As temperatures drop and skies gray, many people naturally experience a drop in attitude as well. Shorter days and frigid weather often translate into fewer social interactions and physical activity. Seasonal depression is a very real thing as the winter season can really bring people down while also reawakening grief glossed over by the Christmas season..
With every season comes a new opportunity and this winter season, especially with students, seniors, and singles is no different, Churches can use digital ministry and tools to combat the potential winter blues.
Here are a few examples of what your Church's Digital Ministry can do this winter to support and encourage people.
Share Connection Ideas and Opportunities
Over the winter when people tend to stay indoors more because of the cold. Counter the tendency for people to disconnect by posting consistently on your social platforms (both Stories and Feed), emails and websites that encourages connection and get togethers. It could be an online or in person connection. Share pictures and posts of small groups gathered together, people having coffee or meeting up, ministry teams planning events that are getting ready to happen and other encouragement of how people can get connected during the winter months. Creating and sharing devotionals that encourage connectedness can also be very encouraging.
Share Mental Health Resources
With seasonal depression happening over the winter months, sharing some mental health resources or counseling support can help people feel encouraged and equipped for when they encounter a tough day(s). Also, if you have a counselor on staff or have a one that you can recommend, share that so that people can connect with him or her if needed.
Discipleship Opportunities
Christmas time is usually a time of joy. However, once Christmas turns into the New Years with a few more months of colder temperatures and darker days, that joy may wain. The great news is that the good news of Jesus and the HOPE found in Him doesn't not change. Use platforms like YouTube, podcasts, TikTok, and Instagram to regularly encourage them in Christ. Create devotionals or encouragement for people that will reveal our hope in Christ. You can even do specific winter themes addressing some of the issues people deal with and encounter during these months.
Conclusion
This winter, use your church’s digital ministry to combat isolation and encourage people with community in a variety of ways.
Offer connections that warm hearts all season long.
What do you think? What other ways your digital ministry can help people this winter? Share your ideas below or on social media.
Through The Church Digital, we are helping physical and digital churches better understand the discipleship process, and helping churches and church planters understand this and other decentralized mindset shifts. By taking this quick survey we can get you connect with a coach, resources and more. Also, check out our Facebook Group where we are encouraging people daily.
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