Summer’s end often signifies a whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities for families as they prepare for a new school year. Amid the hustle and bustle of the back-to-school season, church leaders have a golden opportunity to remind families that their church is there to support their spiritual growth, regardless of how busy life becomes. By embracing digital discipleship tools and strategies, churches can connect with their congregation in meaningful ways, fostering a vibrant community even during the most hectic times.

Take Note of The Challenges Families are Facing

Classes will be back in session, but that doesn’t mean families will be ready or eager for the new season. In this hectic period, they’re experiencing a range of challenges that can cause stress and strain family dynamics, including:

• Time Management and Scheduling: Juggling school routines, extracurricular activities, and family commitments can leave little time for spiritual practices and community involvement. Parents may find themselves juggling work responsibilities while trying to ensure their children are prepared and confident for the new academic year.
• Academic Pressures: Students face increased academic demands, which can lead to stress and reduced family time.
• Social and Emotional Adjustments: The transition back to school can bring about social and emotional challenges for both children and parents, making it crucial for families to find support and balance.

Ensure Families Can Count on Your Church

Churches often serve as pillars of the community, offering not only spiritual guidance but also tangible resources and emotional support. From organizing school supply drives to providing counseling services, churches help ease the transition for students and parents alike. By fostering a sense of community and offering practical assistance, your church plays a crucial role in ensuring that families are well-prepared and confident as they embark on a new academic year.

• Emotional and Spiritual Guidance: Churches can offer emotional and spiritual guidance through sermons, counseling, and prayer sessions. We discussed the challenges that families are facing during this hectic period—by addressing those specific concerns, church leaders can provide comfort and reassurance.
• Practical Help and Resources: Your community is filled with experts from various fields who are willing to offer their services. By providing families with practical support, such as tutoring programs, parenting workshops, and stress management resources, you can alleviate some of the pressures families face during this time.
• Safety Comes First: You can alleviate any concerns from parents in your congregation by completing comprehensive background checks on all your staff and volunteers that work with young children. Platforms like SecureSearch—seamlessly integrated with your ChMS—can thoroughly vet individuals, and their Safeguard from Abuse training program will help your team better identify and prevent any potential issues.
• Community Support: Fostering a supportive community where families can share their struggles and triumphs helps build resilience. Encourage your congregants to support one another and find ways to create a strong network of care and encouragement. Fortunately, digital tools can help your church stay connected with families, even when their busy schedules prevent in-person engagement.

Digital Discipleship 101

As the world becomes increasingly digital, churches must adapt to stay relevant and connected with their congregation. Digital discipleship allows churches to reach members who may not be able to attend in-person services regularly due to busy schedules or geographical constraints. This approach leverages technology to provide a myriad of benefits and opportunities for worship, learning, and connection.

• Flexibility and Accessibility: Livestreaming services, online Bible studies, and virtual prayer groups offer flexibility for families. Host virtual events and workshops focused on relevant topics, such as time management, stress reduction, and parenting during the school year. Providing these resources online ensures accessibility for all. They can be accessed anytime and from any location, allowing families to engage with their faith amid their busy schedules.
• Enhanced Community Building: Online platforms facilitate continuous interaction among congregation members. Leverage social media platforms and messaging apps to keep your congregation informed, engaged, and connected. Promote the formation of online small groups where families can connect, share experiences, and support each other. These groups can meet virtually, allowing for flexible participation. Regular updates, inspirational posts, and interactive discussions can also help to maintain a sense of community.
• Continuous Spiritual Growth: Digital discipleship ensures that spiritual growth does not halt when life gets busy. Develop a variety of digital resources, including video sermons, podcasts, and interactive Bible studies, to cater to different interests and schedules. With a wealth of online sermons, podcasts, devotionals, and study guides, families can maintain and deepen their spiritual practices even during the back-to-school season.

C is for Connection

Embracing digital discipleship isn’t just about implementing shiny new tools. It’s about discovering innovative ways to meet people where they are. By employing digital strategies, you not only keep your congregation connected but also fortify the church’s role as an essential source of guidance and strength.

What’s your back-to-school approach? Let us know. We’d love to connect with you and, together, build community, connection, and belonging.

Four years ago, Pushpay welcomed me into its family through the acquisition of Church Community Builder. Before that, I wore the hat of Head of Software and Technology at CCB for two years. So, I’ve spent the better part of a decade helping churches strengthen community, connection, and belonging through technology.

Pushpay has grown and changed since I first joined, but one thing has remained the same—our drive to meet the needs of mission-based organizations. Our goal has always been to use technology to connect people and grow relationships within the Church. In 2020, we announced the launch of ChurchStaq, which combines giving, app, and ChMS. Even then, we wanted to bring tools together for our customers—helping build relationships, creating bridges between technology, and connecting church administrators to the data and information they need to keep their congregants engaged.

Fast forward four years and both technology and the Church have continued to evolve at a rapid pace. We’ve witnessed a major shift towards online and digital tools for communication, engagement, and giving. And with that increase in technology usage comes an increase in data, too.

