If you are planning a virtual church social, there are several steps you need to take to ensure it goes off without a hitch. The first step is to make sure that you have all the resources you need. This includes E-membership, COVID-19, and a personal relationship with your audience.
Prepare for telemediated virtual church socials
Telemediated virtual church socials are just the latest example of organisations incorporating innovative technology to enhance the experience of their members. These services are particularly useful for members who are not able to make it to church on a regular basis. Aside from providing a new venue for worship, these services help dislocated worshipers widen their connections to existing relationships.
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The emergence of the virtual church was not as unheard of as you might think. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many individuals and congregations were forced to reinvent the wheel. Some religious denominations and organisations were forced to experiment with a range of services to accommodate the changing nature of the world.
As the pandemic wore on, more and more churches and institutions started offering their own versions of telemediated virtual church socials. However, not every organisation has the technical expertise to develop a viable service. Consequently, most congregations continue to operate in the hybrid mode.
Build a personal relationship
Building a personal relationship through virtual church socials may seem counterintuitive for many, but it has been shown to be effective. In fact, it has helped a number of people reconnect with the church.
The technology is relatively simple. A live stream, for example, involves a single camera pointing at a screen. As such, it is an ideal way to connect with people whose schedules might not allow them to attend services in person. However, the technology isn’t the only advantage of this service. It also allows congregants who are currently locked in their churches to have access to worship services.
An online church can also help students who are away from home retain a healthy social life. They won’t feel out of place and can find information without having to get out of their comfort zones.
Reach people outside of your church
If you’ve always wanted to share the message of Jesus with people who have never attended your church, you might want to consider creating a virtual church. This community can be found anywhere, anytime.
In today’s 24/7 technology age, a virtual church is a necessity. With the popularity of websites like Facebook, it’s possible to create a page for your congregation and start promoting your online services.
Virtual churches can include podcasts, online giving, live streaming, and interviewing your congregation members. While these options will help your online attendees learn more about your church, they also have the potential to bring in new attendees.
The easiest way to get your congregation to engage with the social media is to use hashtags. By using relevant, popular hashtags, you can track your audience and see how they interact with your posts.
E-membership
Using social media to bring the church family together can be a powerful tool. Whether it’s the church website, Facebook, or Twitter, there are a few tips and tricks to follow to make sure your digital ministry is successful.
One of the most important elements of e-church is connecting with younger members. Churches can offer social events and activities to help the younger generation feel connected. This can be done in person or through social media.
For example, Willow’s virtual church has a Kids & Students section that offers a video introduction to the church along with options for parents. The group also offers newsletters and a parent Facebook group.
Another good e-church idea is to offer online prayer. Prayer is a vital part of the Christian faith and many members find peace and joy through this practice.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced religious denominations, organisations and individuals to adapt and experiment with new forms of service delivery. It has also raised questions about the relationship between religion and social media. In this paper, I explore the ways in which telemediated church socials provided a reconnection between people and place.
Across England, COVID-19 led to an unprecedented response from churches. They responded by creating an interconnected network of temporary sacred spaces that connected people in shared worship and fellowship.
Congregations created a virtual Christian church in their homes. Members of the congregations could participate by playing piano, singing, delivering phone calls and coloring pictures. All were facilitated by film editing software.
Many of these services were also telemediated, enhancing the existing relationships between church members. These services support existing and new relationships and widen the scope of access to those who may otherwise be unable to attend worship.