We all want to build a stronger community in our churches. But church community building is easier said than done. Add on top of that the fact that our world is constantly changing, and things start to get pretty difficult.
In our digital world, building a strong church community looks different than it used to. People spend a lot of time online, so churches need to find new ways to connect with them. Church isn’t just about meeting on Sundays anymore—it’s about staying connected throughout the week, even if we can’t be together in person.
The goal is to create a place where everyone feels welcome and supported, whether online or in person. While technology helps us stay connected, the most important part of any church community is building relationships, sharing faith, and growing together. By using both old and new ways to connect, churches can stay strong and help more people feel like they belong.
In this podcast, we’ll explore everything you need to know about building your community in this digital world. Then, we’ll dive into our top 7 secrets to helping you do that.
Let’s dive in.
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Table of contents
Creating Community in a Digital World
Let’s start by exploring church community building in our digital age. We’ll cover all the reasons why you should care about building your community in the first place, the evolution of community building over time, and why today’s digital age makes it harder than ever to do it.
Why Building Community is Important
Building community is essential to the mission of the church. From the time of Jesus Christ, Christians have gathered to grow in their faith, support one another, and share the gospel. The early church thrived because it was built on relationships and a shared sense of purpose.
When people feel connected, they experience greater spiritual growth. Being part of a church body means having people to pray with, learn from, and lean on during hard times. A strong community also helps the local church to grow, as it attracts others who are seeking meaningful relationships and a place to belong. Church leadership plays a key role in fostering this sense of belonging, making sure every member feels valued and included.
For a church to thrive, whether it’s an established congregation or a new church plant, community must always be a top priority.
The Evolution of Community Building
In the early church, believers we’re meeting in homes and breaking bread together. They didn’t have large church buildings or formal programs; instead, they gathered in small groups and focused on relationships. As Christianity spread, churches grew larger, and the way people built community changed.
Over time, local churches began to organize events, Bible studies, and outreach programs to help people connect and grow in their faith. Church leadership developed systems to help members feel involved and cared for, whether through small groups, Sunday school classes, or volunteer opportunities.
Today, the ways we build community continue to evolve. Technology has made it possible for churches to connect with people in new ways. Social media, video calls, and live-streamed services allow the church body to stay in touch, even when they can’t meet in person.
However, the heart of community building remains the same: it’s about relationships, support, and shared faith. As the world changes, churches must adapt while keeping these core values at the center of their efforts.
Challenges of Building Community in the Digital Age
While technology offers new opportunities for church growth, it also presents some challenges for building community. The local church is meant to be a place where people gather physically, worship together, and form personal connections. But in the digital age, it can be harder to maintain those close relationships. Virtual gatherings lack the personal touch of face-to-face interaction, making it difficult for some to feel truly connected to the church body.
According to Pew Research Center, 55% of teens regularly spend time with their friends online rather than in-person.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. All it means is that the world is changing, and the nature of connections are changing. If connecting with the next generations means that some of that connection is online, then so be it.
But church leadership must work harder to engage people online, ensuring that digital platforms don’t replace real-life community. It can also be a challenge to balance the needs of both in-person and online members, especially for new church plants or smaller congregations. Finding creative ways to build relationships and encourage spiritual growth in a virtual environment takes time and effort.
Despite these challenges, the mission of the church remains the same: to build community, support one another, and grow in faith. With the right approach, the church can continue to thrive in the digital age, reaching more people and helping them experience the love of Jesus Christ.
Top 7 Digital Secrets to Building Church Community
And there’s your primer! That’s everything you need to know about building church community in this day and age. Technology is advancing quickly, and if we want to connect with people these days, we have to embrace all of the tools at our disposal.
In this section, we’ll cover our list of the top 7 secrets to building church community using digital tools.
1. Use Social Media Wisely
Using social media wisely is important for building a church community in the digital age. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be great tools for keeping members connected and sharing your church’s message.
Instead of just posting announcements, focus on creating content that encourages engagement. Share uplifting messages, Bible verses, and testimonies. Ask questions or start discussions to get people talking and involved. Social media is also a great place to promote upcoming events or service opportunities.
Respond to comments and messages to show that church leadership is listening and cares about the community. When used thoughtfully, social media can help grow your church and build stronger connections between members.