The data a church keeps can provide a bird’s-eye view of congregational health and pave the way for individual follow-ups. But it takes the right skills and strategies, like data literacy, to make sense of it all.

Data Literacy Within the Church

According to our latest State of Church Tech report, 46% of churches are exploring analytics or data insights today. Yet while  data and analytics are on the rise, there is still some insecurity among the Church on how to leverage data in day-to-day interactions to move their ministry forward. As a leading SaaS company, one of our goals is to help churches improve their data literacy—to strengthen their ability to gather, understand, analyze, and communicate data in meaningful ways.

Data is everywhere and accessibility is growing, so it’s essential to have tools and staff in place to make sense of it and use it effectively. This isn’t just about reviewing numbers and creating charts. It also involves understanding different types of data, like demographics, engagement touchpoints, and giving, while always remembering that each data point reflects an action of a real person. When churches combine all this data and look at the picture it paints, leaders can better understand their congregation’s needs and tailor their communication and engagement strategies accordingly.

Once you’ve wrapped your head around those data points, it’s time to pull out some useful insights. This is where technology becomes crucial. With the right tool, churches can do more than just visualize their data—they can act on it.

Introducing Pushpay Insights

Our latest product, Pushpay Insights, is a comprehensive analytics tool that provides a centralized view with deep insights into giving trends, member engagement, and overall church health. With this information at their fingertips, church leaders are empowered to make data-driven decisions to better know and grow their church.

Pushpay Insights unlocks a clearer and deeper understanding of a church’s health from attendance to giving to engagement. One of church leaders’ biggest concerns is people falling through the cracks. Now, church staff can better understand gaps and opportunities within their community and ensure those vital check-ins happen so that, in the long run, they can improve engagement and retention. Pushpay Insights clues you in on how people are engaging, disengaging, or even signaling distress, allowing your team to proactively reach out and minister to your people.

Empowering Pastors As Technology Evolves

I’ve been working in tech for mission-based organizations for six years and have seen firsthand how technology and data can strengthen relationships. Pushpay Insights paves the way for deeper engagement for churches and empowers leaders with easy-to-use tools so they can focus on what matters most—their people.

To help churches better understand how to leverage Pushpay Insights, we’ve launched a new learning path on Pushpay University, designed to help leaders understand how to get the most value out of church engagement data. We aim to continue improving data literacy for churches and utilizing technology to strengthen our communities and further their mission of connection and belonging.

It’s an exciting time for both technology and the Church, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next.

TAKE A TOUR

Tithing is deeply rooted in our religious traditions dating back to Old Testament times. Whether it’s through contributing to the physical offering basket or online, your donors’ generosity is vital. As a church leader, you know first-hand how tithing helps your ministry: maintaining physical spaces, sustaining ministers, and supporting your church’s mission and broader community initiatives.

But tithing isn’t just about financial support; it’s a catalyst for deeper engagement. Members who give may feel an increased sense of belonging and community. And that may be the biggest factor in the growth and future of your church.

Whether following the old English translation of a tithe–contributing a tenth of earnings–or using a different donation calculation, much of modern giving has moved online. This welcome transition to online tithing creates more pathways to giving and more opportunities for congregants to connect to their church. Taking advantage of modern church software brings financial processes, communication and outreach, and data analysis all inside one system. Now, you can track, connect, and grow seamlessly with intention.

The Shift to Online Tithing

Traditional, in-person giving has shifted to online tithing and digital engagement in recent years. Electronic payments and digital communication are standard in other parts of your members’ daily lives. But this change at church is fairly recent. A combination of factors sparked rapid transformation within ministries.

The internet and smartphones have made online transactions easier and more convenient. In just a few clicks, church members can now give from their home computers, a church pew, or their car, anywhere and anytime they feel generous and inspired. Pushpay’s dedicated mobile app puts convenience and giving at members’ fingertips. Congregants can give through your church’s website or by simply texting their financial support with Text Giving.

Tech-savvy Millennials and Generation Z churchgoers expect a level of digital connection similar to what they have at school, work, and home. Growing up with the internet, they’re comfortable with digital technologies and online transactions. Meeting them where they are—online—is key to keeping this generation engaged with your church.

One welcome outcome of the pandemic was the broad adoption of hybrid churches, from attending online services and touchless in-person check-in to automating gifts and event reminders. It’s impossible to appreciate the Church’s latest tech evolution without acknowledging the catalyst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Psychology Behind Giving and Church Engagement

As we explore tithing and church member involvement, we need to consider the interplay of various psychological, social, and emotional factors. After reviewing the following theories, church leaders can develop effective strategies that strengthen a sense of community among their congregations.

1. Social Exchange Theory

Social Exchange Theory suggests that acts of giving or altruism create positive feelings and help strengthen social bonds. These, in turn, lead to increased involvement and commitment in relationships.

For example, sponsoring a specific community project, like a youth mission, can inspire connection with other donors and those who benefit from the effort. This act of kindness may inspire relationship building with those donors as well as interest and involvement in similar projects. So, through giving, they’re not only supporting a cause, but also nurturing a community of like-minded individuals.

