As you choose which video types would work best for your online church and community, think about what matters most to them, while also offering what works best for you. Think about how you want them to develop in their lives as disciples of Christ. Then plan regular videos not just for Sunday AM, but even videos throughout the week. The goal is to try and do as many church life things you can, online. During this “social distancing” time – people will desire community, which you can achieve online by getting creative and pushing the boundaries.
Once you answer questions above,
- Online live service or prayer time for your church and local community using Facebook Live.
- Have people post a picture of their family watching screen or looking at Bible. (see comments on this livestream. https://www.facebook.com/riveroflifeva/posts/10158179970937070)
- online devotions from various locations (eg. cemetary, waterfall) and even by younger people.
- Eg. A pastor has daily 5 min video Scripture reflection, and then tells story of what someone in congregation did to serve their community. This reinforces behavior of service. (example)
- You could do this on Facebook, Instragram stories, or whatever social media that your congregants use.
- fun FB live videos from your team “hanging out”
- small groups online (eg. Facebook Live inside closed Facebook groups)
- Two people conversing about a topic. From 1 location, or from 2 different locations software like https://www.switcherstudio.com or https://be.live
- Prayer focus of the day, or call to fast or even invite prayer during a daily prayer walk
- eg. The parents who are facing extra challenges due to children being at home.
- Have 1-3 musicians from church sing worship songs and take prayer requests. invite people to comment or email prayer requests and spend 15 minutes praying for those needs, as well as local, state, national, global needs.
- Have evening service of mostly worship, with a little time in exhortation. 1
- Post credible resources to help people deal with anxiety, illness and isolation.
- For holidays, have everyone in church download a sheet to color and then photograph their family with the colored picture. Put these into a video slideshow with music.
- Make how-to Videos (eg Have family devotions; Pray the Bible; Live in Faith over Fear), Lament, Solitude, church history or Q&A videos. Images of tips work too. 1
- Get the free YouVersion Bible APP on your phone. Invite people to join you to study the Bible and pray online. Also look at tools like Prayermate and Time to Pray
- 24/7 Prayer virtual prayer room on coronavirus – link and other guides 1, 2
- Sharing kids Bible media for parents to use in their family devotions.
- Assemble an online team of people to stay in touch as a congregation and those most isolated through telephone, Facebook messenger, IG, or WhatsAPP.
- Phone conference calls.
- 30-60 second commercial of worship service. (sample) or 15 sec rotating image 1 or with multiple screens (sample)
- Hope Focused & Scripture Memes to be shared on all platforms. Some set up a list of helpful scriptures on their website.
- Make some videos with someone signing in American Sign Language (perhaps loaded onto another page that you occassionally promote on main Facebook page)
- Encourage church members to start discipleship groups after taking these free courses or mentor many who ask for prayer.
- Reach out to every person who usually gives and help them engage in online giving or any other relevant giving methods.
- Text members more often
- Find out which Social Media platforms your church is using. Get their handles.
- Ask questions on posts.
- Answer questions in comments live while they are most interested and pull others into the discussion.
- You could allow people to ask you questions through the week, and then answer them at a regularly scheduled time on Facebook Live.
- Create interesting Stories in Instagram
- Run social media ads in your city.
- seed/gardening exchange with pictures
- Let them know the church cares. Make sure people understand there are ways to maintain ties of community, to talk w/others, have needs met. Knowing there are others who care, others who are there for you and with you lessens fear.
- Reach out to business and find out how you can pray and help Post more about your community and less about your church
- Pastoral calls through FaceTime or Skype. Or assign leaders to regularly call a designated group of people.
- Customize graphics 1, 2, 3 with your own messages. Or make your own using Canva link, with easy-to-use graphic design templates in pre-made sizes for social media.
- Encourage people to start/keep a gratitude journal now. Jot down 2 or 3 gratitudes each night (or AM). “If you’re grateful, you’re not fearful.” – Br. David Steindl-Rast Make it a congregation-wide practice. Invite people to post gratitudes on your FB page.
- Invite people to submit videos of testimonies related to this season or to sermon topics
- Mix your own music video sample
- Website features: prayer requests, virtual meeting signup link Or possibly a landing page (1, 2) for a quick change. Or embed all components of a Sunday service on single page.
- Make video showing how to set up Facebook watch party. sample This shows up as a notification to all the friends of those who host the watch party. So it’s better than a share. By certain people doing it you’ll reach people you otherwise wouldn’t have because they don’t follow your page but they follow the person doing the watch party. The watch party host must make sure they answer questions from their friends who comment. Instructions.
- Prompt people to sign up for or check email
- Ask certain people to not only share, but to write a personal message why they think their friends would benefit.
- Update your Facebook banner that invites people to “watch live” or has people meeting in homes watching the church service.
- For every video that you have a man speak, try to have one that has a woman speak.
- Start a video podcast that is helpful to church members. (example) Use Anchor link
- Ask senior centers to broadcast live-stream services, providing options for shut-ins.
- Promote a Zoom conference with a game like Jeopardy but each question is like final Jeopardy where they have a notebook and a pen or marker and write down their answers. Do 10 questions and the person with the most right answers wins a gift card.
- Teach truth and/or denounce bad theology & false claims related to COVID19 https://pcpj.org/2020/03/18/the-five-worst-christian-responses-to-the-coronavirus-pandemic/
- Video announcing tomorrow’s service (a humorous sample) or unplugged concert
- Conversation recapping the sermon (sample)
- Take 2-7 minute clips of previous sermons, with topics most relevant to issues faced during crisis.
- Some churches like to honor high school or college graduates, or vets. Interview those willing instead.
- Make a plan of what you will post in the coming week and month. https://blog.triberr.com/content-curation-guide/
- Make a weekly schedule of what people can expect. 1, 2
- Make video getting families excited about getting ready for online service. 1, 2, 3
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