2. Equip Leadership for Digital Ministry
Equipping church leadership for digital ministry is essential in today’s world. Leaders need to know how to use technology to stay connected with the church body and help others grow spiritually. Training pastors and leaders to use tools like social media, live-streaming, and video calls can help them better serve the community.
It’s important that they understand how to foster genuine relationships online, just as they would in person. By offering support, prayer, and teaching through digital platforms, leaders can help the church grow stronger. Digital ministry also allows leaders to carry one another’s burdens,” offering care and guidance, even from a distance. When church leadership is well-equipped, they can meet the needs of the community in both new and traditional ways.
3. Build Small Groups Online
Building small groups online is a great way to keep your church connected and growing. Virtual small groups allow members to meet regularly, even if they live far away or have busy schedules. These groups can be used for Bible study, prayer, or support, creating a close-knit community where people can share and grow together. Here’s how to build online small groups effectively:
- Use video platforms like Zoom or Google Meet for face-to-face interaction.
- Keep groups small to encourage deeper conversations and personal connections.
- Set a regular meeting time that works for everyone.
- Create a group focus, such as Bible study, prayer, or support.
- Encourage participation, ensuring everyone has a chance to share.
Online small groups can strengthen relationships and foster spiritual growth, no matter where people are.
4. Use Email Newsletters
Using email newsletters is a great way to keep your church community informed and engaged. Regular newsletters can provide updates on upcoming events, share inspirational messages, and offer resources like devotionals or study guides. They help maintain a connection with members who might not attend every service or event.
To make newsletters effective, keep them clear and concise, with engaging content that reflects the church’s mission and values. Include important dates, volunteer opportunities, and any special announcements.
By sending out newsletters consistently, you help members stay connected to the church’s activities and teachings. It’s also a way to encourage them to get involved and support one another, building a stronger, more informed community.
5. Set Up Digital Prayer Requests and Groups
Setting up digital prayer requests and groups helps your church community stay connected and support one another outside of a Sunday morning. Create an online space, like a private Facebook group or a section on your church website, where members can share their prayer needs.
This allows everyone to pray for each other and offer support, even if they can’t be together in person. Encourage members to post their requests and respond with words of encouragement or prayer. Digital prayer groups can also meet regularly via video calls to pray together and discuss their needs.
This setup helps build a sense of community and shows that you care about each person’s struggles and joys. It’s a simple yet powerful way to keep everyone spiritually connected and supported.
6. Post Clips and Recordings
Posting service clips and recordings is a great way to keep your church community engaged, even if they missed a service. By sharing highlights from sermons or worship sessions, you make it easier for people to catch up on what they missed. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Record the service using good quality audio and video equipment.
- Edit clips to highlight key moments or teachings.
- Post on social media and your church website for easy access.
- Include summaries or key takeaways to make it easier for viewers to understand the message.
Sharing these recordings helps keep everyone connected, allows for reflection on the message, and can reach people who might not be able to attend in person.
7. Provide Online Giving and Donations
Providing online giving and donations makes it easy for your church community to support the church financially, even when they can’t attend in person. Set up a simple, secure online giving platform on your church’s website or through an app. This allows members to donate using their computers or smartphones at any time.
Make sure the process is straightforward and clearly explained, so people feel comfortable using it. Promote online giving through emails, social media, and during services to remind everyone of the option.
Offering online donations helps ensure that the church continues to receive support, making it easier for members to contribute whenever it’s convenient for them. This method is especially helpful during times when physical attendance is limited.
Building Community
Building a strong church community in the digital age involves using technology wisely and staying connected in new ways. By embracing digital tools, fostering genuine relationships, and making it easy for members to participate and give, your church can thrive both online and offline.
Online platforms help keep everyone engaged, from live-streaming services to setting up digital prayer groups and small groups. Social media and email newsletters keep members informed and connected, while online giving makes supporting the church simple and convenient.
Even though technology changes how we connect, the core of building a community remains the same: supporting one another, sharing faith, and growing together. With thoughtful use of these tools, your church can build a vibrant, caring community that reaches far beyond physical walls, offering a place of connection and spiritual growth for everyone.
Let us know of any other ideas you have for building community in the digital age in the comments below!
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