2. Social Identity Theory

According to the Social Identity Theory, our identity and self-esteem are tied to the success and well-being of the groups we feel we belong to. So, when people invest in the well-being of their church community, it amplifies their sense of belonging and identity.

As congregants give to their church and help meet fundraising goals, they may feel instrumental in the campaign’s success. Seeing the impact of that project fosters a deeper connection to their thriving community. When they can all gather together in an upgraded sanctuary, or see the lives changed after a mission trip or charity event, your donors will feel even more connected.

3. Social Capital Theory

Elements of our social networks, like trust and cooperation, according to the Social Capital Theory, carry value and enhance both individual and collective well-being. When people give, they build trust and strengthen social ties at church, leading to increased feelings of fellowship, involvement, and commitment. Their generosity connects them to other congregants, uniting them in their work towards the same goal.

Real World Examples of Tithing and Engagement Success

As we’ve outlined, multiple social science theories support the powerful connection between tithing and engagement. However, sometimes, the most convincing evidence is found in real-life experiences, showcasing how online tithing and engagement go hand-in-hand.

Emmanuel Church

Senior Pastor Danny Anderson committed to helping children in an orphanage in Haiti and set a fundraising goal of $50,000. As a long-time Pushpay customer, he regularly used online methods to communicate with his congregation.

In preparation for his outreach campaign, Danny added a new drop-down option to the church’s online giving portal. He also launched Text Giving, where members could donate by text message. These two simple additions helped Emmanuel Church reach $24,000—nearly 50% of their goal—in only 24 hours. And that was just the beginning! Within a few weeks, Emmanuel Church had surpassed their fundraising goal by more than 200%! You can read more about their story here.

St. Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony of Padua’s congregation was expanding, and to keep up with this growth, they turned to Pushpay. The results were clear and immediate: average weekly giving, participation, and total donations were all increasing.

When they launched their next campaign, Horizon, to build a new chapel, St. Anthony’s utilized Pushpay’s coordinated features to communicate the initiative and facilitate giving. Seamless tracking, updating, and messaging helped them not just meet their $6.5 million goal, but surpass it with an additional $1 million. You can read more about St. Anthony of Padua’s story here.

Strategies to Encourage Online Tithing and Engagement

In our increasingly digital world, cultivating meaningful connections both online and in-person with your church congregation is vital. A comprehensive church software like ChurchStaq simplifies tithing and helps your ministry connect with church members. Here are some touchpoints to reach and engage congregants:

1. Regularly communicate your range of giving options.

With online giving, your congregants can give where, when, and how they’d like to. That may be during church services, after an event, and on your website in the middle of the week. While you’re telling them where to give, don’t forget to include why they should give as well. Share updates with members on your fundraising and the impact of their gifts whether you’re at the pulpit, in small groups, or sending out an email newsletter.

2. Create a how-to video and offer in-person support.

This is a great way to engage your tech–savvy Gen Z and Millennial church members! Consider hosting workshops or sharing tutorials before and after services or online. Share these resources during services, online, or in your church calendar. With church management software, you’re able to create and track multiple access points to learn where your members connect with your church online.

3. Use your social media channels to launch giving challenges or campaigns.

Don’t just tell them, show them: use pictures, videos, and testimonials to show the impact their contribution makes. And always include easy-to-follow links to donate, or steps to give through your church’s mobile app or Text Giving.

4. Offer members peace of mind with secure giving systems.

As the shepherd of your flock, it’s your responsibility to protect your congregation from outside threats—and in our digital age, that calling applies to cybersecurity. With the proliferation of online scams, using a giving system you can trust is vital to your church and your members. At Pushpay, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve partnered with a company that meets high online security standards and is proactively seeking out opportunities to improve our security infrastructures.

5. Make the most of donor management solutions.

Every member of your congregation is on a unique journey, and understanding that journey is crucial to fostering a culture of giving. Donor management solutions can help you track and analyze these individual paths to further nurture donors. Through robust reporting and donation tracking, your ministry will unlock valuable insights into each person’s unique habits, preferences, and patterns.

Download the ebook, How to Engage Church Donors at Every Stage, to establish deeper connections with your church members throughout their journey.

6. Create a seamless experience.

As your congregants switch between digital and in-person interactions with your church, consistency is key. The transition should be smooth and effortless, and the best way to ensure that is with an all-encompassing, user-friendly church management system like Pushpay. From church announcements and service check-ins to giving options and receipts, funnel all engagement through one system. Each digital interaction is an opportunity to deepen the bond between your congregants and the church.

7. Use ongoing data to build for the future.

Seeing giving patterns and community interests can help you build effective new engagement campaigns and nurture future involvement in your church. Each number you see—donor, volunteer, event registrant—has a name attached to it. When you embrace that perspective on your church’s data, your charts and reports become tools to help understand the unique needs, preferences, and motivations of your congregation.

