Okay, hopefully your lead pastor hasn't looked you in the eyes and said these words. Church Online has stepped up in a big way for a lot of churches in this COVID season. Many, many churches are learning lessons in this season. We've talked about (and will continue to talk) digital first, and we will continue the conversation soon. Our world culture is changing; church culture with it. But there's a bigger question: What about the churches that don't want to change? adapt? adjust?
And herein lies the problem. Cause for the past couple months some of have have gotten a taste of Online Ministry. You love the interaction. You love the relational connection. You love engaging with people, digitally. But the church that you work, that you volunteer with... well, they're just not passionate about Online Ministry. They can't wait to get back to the building. And when it does, they think that it'll be going back to status quo.
How do you talk with leadership about your passion to continue Online Ministry? How can you convince them otherwise? Realize that your leadership may not be swayed, but when we've talked with high level leaders in churches, leaders who are "pro" church online, and "con" church online, these are the items that they would consider. As best as possible, work to take the "no's" off the table.
It Costs Nothing
Take the monthly maintenance of a building, or even the rental of a space. The amount that you're going to spend to do Online Ministry is pennies compared to the cost of physical ministry. Now, yes, you can add in custom apps, expensive equipment, and other bells and whistles... but how much do you need to spend now to build relationships with people online? A Facebook account costs nothing. Use what you got to establish validity. Online scales so much better than physical; our buildings are a lid compared to online.
You're Called to Online
Oftentimes, leadership wants to hear that you want to do this. They need to hear it. Sometimes questions are based on calling. Are you called to do this?
Volunteers are Excited to Serve
Are there attenders of your church who are excited to serve online? Oftentimes, hearing that volunteers are excited to serve, exciting to be on mission, in a certain area may sway thoughts. What are the volunteers thoughts who are serving in Online? Don't have any volunteers serving with you online? There's an easy way to fix that.
Tell Stories
One of the biggest hurdles with churches adopting Church Online is that they don't understand it. For hundreds of years we've been doing physical church. It's understandable that they're not able to adjust quickly in this COVID season. Tell stories of relationships being developed, of the lifechange happening. Put a face and a name of the ministry.
What Are Their Concerns?
This may take some humility on their part, but ask them what their concerns are? If you find yourself saying "I don't know what they're thinking..." then ask the question. Take the feedback from the team, and see what can be resolve. Maybe you'll never be able to take all the "no's" off the table unless you ask them.
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