A Seminar to Help Churches Use Technology for Outreach

Introduction Reaching Out in a Digital World is designed to help your congregation: Recognize and understand the many technological tools available for use in outreach Develop a plan to use the most appropriate digital tools to spread the gospel Mobilize congregation members to use digital tools for personal evangelism Determine clear goals for outreach using the tools of today All links and additional resources are available at Reaching Out in a Digital World 2

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Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, we know that you are unchanging. Your grace was, is and will always be sufficient for us. But you have placed us in a changing world. Please help us to recognize those changes that we can use to further spread your gospel. Help us to make smart decisions regarding our resources and how they can be best used to reach out in this digital world. Open our hearts and pour into them a passion to use whatever means you have provided for this purpose. Amen. Reaching Out in a Digital World 4

1 Corinthians 9: Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Reaching Out in a Digital World 5

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. Reaching Out in a Digital World 6

Organizing Cool Tools You Can Use Today Things to Do Today 7Reaching Out in a Digital World

Possible Candidates for Communications Technology Committee Get into your group and write down at least five possible candidates for this committee. An ideal size for the committee would be three to five members who serve for two years and then rotate off systematically. (5 min) 8Reaching Out in a Digital World

Technology/Digital Outreach Plan Introduction Church Mission Statement Technology philosophy Church’s vision for the future regarding technology Background Information Goals Current Technology Status Design Benefits and Impact on Outreach Program Implementation Plan Monitoring, Evaluating and Revising the Plan Reaching Out in a Digital World 9

Technology Plan Philosophy and Vision Get into your group and write down how you would fill out section 1.b and 1.c of the sample communications plan. (10 min) Reaching Out in a Digital World10

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Pick and Discuss Two Technologies Assign each group at least two of the core technologies listed above. Each group should discuss how the technology could be used for outreach. Think in terms of content, audience and frequency. Report back to the larger group when done. (10 min) Reaching Out in a Digital World12

Immediate Next Steps in your Digital Outreach Strategy In your group, determine what immediate next steps you need to take in your congregation to advance a digital outreach strategy. Be specific, assign responsibility and a due date. (5 min) Reaching Out in a Digital World13

How the Web has influenced outreach The Five Don’ts The Five Do’s Search Engine Optimization 14Reaching Out in a Digital World

How the Web Has Influenced Outreach “A person can be brought to faith solely through what they find on a website.” “The most important thing to put on a church website is a map to the church.” Evangelism Toolbox Video Segment Reaching Out in a Digital World 15

Visitors and your website In your group, answer the questions: 1) What do visitors find when they come to my church’s website? 2) What do you want the visitor to do when they come to our website? (5 min) Reaching Out in a Digital World16

Evangelistic Website Definition A website that looks to introduce and invite a visitor to your congregation AND keeps them coming there long enough so they can make a decision to DO something. Reaching Out in a Digital World 17

Every group inside & outside church Reaching Out in a Digital World 18 GroupWhat will they want to find on your website? EXAMPLE: New parent of a prospective Sunday School Student EXAMPLE: They might like to find a list of Sunday teachers, their pictures and what is in the curriculum for the current Sunday School year. In addition, a calendar of days and times sessions will run might be useful.

The Five Don’ts Evangelism Toolbox Video Segment Mix internal and external communications Oversell your church Forget about your content Let the visitor leave without knowing why you exist Let the visitor leave without knowing what your church is like Reaching Out in a Digital World 19

Five Don’ts Discussion In your group, pick one of the five don’ts and talk about why this is important to avoid in your digital outreach strategy. (5 min) Reaching Out in a Digital World20

The Five Do’s Evangelism Toolbox Video Segment Dedicate enough staff Focus on quality Make sure things can be found Focus on events, not institutions Get help Reaching Out in a Digital World 21

Five Do’s Discussion In your group pick one of the five do’s and talk about why this is important to include in your digital outreach strategy. (5 min) Reaching Out in a Digital World22

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Add content regularly Code it correctly Increase external incoming links Know who’s visiting Use online resources Reaching Out in a Digital World 23

Audio Podcasting Video Streaming Promotional Videos Short Video Mobile Phones and Text Messaging Technology Classes Reaching Out in a Digital World24

Creating your own storyboard Gather into your groups. Below get a start on your story by creating a storyboard that could serve as the outline for a promotional video for your church. A mixture of words and pictures are fine. Elements to consider are a welcome message, testimonials, clips of congregational life, a Law/Gospel presentation, an invitation, still shots of people, worship, Bible class, etc. (15 min) Reaching Out in a Digital World25

Short Video Cross of Christ Video How might this type of video be used? List as many church events as you can that could be singled out for promotion to prospects. Reaching Out in a Digital World 26

share your ideas 27Reaching Out in a Digital World

Social Networks Blogs Reaching Out in a Digital World28

Facebook friend suggesting Jesus Read the blog post Discuss how the concepts there apply to evangelism In general Developing online relationships in specific Reaching Out in a Digital World 29

Brainstorm digital acquaintances In your group, brainstorm possible groupings of digital acquaintances or contacts with whom relationships could be built. (5 min) Reaching Out in a Digital World30

Questions?