The Church’s Use of Tech Is Changing

As our digital landscape evolves, churches that embrace innovation will thrive, find deeper connections, and lead the way for modernization. We’ve seen that giving and connecting are intertwined in our world. While the wicker offering basket may represent a 20th-century image of the Church, a QR code to give online may be a more accurate reflection of the 21st century experience. However your members choose to engage and give, online tithing offers new opportunities to boost accessibility, inclusivity, and connections through worship. Embracing full-service technology solutions will help your church thrive today and in the future.

GET A DEMO

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas! Every year, church and worship leaders search for the perfect Christmas setlist. Some choose to stick with the traditional carols, while others opt for more contemporary worship songs. Regardless of the style or genre, the goal is always the same: to bring people together and celebrate the birth of Jesus through music. Here are the top ten Christmas songs that churches chose to make their Christmas services merry and bright.

Top 10 Christmas Songs Churches Used Last Christmas

We’ve been making a list and checking it twice! The top ten songs churches have added to the Lyric and Chord Chart Editor of Pushpay’s ChMS for worship services from November 25, 2022, to January 4, 2023, are:

1. Joy to the World

2. O Come All Ye Faithful

3. The First Noel

4. Go Tell It on the Mountain

5. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

6. O Holy Night

7. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

8. Angels We Have Heard on High

9. Silent Night

10. Christmas Day

Christmas carols have been around for centuries and are a staple in church services during the holiday season. These beloved songs tell the story of Jesus’ birth and bring a sense of nostalgia and tradition to Christmas celebrations.

And some of the most popular songs from 2022 are repeats from 2021. O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, The First Noel, and Joy To The World—all in the top ten for 2022—were the top five for 2021. There’s quite an overlap between the last two years of Christmas music planned for church services. These classic carols are timeless, popular, and powerful in spreading the message of Christmas joy.

As you prepare for your Christmas service, consider incorporating some of these songs into your setlist. May they bring you joy and peace this holiday season.

Make the Most of Christmas

The Christmas season is full of opportunities for people to stay connected and be a part of the Church. But you don’t have to get your tinsel in a tangle trying to manage all of it! Maximize this holiday season by exploring our Christmas Resource Hub for church leaders. You’ll find tips for connecting with your congregation, effectively managing staff and volunteers, and encouraging those end-of-year donors to become regular, recurring givers.

When you’re ready to learn more about how your church tech can do more for your church this holiday season, schedule a call with one of our church tech experts today.

GET A DEMO

Summary

Springs Church made a bold move to prioritize connection in their congregation. Instead of preaching from the pulpit, they turned their typical Sunday morning services into a Connection Sunday. During those two services, church leaders helped their congregation connect with each other and the church by walking through all the features of their new custom church app.

From group sign-ups to sermon notes to giving options, Springs Church members discovered how their app could keep them connected to their community. The app also empowered members to volunteer and get involved in connection groups, making it easy for them to contribute to the church’s mission in a meaningful way. By leveraging a custom church app, Springs Church has created a culture of connection and engagement that goes beyond Sunday services and is truly transforming the lives of its members.

Challenges

Springs Church was facing a common problem that many churches experience – disconnection from their congregation. They recognized that many people leave the church because they don’t feel connected. So Springs Church wanted to create an engaged community and empower its members with easy access to involvement regardless of age or tech-savvy skills.

They were searching for something that would make it easy for members to stay connected to the church, deepen their faith through additional resources, and simplify giving with just a click on their app.

Pushpay

Springs Church staff decided to move into the digital age and solve the problem of disconnection with a custom church app from Pushpay. The app opened up the door to convenient connection and communication with members, and they dedicated an entire Sunday to celebrate its launch. On Connection Sunday, Springs Church walked their congregation through the church app’s features, including sign-ups for groups and events, access to sermons, and giving options, including the ability to set up recurring giving.

Even without prior experience, Ashley Moore, Springs Church’s Executive Administrative Assistant, created the custom app with the clear instructions from Pushpay. Ashley updates the app weekly with the latest announcements and sermon notes. She says, “Pushpay makes  it very simple. It’s very user-friendly. And now everything you need to know about everything, even getting in touch with our pastors or staff, is right there on the app.”

Now, after Connection Sunday and the launch of their church app, Springs Church prioritizes community engagement by devoting time during each service for meaningful connection and ministry opportunities. Karen Woodyard, Deacon Ministry Director, said, “There was a QR code up on the screen, and Pastor Michael said, ‘Okay, I want everybody to give to this orphanage in Haiti.’ Everybody lifts up their phone, takes a picture of the QR code, and within 10 seconds, donations just started piling in. The app made it so much easier.”

They’ve created a more connected community and increased engagement within their congregation. Karen said, “We’ve finally made it super easy to connect. For many people who get disgruntled with the church, it’s usually because they didn’t feel connected. And I really feel that Pushpay gave us that edge to where people now can really feel connected because everything’s right there, right in front of them with the church app.”

Results

By addressing the common problem of disconnection head-on, Springs Church increased member involvement and encouraged deeper connections between congregation members. Ashley shared, “The app has just become the way that everybody finds the information that they need in the church.” Connection Sunday may have only lasted one day, but the feeling of connection is still strong, with a congregation fully engaged and involved in the church’s activities.

