Building Digital Community: Part 2 - Digital Congregations

From February through November 2024, we are having monthly meetings on "Digital Innovation for Worshipping Communities" with Christen Kinard of Digital Congregations. (Special thanks to Christen also for her help setting up this blog.) These classes are designed with the Gayton Kirk's year of learning about non-traditional worship in mind. They are held on varying days and times to accommodate different schedules. Each lasts for 75 minutes, with time for Q&A included. Our next session is Thursday, April 4 at 2pm ET. Click here to join us. Everyone is welcome!

In February, our topic was "Digital Myths and Misconceptions."

We have to ask questions. Operating in default mode is irresponsible.

Myth #1 - They'll Find You

People won't just show up online because you have a livestream. There have to be a variety of access points. The process by which people will discover you online is complicated and layered.

Myth #2 - You Have to be on Social Media

Our digital presences should be about ministry and not marketing. Not all churches are called to do this on social media. For those who choose to be there, it should be intentional and thoughtful about building relationships.

Myth #3 - You Have to Prioritize Worship.

Worship is the biggest hurdle for those hurt by the church or who feel disconnected from traditional church. By prioritizing only worship services online, we are communicating that we either do not see or do not care about these folks. Instead, we need to take a creative approach in which worship can be one part. Some examples include chats, book studies, support groups, sending out worshipful elements throughout the week, and texts letting folks know we are praying for them.

Myth #4 - Time is the Same

Time in the digital space is different than irl. Things may not always happen in real time, even though it is the work of building real relationships. The expectation is that we will coexist in the digital space together over a long period of time, and then connect in real time occasionally online.

Myth #5 - It's All Good

Social media is neither all good nor all bad. We have to engage responsibly and ask hard questions. We need to know the people we are trying to reach and their needs, and we need to be creative in trying to meet those needs. It is ministry, not marketing.

Myth #6 - You're an Expert

Churches have long held the position of experts, feeling they needed to show that they had all the answers. We might respect experts, but we don't often build meaningful connection with them. Instead, be an explorer, experiencing truth together. Using language that conveys feelings, emotions, and personal experience can be ways to explore in the digital space.

In March, we discussed "10 Ways to Foster Community in the Digital Space."

Community is built on trust. It takes time and positive touch points, and takes longer in the digital space. While a livestream can be valuable, it is not enough to foster meaningful relationships and community.

While no church can do everything, incorporating some of these strategies can help foster online community.

1. Create interactive online platforms Offer a range of options, which do not all have to be in real time. This can include virtual events, social media, and private spaces and forums for online interaction.
   

2. Encourage regular communication Be consistent with whatever type of communication you choose. Find a balance between communication that is meant just to deliver information (community news and bulletin board type information), and high value communication. High value, or gifted, communication is devoid of any expectation of a response. It is pure ministry. This might include devotionals and thoughtful letters that do not contain any ask.
   

3. Use online small groups Don't worry about initial low participation. This is a long-term process. Create and have a system available for once people have build trust and are ready to participate.
   

4. Provide online support Offer spaces for encouragement, online prayer groups, spaces for prayer requests, counseling, or means of emotional support.
   

5. Offer virtual volunteer opportunities Service to the community is a valuable part of being part of a church, even in a digital space. This can include digital fundraising challenges for a local charity, tutoring, letter writing campaigns, prayer chains, and other opportunities offered by community partners.
   

6. Celebrate milestones and achievements Foster a sense of shared joy and connection, and help people feel known and seen. (Always get permission before posting personal information or photos online.)
   

7. Utilize multi-media content Content creation is ministry, not just marketing. Offering differing access points creates more opportunities for spiritual growth. This does not have to be professional or hyper-produced. It also does not all have to be original content. Consider offering 2 or 3 different ways for people to engage, because different people have different learning styles. Take sermon-based content for example. You can extract the video of only the sermon from a worship service and post that. Then you can pull just the audio and post that on Spotify. And then you can post a written version of the sermon on a blog. One sermon: three different ways to engage with it online.
   

8. Online community challenges Offer opportunities to accomplish a goal together over a limited period of time. This could be a reading plan (like the Bible in a year), a fitness challenge, or a service project. These could be spiritual or not. Consider having a way to celebrate the end of the challenge.
   

9. Responsive leadership Staff and lay leaders need to be actively involved in online activities and discussions. The online experience is different but not less important than the in person experience and should be treated as such.
   

10. Feedback and adaptation Be open to failure and don't give up too soon.

We need to give up the expectation that everyone will "come back to church" in person. We are holding tightly to a model of church that no longer fits current reality at the expense of growth. As we look at the future of the church and non-traditional ways to be church together in the world, the digital space is an important frontier.

Up next: Building Digital Community: Part 3 - Our Book Group discussion of Building Your Digital Sanctuary