What Are Churches Struggling With Right Now?
In September 2020, we asked many of you, “What’s your biggest challenge right now in ministering online.” At that time, we received 34 responses that we’ve shared below.
If you want to join in this discussion, you can answer the question using the following link: “What’s your biggest challenge right now in ministering online?”
Victoria, Australia
Finding expert website builders that are more than just hobby wordpress template users. People that can create professional quick loading and interactive websites as well as coding unique elements into a site.
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Content and digital tools
Trinidad and Tobago
Reaching the unchurched in our location virtually.
Vanuatu
Not every one in my church are on line or are using internet. Only few youths and adults. Their activity on line is once a while only depending on their access to internet data. They may love to be online but only when they have money to pay for data. Having a constant income is a challenge and many do not know how to find their way around to access the internet and use it for discipleship. They use mobile phones for calls only and SMS and some use Facebook or IMO, but they are not frequent users. Many are just too busy with their work and have no time to spend with social media and the internet. They need to be trained and educated.
Victoria, Australia
Copyrighted content. Worship hosts historically rely heavily on media content (typically sourced from YouTube; video songs & other inspirational type) to include in the pre-sermon part of the program. With the possibility of YouTube axing content clips, or enforcing infringement strikes, they have opted to continue to host worship services within Zoom environment (which stifles outreach potential). Worked around this for now by publishing Zoom details on Socials, but not effective (imho)
Papua New Guinea
Convincing the older generation of the church’s leadership of the use of digital media
Brisbane, Australia
To build an App for church members. Is it possible to Zoom and chat about this?
Auckland, New Zealand
Getting buy-in and support from the “programmes-oriented” Board, which is disappointed given the wonderful, motivated, Video & Multimedia Productions Team we have assembled, and the roll-out (self & private funded) of modern, video & multimedia assets.
South Australia, Australia
Getting the church to understand the need for us to to jump on the bandwagon of digital discipleship – especially in our day and age.
Auckland, New Zealand
All energy is ministering to existing people and learning technology. How do we step back and get a bigger picture to reach beyond the borders of “church people” and structure our ministry and content accordingly?
Victoria, Australia
E-mail marketing
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Basic setup / equipment to help my church go online
Sydney, Australia
Inspiring and training our church family to personally evangelize through social media ie., to become Christian “influencers” for Jesus.
Sydney, Australia
How to raise and optimize our church’s online presence now that we have decided to discontinue our church app, which no longer offers value for money.
Auckland, New Zealand
Stay connected to each other as one via digital platform. Still in the learning process or not confident enough to step up in a position is not yours.
Newcastle, Australia
Lack of knowledge and experience in using technology to ministering online.
Indiana, USA
Funding for Adventist Digital Marketing services
Florida, USA
Engaging and retaining our guests so we can invite to Bible study.
Australia
Having our young people join us.
Sydney, Australia
Viewership is dropping. Need more information about the downward trend and how we can improve our reach.
Queensland, Australia
Our biggest challenge, which we are currently working on, is getting our “non-Zoom” members connected with the rest of us (we have an ageing demographic).
I believe we have a workable solution. This involves allowing our non-Zoom members to worship physically at the church building while the rest of us join in on Zoom.
Apart from that, we’re doing alright.
Indiana, USA
I need $2,588 for Digital Marketing services for one year from an Adventist marketing firm.
Puerto Rico
By the grace of Jesus, We are conected with the apps Facebook live, Zoom and Youtube.
Australia
Regional churches doing church the way they did in a church, minus the music. It needs to be different to capture and/or keep the audience
New Zealand
Ideas from our own church mumbers on what we can minister online. What do we do well in our church , what will this look like? Having that conversation.
Sydney, Australia
Being relevant to young people online and current issues. We cant always livestream our order of service every sabbath. Also need to check ur online analytics to improve.
New Zealand
Have a plan that is a cohesive and consistent journey especially when it comes to reaching new people
New Zealand
Not doing church as a livestream/Zoom version of the way we do it normally when in church.
Brisbane, Australia
How to set up and maintain a church web page.
Thailand
Creating relevant content and improving setup for sharing video content
New Zealand
Nothing really
Papua New Guinea/Auckland, New Zealand
Knowing what is the right thing to post – content-wise and statements
So, What’s Next?
Well, if you saw something you identified with, then good! You know you’re not alone – you’re not the only one struggling with that problem. You can also get a bigger picture of what’s happening in the online church landscape.
For our part, we’ll use this information to drive our content, resources and live streams. And, if you have any solutions to the problems listed, contact us at digitaldisciples [at] adventist.org.au and share the idea with us.
Thank you so much. I appreciate this very much. I now understand that we are struggling like many others. We hope you get more insights into how we can strengthen our online presence in Fiji.
Vinaka Tavale.. By the Grace of God,He will lead our way forward, Just Go!