With the help of Pushpay’s app, Springs Church put the power of the community in the palms of their member’s hands. Now their ministry sees greater participation and involvement and a stronger, more connected congregation.

The days when churches were limited to Sunday sermons are long gone. The modern church has the remarkable ability to connect with its congregation every day of the week, offering spiritual guidance, fostering community bonds, and providing support—all at the click of a button. Now, every day is a fresh opportunity for ministry.

This evolution is thrilling, but it also brings a unique challenge to the forefront: how to maintain this level of engagement without succumbing to burnout.

This is where technology steps in. With the relentless pace of innovation, technology is constantly reshaping (and improving) our lives and experiences. And when your team leverages the right church tech, you can save time across all your ministries, lead more confidently, and even improve engagement with your congregation.

Curious about what the potential impact of tech would be in your church? The infographic below offers an immersive week-long journey, demonstrating how you can revolutionize your church operations and significantly enhance engagement with your congregation. From planning Sunday sermons to organizing and analyzing video content to running youth ministry events—we’ll explore how tech can make each day more efficient and impactful.

By the end of the week, you’ll see just how seamlessly church technology can integrate into your daily activities, turning each day into a unique opportunity to connect, serve, and grow.

Maximize Your Impact with the Right Tech

This isn’t just about integrating new technology; it’s about cultivating a new way of doing church—one that meets people exactly where they are and encourages meaningful engagement with your ministry.

By leveraging the right church tech, you can streamline and systematize a sizable portion of your ministry’s day-to-day operations, meaning less time spent on mundane tasks (like data entry) and more time for meaningful connection with your congregation.

So, take a deeper dive into the technology available with our free self-guided tour of Churchstaq. You might be surprised at just how much it can do for your ministry. With the right tech, every day of the week becomes an opportunity to engage with your congregation in new and innovative ways.

TAKE A TOUR

Change isn’t always a challenge to overcome; it’s often an opportunity to seize. And after (at least) a few years of online church, it’s clear that this opportunity wasn’t short-term. Online church brings possibilities of a wider reach, enhanced engagement, and limitless opportunities to touch lives.

But it’s natural for change to also spark some fears and concerns.

We’re addressing five common fears pastors have about online church and sharing practical solutions to help you confidently engage your congregation, no matter where they are.

Addressing the Concerns with Online Church

It’s true nothing can quite replace the warmth of a handshake or the comfort of a shared smile. And that could be a concern you have about online church.

But the hybrid model is here to stay. And the statistics prove it:

Our 2023 State of Church Tech Report found that a whopping 89% of churches now use a fully hybrid model, offering both in-person and online options,. Lifeway Research found that 45% of Americans have watched a Christian church service online—and they’re doing more than just watching a single service. The Church Online reported that one-third of churchgoers first found their current churches online. And Barna revealed that 60% of Christians were likely to continue attending church if it was solely online.

It’s time to view the concerns about online church as opportunities to grow instead of reasons to reject.

Let’s dive into 5 of the most common fears and get solutions to help you make the most of your digital ministry.

Concern 1: How Can We Connect Our Two Audiences?

One of the key challenges is engaging two distinct groups—one in the pews and one online—so that they feel like one connected congregation.

A recent Pew Research study revealed that nearly two-thirds of in-person attendees felt strongly connected with fellow churchgoers. Only 28% felt a similar bond while attending services virtually.

So how can you nurture a sense of togetherness among your two audiences? It could start with a video call for online attendees to connect before or after service. Think of it as the digital equivalent of that fellowship sipping coffee in the lobby and talking with other families.

But what about your in-person attendees? It’s crucial they know they’re not obligated to attend physically every time. They should be aware of the flexibility of attending virtually if they can’t make it in person. Share your online options in emails, on your website, social media and even from the stage so everyone knows about it.

Another way to connect your audiences is by showing them that online or in-person, they have a lot in common. One easy way to do that is to share testimonials from people in your congregation. Whether it’s a social media post or a live interview on Sunday morning, you can help members get to know fellow congregants and find common ground.

One of the beautiful things about the Church is that no matter how people attend—online or in-person—everyone is on a spiritual journey together. The moments of worship, prayer, communion, and fellowship are all shared experiences, regardless of where the audience is sitting. At the heart of it all is people seeking or strengthening their relationships with Jesus. It’s this common desire that truly bridges the gap between the physical and the virtual.

Concern 2: How Do We Keep the Personal Touch in a Digital World?

In person, it’s easy to see the light bulb moment on a congregant’s face during a sermon or the passion as they sing their hearts out during worship. You can greet them by name, give them a handshake, a smile, or even a hug.

Thanks to technology, reaching people is simpler than ever, but personal connection can feel harder to come by. Jordan Page, IT director at Higher Dimension Church in Houston, shared that they aim to be both high-tech and high-touch. Their secret? Using data.

Jordan elaborated that data and analytics play a crucial role in personalizing follow-ups. Using their ChMS, they track attendance and identify new visitors interested in learning more about the local church or regulars who have been absent from service lately.

