What will the local church look like in the future? That was the subject of discussion I was invited into recently. And the number of answers was greater than the number of participants. There was a lack of certainty but a multitude of possibilities.
The one agreed on practise that defines a local church is gathering together. Even if the gathering is two or three together. Where and how that gathering occurs is the subject of those multiple possibilities.
Where Two or Three Are Together
Gathering together is vital for the church, but gathering will look different than it once did. The future of the local church is bringing onsite and online together to have the biggest impact possible on all people.
Many churches are still getting the hang of live streaming their churches, so implementing an online campus is just not in the cards right now.
If that’s your church, what you can do moving forward is to bring in one of several digital elements and content that can be shared online.
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Preach a brief message to share on YouTube.
Pre-record a short devotional.
Record an answer to a question people are asking like, “How can I know if God exits?”
Record Bible study content.
Record a leadership lesson you learned during COVID.
Record a story of life change from someone in your church.
Post the story of someone who is struggling in some area.
Share a story from your community engagement.
It’s true these take time and energy. So start with one idea. And make it something you’ll enjoy sharing.
There are endless amounts of ways you can utilize social media, email, your website, and more to reach people online.
Big on Small
The local church of the future will be big on small and being linked.
The house church or small group model capitalizes on physical, smaller-scale gatherings that are COVID safe and digitally linked. This model of church is perfect for this present moment as well as years to come.
Groups gather in homes and:
stream your church service.
watch a pre-recorded message with discussion notes for Bible study.
Groups gather online and:
watch a service together on Zoom
discuss content in a breakout room
Zoom gatherings are best kept to less than 70 minutes. Plan for and give people permission to leave the meeting after 70 minutes and then continue for those who are able to stay.
People need to be around people to thrive and grow, but we need to adjust the methods in which we gather to accomplish this.
What are you thoughts on the local church of the future?
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.