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January 22, 2019 8 Comments

Understanding the Internet Church as a Entry Point to the Physical Gathering – Rainer on Leadership #504

Podcast Episode #504

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The term “internet church” brings a mix of emotions and reactions from church leaders, but if your church is online, there are a few best practices to cover. Today, we discuss eight of them.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • Even if your church live-streams services, the physical gathering should be emphasized and be the priority.
  • Point to groups in your preaching to get people more involved in the community of the church.
  • When people give to a church, they become more connected to a church.
  • If you have an online service presence, you need an online prayer presence.

The eight points that we discuss are:

  1. Some people really cannot attend
  2. Clearly indicate the importance of the physical gathering to the internet church
  3. Provide discipleship resources
  4. Point to groups in the community
  5. Be bold about seeking financial stewardship participation
  6. Have a vibrant prayer ministry
  7. The necessity of a champion for the internet church
  8. Be creative in internet worship services

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

  • Prayer Engine
  • Pro-nounce
  • John Crist Virtual Reality Church

  • Brainerd Baptist Church Sermon Bumper

Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network


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Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Scrappy Church.

Related

Comments

  1. Mark R says

    January 22, 2019 at 7:55 am

    Your first highlight was specifically mentioned when I went to church this weekend (the church has a significant Internet presence). In fact it has been mentioned both of the last two weekends.

    PS–The John Crist video is hilarious. Surprised some church hasn’t actually DONE that yet.

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      January 22, 2019 at 7:57 am

      Yes it is!

      Reply
      • Paul says

        January 22, 2019 at 9:10 am

        Thom,
        I know this is a simple formula to minister to the shut-ins and military folks, but we simply post our auto recordings of sermons on Facebook and we tag folks in our comments section.
        We are a small rural church and this simple format has really made an impact on relationships with folks that simply cannot attend.

        Reply
        • Thom Rainer says

          January 22, 2019 at 9:12 am

          It works! I like it.

          Reply
        • Les Ferguson says

          January 22, 2019 at 10:19 am

          I agree with Thom’s comment. I’ve done the same thing in my ministry setting; rural, family-sized (~40 members, average age 72) colonial church. The response and connection made through audio messages is impactful. And it can be a vehicle to attract newcomers too. I have heard from more than one visitor that they have listened to my sermon online before attending.

          Reply
  2. Dave Dishman says

    January 22, 2019 at 3:10 pm

    I watch several sevices online. When people mention “pod casts” or “tweeting”, I don’t even know what they are. My suggestion is that everone who speaks should be mike trained. It’s really easy to change the channel when you cannot hear the speaker.

    Reply
  3. Dan says

    January 23, 2019 at 10:36 am

    As a native Detroiter who went to the Silverdome on numerous occasions (including to see Billy Graham) you have piqued my interest in “the story.”

    Reply
  4. David Johnson says

    January 25, 2019 at 9:07 am

    While my webcast team is ministering via webcast, we are also ministering to the webcast crew.

    Over half of my webcast crew would not be involved in the church at all if it were not for their participation in the technical side of the service. Their participation in the webcast brings their whole family into the church. Webcasting and technical support gives them purpose and a connection to the service that simple attendance does not.

    One of my struggles as the ministry team leader is how to mentor them to deeper faith from within the webcast ministry.

    Reply

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