Ultimately, small gestures can create big connections. You could send personalized thank you emails after a donation tailored to the donor or the fund they’ve given. Another way to keep online church feeling personalized is a quick email or text from the pastor on a member’s birthday.

But what about spiritual decisions or the decision to become a church member? That is a moment to celebrate. A personalized note or a shout-out during an online service can be a powerful acknowledgment of their faith journey.

With technology, you can extend the warmth and personal touch of in-person church to your virtual congregation. It’s all about making everyone feel part of your community, wherever they are.

Concern 3: How Can We Improve Engagement So It’s Ongoing?

Churches want to make sure their digital audience doesn’t just watch the service—they engage with it. Pew Research found that while most feel engaged, 32% of online attendees feel they aren’t “truly being an active participant.”

So how do you make sure your church’s online experience is engaging?

It’s important to create a sense of community—not just on Sundays but throughout the week. Our State of Church Tech Report revealed that most churches use social media (93%) and livestreaming (89%). Those are both great tools, but we’re guessing you’re looking for some other fresh ideas to foster engagement.

You can engage with members by continuing conversations throughout the week. Share discussion questions in groups or bible studies that meet outside of Sunday services. Or set up a midweek message to expand on Sunday’s topic and answer questions that have bubbled up since then.

We’ve got even more ideas to maximize your ministry’s engagement every day of the week with our ebook, More Than Sunday: Unlock Your Ministry’s Full Potential.

If creating a fresh midweek message feels like a tall order, there’s no need to worry. You have a wealth of content at your fingertips from your weekend livestream. Short one-to-two minute clips are great bite-sized pieces of your message to share on our website, YouTube, and social media. It’s a simple but powerful way to keep the lines of communication open with your congregants, ensuring their engagement remains high throughout the week.

Learn more about Resi’s church livestreaming

Whatever method you use, the most important thing is to create spaces for connection and community throughout the week. And make it known if there’s an open line of communication between them and their pastor too.

And for those members looking for more, help them move through a discipleship journey. An easy way to help them get involved is by serving. If you don’t already have one, create an online volunteer team to encourage members to make a difference, no matter where they are. They could lead groups for online attendees, serve as greeters in the livestream chat, or join the prayer team.

Concern 4: Can We Count on Consistent Giving Online?

Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—giving. It’s a crucial part of keeping churches running. And with online church, there might be concerns about what happens to the physical ‘passing of the plate.’

Here are some stats to ease that worry. Barna found that nearly half of Americans (44%) prefer digital forms of giving, and Nonprofit Source reported that 60% are willing to give to their church digitally.

Online giving certainly isn’t new, and platforms have made it easier than ever for members to contribute, no matter where they are. Digital giving has been on the rise for years, and fewer people are carrying around cash or checks. And since it’s been around, online giving providers have had plenty of time to refine it. At Pushpay, we’ve even developed innovative features that help save your church money in the long run.

But the online giving experience doesn’t end after your donor clicks that button. With our donor management, you can easily track online donations, maintain clear communication with your donors, send personalized thank-you notes, and even get an Instant view of new, repeat, recurring, at-risk and lapsed donors. This level of insight and interaction helps you grow giving and member engagement throughout their journey, so no one falls through the cracks.

Concern 5: How Can We Stay Ahead of the Fast-Paced Technological Changes?

Ever felt like technology is moving at warp speed, leaving you panting and puffing in its dust? Not to mention, spotting tech trends probably wasn’t something you studied in seminary or thought you’d need to do as a pastor.

But staying ahead of the tech game is essential to ensure your church takes advantage of all the opportunities out there. Rather than trying to do it alone, look for ways to partner with others in the tech space. Talk with tech-savvy congregation members and other church leaders with similar needs and goals. If you have enough people interested, you could even form a volunteer team or group. If, however, you’re struggling to find tech-savvy members, millions of articles are only a click away, written by fellow church leaders and church tech experts. You might find new tools to use, resources that inspire you, or a new way to use something you already have.

Start with what you’re comfortable with. Lean on the experts around you (or online), and then expand your tech toolbox as needs arise in your church. It’s not about having the flashiest tech or the most tools and software. It’s about using what you have to connect and engage with your congregation effectively.

Not sure how your church tech stacks up to other churches like yours? Take seven minutes to complete our free Church Tech Check assessment. You’ll get a free comprehensive tech evaluation unique to your ministry when you’re done.

Let’s Unlock The Potential of Online Church

The digital age has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for churches to share the gospel, reach more people, and keep their members engaged. With these strategies, churches can keep their congregation connected whether they’re gathering face-to-face or streaming on a screen.

At Pushpay, we see endless opportunities in the online space for churches. We aim to help them achieve their mission with new and innovative solutions. Take the self-guided tour to find out how we can help you create a vibrant community—online and off.

TAKE THE TOUR

Sunday mornings are special. From the moment cars start pulling into your parking lot, to when you first see those smiling faces sitting in the pews. From when they click into your worship livestream, through to you witnessing your team’s hard work coming to fruition as you share the message of Jesus Christ with your congregation… These moments are truly the highlight of every church leader’s week.

