Four Things Every Congregation Should Be Doing Online

As I have watched the online landscape over the course of the pandemic, I have been impressed by how many people were able to get their congregation online for worship. The necessity of getting there by Easter made everyone function at their highest levels and what would have sounded impossible as a proposal, actually happened in the scrambling.

At the same time, as I watch worship in most congregations across the mainline spectrum, it is also clear that most online worship services are only so-so. While they fill an important void for members during the pandemic, they are not likely to be our brightest stars in many places. There are literally tens of thousands of mainline congregations streaming worship now. Although there is no exact count, just my denomination appears to have 4000 or more streaming services, all using lessons from two sources (Revised Common or Narrative lectionaries) and offering varying degrees of music from fairly polished stuff to not so great karaoke. And depending on the size and resources available to them, many congregations simply aren’t likely to be able to rise to a level where worship online is engaging for anyone without a relational reason to be there. That doesn’t mean you should stop, but it does mean you may be putting your eggs in the wrong basket.

Here are four other places where online ministry makes sense for EVERY congregation and where being big or small, wealthy or not, has little impact on doing a good job:

Small Groups: By definition, small groups are, well… small. Being a big congregation doesn’t give any edge on getting half a dozen people together on Zoom to share scripture, talk about faith and pray. A Zoom account is cheap and lots of people already have their own. Just resource, encourage and support and these are more accessible online to more people than the on-the-ground ones ever were.

Adult Education: Like small groups, the ability to bring educational opportunities online means more access and less commuting. Congregations which never had a mid-week Bible study or only had a few attend can now engage more people with less excuses. In addition, if a few congregations would share their offerings, one study per week for one congregation could mean a menu of four offerings for four congregations who share and coordinate their work. Online means little congregations can go multi-staff for educational options with no extra work but with big gains for participants.

Stewardship: I am amazed how many congregations still haven’t moved more giving to online, or if they have they haven’t really maximized the options. Every congregation should have a PayPal account, some other online giving portal, and use some form of phone app or text giving system. There are lots of resources out there to help create a path for giving, and congregations of any size can and should do this. And the 2% in service fees is a big red herring. Congregational leaders are leaving thousands out of their work to save hundreds in fees (doesn't make sense does it?). And be sure to design a system your members can use but that is even more accessible to new and first time donors.

Social media posts and boosts: Social media, for all of its issues, is a powerful and free platform to share content and get it outside the church circle. Post high quality content that is visually interesting and theologically solid and pithy. Then budget a little to boost your best. Just $10 a week can widen your circle way outside where it is right now.

All of these things are just as accessible to small congregations with limited resources as they are to larger ones with much to work with. So, while worship online may be important, it is unlikely to be the place where most congregations will get the most mileage. Work smarter – not harder and you may find online ministry exciting and fruitful!

Dave Daubert is a leading consultant and coach for mainline, progressive and socially conscious congregations seeking to do God's work. If you would like an affordable and helpful partner for thinking about ministry in a post-pandemic world, contact him by clicking here.