one. If your church has more than 100 households, you need a powerful platform to keep up with your members, payroll, and accounting.
Membership data will also help you connect with your congregation. For instance, the presiding pastor can congratulate a couple on their anniversary during worship service. When looking for management software, look out for the features below:
Check-in Features
Choose a solution that enables online check-in for attendees to mark themselves present at an event via their mobile devices. This feature will also keep children attending church events safe.
Membership Management
The software should make it easy to track basic information about members, demographics, and family structures. Using these features, you will identify any new visitors, mass message your congregation, and track attendance.
Donation Management
You need to track the contributions and donations made to your church to support growth. Therefore, the software of your choice should allow members to make online donations and provide accurate reports of all transactions.
2. Digital Signage
Source: pinterest.se
Mvixdigitalsignage.com digital signage is a cutting-edge solution for churches that want an improved connection with their members. If you are still using a crowded bulletin board to inform church staff and members, it is time to transition to digital signs.
You may already have social media pages, but how do you connect with members who do not follow your channels? Digital screens are excellent at attracting attention, and you will have better chances of engaging your congregation. Additionally, digital screens will modernize your church, especially if you want to brand yourself as a contemporary faith community. Some of the ways you can use digital signage in your church include:
Digital Lobby Signage
Digital lobby signage will inform and entertain visitors outside your church office. You can display service times and information for activities like the evening bible study. The screen can also show images of church barbecues, tea parties, and other social functions to promote a sense of community. During events like weddings and baptisms, lobby signs can display images and information to direct attendees.
Wayfinding Signs
Large churches can use directory kiosks and wayfinding screens to provide directions. Also, you can furnish your hallways with digital directories that let people see contact information and office locations.
Digital Sermon Boards
Digital sermon boards and video walls can display hymnals, sermons, lectures, scripture passages, and prayers. The rich displays and captivating images will wow your audience and enhance their worship experience. Moreover, it takes less time to update the content on digital screens than putting up printed signs.
3. Church App
Source: unsplash.com
Individual churches are increasingly getting personalized apps to boost engagement. An app represents an opportunity to maintain constant contact with Christian communities, thereby simplifying communication. Moreover, a mobile app will generate excitement among members.
A Church app is an excellent platform to upload sermon notes and videos. For example, a member who missed church will go to your app to catch up on sermons instead of scrolling down your Facebook page.
Church technology in the form of an app will help you schedule community events. For instance, you can add a calendar that lists upcoming neighborhood events and avails of registration forms. As a result, members will simply look at the calendar on their iPhones and iPads to see open events.
Church apps make it easy for pastors and other church leaders to update and reschedule events in real-time. You can even send push notifications to notify members of event changes.
4. Live Streaming
Source: unsplash.com
Live streaming is a great way to broadcast your church services. This solution has become especially important during the covid-19 pandemic since human interaction is limited to reduce transmission risk. However, this does not mean that churches cannot connect meaningfully with their congregation. Thanks to technology use, you can take the word of God to people’s homes.
You can Livestream on Facebook, YouTube, Zoom, Google Chat, or any other platform. Other media streaming software lets you involve your audience in the Livestream. For example, you can encourage members to send bible reading videos and show them to your audience.
During live streaming, remember to be authentic. The virtual event should reflect a real representation of your church. To engage your audience, you can run polls on social media posts, receive prayer requests, and ask questions. In addition, you can encourage the online congregation to follow your church on a social media app like Twitter. Social networking is vital for any worship center that wants to attract new members.
5. Online Giving Software
Source: unsplash.com
An online giving software is among the best resources to invest in today. Most people opt to carry debit and credit cards instead of cash, and they need simple solutions to give their contributions.
You can integrate the software with your website to secure donations from church members. The software can encourage people to make recurring contributions, customize receipts, and integrate seamlessly with mobile payment services like Apple Pay and PayPal. To promote online giving, you can run video announcements during the offering session that demonstrate the giving process.
In Conclusion
Churches can now reach more people than ever through technology. Whether you are starting a podcast, launching an app, or embracing a virtual model, there are countless ways for leaders to boost engagement. Digital signage, church management software, and live streaming are some of the best ways to use church technology to promote the church’s mission.