But ministry doesn’t stop after Sunday service ends. Driving the mission and promoting the vision of your local church shouldn’t be relegated to a single day of the week.

The good news is that in this digital era, technology simplifies engaging church members during the other six days. Your faith community can easily be engaged through tech to build faith, connection, and belonging, regardless of what the calendar says.

That’s the spirit behind our More Than Sunday campaign—and what inspires every tech solution Pushpay develops. For over a decade, our passionate team has listened, collaborated, and worked with leaders like you to develop the best-in-class tools to support your ability to engage church members every day of the week.

We’re going to break down how leveraging the latest digital solutions can empower you to lead your church forward.

Communication Is Key

This almost goes without saying, but in your role as a “Disciplemaker,” staying in contact with your members throughout the week is critical to maintaining and boosting church engagement.

At Pushpay, we believe in meeting people where they’re at. These days, that’s primarily through their screens. The average American spends over seven hours each day looking at computers and mobile devices. Your church should be claiming a piece of that time, and not just on Sundays.

Capturing your members’ attention starts with prompts. Push notifications can alert users to new content on your custom mobile app. Once they’re in the app, they’ll be able to browse a dynamic home screen featuring your current livestream, tailored content feeds, upcoming events, generosity campaigns, and more. You can drive further engagement through custom messages, polls, and surveys.

Facilitating Donors Whenever They Feel Led To Give

The physical basket will never go away. There will always be a surge of generosity while your congregation is inside your four walls, because Sunday services inspire donations.

But that’s not the only time people feel the urge and passion to express their generosity to your church. Online giving empowers your community to give when they feel called—or simply remember mid-week!—to donate in support of the mission your church has communicated.

Studies show that 87% of users will leave a product if they can’t understand the process within the first sixty seconds. That’s why Pushpay Giving was intentionally designed to allow for fast, intuitive giving, through a platform that’s completely customizable to your church.

Our Recurring Giving feature allows your members to schedule their gifts, taking one less task off their plate, while simultaneously increasing your staff’s ability to forecast future funds and mitigating streaks of lower donations during traditionally slower seasons for generosity. When combined with Pushpay’s multi-language functionality for increased accessibility, staying engaged with every one of your donors has never been easier.

Livestreaming Is Here To Stay

The COVID pandemic forced churches worldwide to utilize streaming services to maintain their ministries while social distancing. But even after those restrictions ended, livestreaming church services remain extremely popular; 89% of churches continue livestream services, according to the 2023 State of Church Tech Report.

The benefits of streaming have become clear to leaders. Video truly is the new “website,” the digital front door that successful ministries utilize to welcome their first-time visitors. Streaming also increases accessibility for community members who may be out of town or are otherwise unable to attend in person—or for those who simply want to connect with your church outside of Sunday!

Through Pushpay’s partnership with Resi Media, your church can utilize one of the most powerful, reliable streaming experiences available to connect and engage with your congregation every day of the week. You can host your worship service livestream through a seamless integration in your custom mobile app, and offer prompts directing viewers to next-step items like giving, prayer requests, and more.

Streamlined ChMS Frees Up Your Staff’s Time

Of all the technology solutions available to churches today, Church Management Software (ChMS) is the only tool growing in popularity. Unified, streamlined digital tools have been proven to not only increase engagement and generosity for churches, but also simplify and automate processes for volunteers and staff.

The first major step in embracing the More Than Sunday mindset is adopting a powerful ChMS like Pushpay. Our best-in-class dashboards and analytics provide the insights you need to nurture your people through their journey. Intuitive check-in functionality simplifies processes for your staff and volunteers, while capturing the data you need to follow up with the guests and visitors who are excited to join the life of your church.

Pushpay’s ChMS allows groups to be created around different interests and ministries, allowing volunteers to find and participate in activities grounded in their individual passion points, and to communicate directly with others in those groups to coordinate.

For your leadership, coordination and communication of ministerial needs can be efficiently managed, even while your team is on-the-go through our LEAD app.

Next Steps For Your Church

The absolute best first step any church leadership team can take is aligning on goals. Every ministry is different, and every faith community is unique. But unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for building a church that wants to embrace the More Than Sunday approach.

Start by asking your staff and volunteers—and even trusted congregants—these questions:

• What does meaningful engagement look like for your ministry?
• What current tools and capabilities do you have to begin expanding your engagement to seven days a week?
• What do you hope to gain from meaningful engagement? What will these progressions look like over time?
• What type of engagement is your congregation suited for?

Here’s one more idea; spend a few minutes taking Pushpay’s Church Tech Check. This proprietary assessment will identify your digital strengths and deliver a comprehensive report of customized recommendations.

When you have all these answers, you can confidently chart a course forward that ensures your ministry is united in pursuing your mission—which means engaging your community More Than Sunday.

And once you know where you want to go, Pushpay would love to support your path forward, so that together we can build community, connection, and belonging, as your church pursues its mission into the future.

