Essential Tech for Churches

As we all know and can see around us, technology has changed, and continues to change the world. For some churches, change like that can be understandably intimidating. Others may see it as a welcomed new tool to use for communication with the congregation. Still others see it as a modern opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission in a new way. Regardless of your opinion on it, digital technology is used by nearly everyone today, and we can help you use technology to better your congregation – whatever goals you might have.

Our Two Tech Essentials for the Church Today

The buzz around church tech is using the internet in ways that help churches connect with their congregations. The very basics here are your website and your social media presence, which includes all the things that go with that like streaming your services.

Think you’re already covered on both those fronts? There are likely still ways you can improve those!

Your Church Website

First and foremost, we believe that a website is absolutely essential for any congregation. Gone are the days where people will show up just because they saw your sign. 90% of potential church visitors under 40 years old will research your church online before ever deciding to visit in person. A proper website is not something you should leave to Deacon Bob’s nephew who just took a web design class. Your website should have a good content management platform behind it, so it stays updated with the vital information you need to provide to both your current members and potential visitors.

This is the minimum info your website should include:

• Your church name and location – while this might be obvious, it’s something that’s easy to overlook. Include the FULL name of the church and not an acronym. For example, use Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church and not Mt. Pleasant UMC. Include the FULL address as well so that people can find you – including your city. When people are looking for churches, they will often search for “churches near me”. If your physical address is not included anywhere on your site, you won’t be included in the search results.
• An invitation to visit – while you may believe an invitation is implied, it isn’t. Your website’s Call-to-Action should be an invitation to visit.
• Beliefs and Mission - when someone is deciding whether to join or visit a church, they usually want to find a church that aligns with their beliefs and values. The spectrum of theological beliefs is wide, so be sure to proclaim yours!
• What worship looks like to you – it’s intimidating to visit a new church, particularly if you don’t know what to expect. Put people at ease by letting them know what a service looks. Things to mention are what type of clothing might be expected, the type of music you use in worship, about how long a service will last, and how kids are handled. Even in church traditions with set liturgical practices, the flavor of your congregation can still lead to visitor questions. Including a YouTube video (more about this later) of a service on your site would be even better so they can see you in action. Consider all this digital hospitality to answer questions before they get asked!
• What makes your congregation unique – every church congregation has a story. What is your church’s personality? How you describe your story can provide a clue to your visitors. If your church is more traditional with a set liturgy, use more formal language. If your church is more casual and contemporary, you can use a more casual tone. Regardless, provide some context about where you came from and include some images of your congregation in action.

All of the above items we consider essential, but your website can and should have so much more! Show the heart of your church through photos, stories and events. Communicate about what’s happening on your campus, particularly when you have a vibrant community that shares both their faith and their lives together. Give opportunities for individual faith development, community service and community outreach. The list goes on and on for how a church can impact members and visitors alike.

Your Social Media Presence

Social media is here to stay, and its influence continues to grow. Take advantage of that influence and growth to help your church! We suggest, at a minimum, having several types of accounts because they target different audiences...and typically a church embraces many different demographics in your member base. Be sure to add links to your social channels on your website so that people can find them more readily, and link back to your website on each of your social channels in case someone finds your social channel first.

• Facebook – 70% of adults in the United State have a Facebook account. Make sure that your church has a business page (not a personal account), and that you keep it updated with current information. Ensure that you fill in information sections so that you are more easily searchable. Post frequently (meaning at least once per week), ideally with an image or video on your post to give interest. If you haven’t posted in weeks or months, your church won’t appear to be vibrant.
• Instagram – If you’re wanting to reach the younger crowd, Instagram is the best social channel to use. More than 75% of people in the US between 18 and 24 have an account and use it frequently. Nearly 60% of Millennials (25 to 30 year-olds) have an account. This is a key demographic for church growth – young adults with families. Instagram is more image- and short video (Reels)- driven, so remember those details. We highly suggest posting little vignettes of what is going on in your congregation. When you’re having a spaghetti supper, post a picture of a spaghetti plate. Better yet, do a quick Reel video to show people what’s going on. You may be amazed at the response from sharing images. We know a picture is worth a thousand words!
• YouTube – We consider this to be one of the biggest pieces of the social media puzzle. YouTube offers your congregation the opportunity to livestream services and to record them for later viewing, all at no cost. Your church’s pastor could record a quick introductory video that can be embedded on your website’s home page. A brief, warm, and enthusiastic video explanation of what your church is about can go a long way toward making people feel welcome. With videos, make sure they are properly titled, including things like the name of the sermon or the event that you are recording. Your YouTube Channel will allow folks to go back to videos over time, so identifying the “what” and “when” can be important for longevity.

For more information on social media use, feel free to read our previously published social media guide.

• Part 1 - Getting Started with Social Media
• Part 2 - Best Practices for Social Posts
• Part 3 - Analytics: How Am I Doing? w/ Pro Tips!

Need Help with Your Church Tech?

WTE Solutions is here to help. We have experience in helping churches get their online presence buttoned up so that what you present on all fronts looks cohesive. All of the technology pieces your church uses should work together. There are many more things in the realm of technology that you need to know and “do” well. If we can be of assistance in helping your church with its tech needs – from websites and social media to streaming equipment, sound systems, and technology plans, feel free to reach out. We love working with churches and can offer discounted rates on many services and equipment for you.