Summer may bring sunny days and fun-filled vacations, but for churches, it can be a challenging time. With members taking off for travel and relaxation, attendance and engagement levels at church can decrease, resulting in a dip in giving. Everyone calls this season the summer slump. And we even have, too. But we want to equip you for a summer of success, and that starts with talking about the season with hopeful expectancy! Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death,” so we’re calling it quits on the term “summer slump” and instead approaching this season with a positive outlook.

Once that language shift happens, the next step is to turn those words into action! And there’s something you can do today to kickstart a summer of success. By tapping into your data from Easter, you can maintain your Easter momentum all summer long.

A Successful Summer Starts at Easter

Data can be a powerful discipleship tool. According to our 2024 State of Church Technology report, over 4 out of 5 churches have already adopted an all-encompassing Church Management System, and there’s been a 30% jump in leaders’ acknowledgement of ChMS’s strategic importance for their future. That’s in part because donor management (and the data that drives it) helps churches make informed decisions that will help them grow and support their congregants.

With a clear understanding of their data, church leaders connect with their members individually to increase generosity and engagement. Instead of guessing or following the lead of other churches, you can intentionally communicate and nurture your community. The data you collect on Easter (and every Sunday after!) can set your church up for success through the summer season.

Planning for the Summer

Planning for the summer season is just as important as planning for the big holidays like Easter. With many families traveling and taking time off, it’s crucial to have a solid summer plan in place to keep engagement and attendance thriving. Here are 6 ways for churches to start planning for summer now, a successful and impactful season.

1. Refine your hybrid experience

Summer is one of the best times of the year for online worship. While congregants are traveling and vacationing, hybrid worship services offer the flexibility to choose what works best for their schedule and location. It may be time for some spring cleaning when it comes to your hybrid worship! Does your church have good lighting, microphones, and cameras for your streams? Do you have “pre-service” slides with announcements or a countdown for attendees who join before the service starts? Is your stream interrupted by buffering? Are there staff members who are dedicated to audience engagement and responding to questions in the live stream?

Test your live stream before Sunday’s big service to spot any issues. And after Sunday’s service ends, check in with the staff or volunteers overseeing your online audience engagement to see if they have any feedback for ways to continue serving your online members.

2. Develop a summer calendar

With the warm weather coming, summer is full of opportunities for events to foster deeper connections. Before the season starts, plan a few events, from big summer events like VBS and cookouts to smaller church programs like in-person and virtual small groups. But don’t cram your calendar. The biggest mistake churches make in the summer is trying to fill the calendar with activities to make up for the quietness of the season. Families are busy, and that’s okay. Instead of throwing more events at people, join in on the celebrations they already have on their calendars, like the end of the school year celebrations or the 4th of July.

3. Recruit volunteers

Once you have your calendar laid out for the summer, it’s time to enlist some help! Your usual volunteers have been serving all year, and they need a break. Other church members are starting to make plans for their summer, so encourage them to add serving in the church to that list. Announce the volunteer opportunities during your services, emails, and social media. You can also use volunteering as a next step for newbies (like those who attended for the first time on Easter!) to get plugged into your community. Here are 10 steps to give every volunteer what they need.

4. Review and adjust budgets

Summer’s almost here, so we’re almost halfway through the year. Is your giving where you anticipated it would be? Have you run into any new expenses? Take time to review your overall budget and make sure you have funds allocated for your summer events. And based on what you find, you may want to launch a new giving campaign. Whether you need to raise money for an upcoming mission trip or to break ground on a new church building, a fundraising campaign invites people to give over the summer and be a part of something bigger. Plus at the end of the summer you can celebrate the results and show your members the impact of their generosity.

A lot of churches anticipate a slower pace of giving over the summer, but it doesn’t have to be. More and more churches are experiencing steady or increased summer participation and giving because they’re effectively engaging their community members long before June rolls around. And they’re using their data to do it. With deeper engagement all year, members are more likely to stay active, engaged, and generous over the summer months. With an established process to nurture your members, you can say goodbye to sweating and stressing over your budget this summer.

5. Check your tech

Technology plays a crucial role in keeping your community connected, no matter the season. But your church is changing, and tech needs to be able to support that change. It’s the only way to continue growing and reaching your goals.

If you wait until June to check on your church software and it doesn’t meet your needs, you’re stuck with two not-so-great options. You might have to limp along all summer with software you know isn’t supporting your ministry. Or, if you make the switch over the summer, you may find yourself struggling to implement those necessary changes when your congregation is least engaged. Don’t wait until the summer to assess the effectiveness of your tools. Take the time now to ensure that everything is up-to-date, running smoothly, and effectively supporting your ministry before the summer starts. Get started with our blog How To Reevaluate Your Church’s Tech Toolkit to make sure your ministry has the support you need during the summer.

6. Unplug and take a vacation

You may feel like there’s never a good time to take a vacation. There’s a common feeling that the demands of ministry are constant and preparing to take time off may feel like it’s more work than it’s worth. According to Lifeway Research, 84% of pastors say they’re on call 24 hours a day. 53% find the role of a pastor “frequently overwhelming.” That’s why taking a break is so crucial.

Summer is the perfect season to prioritize rest. Follow the rhythm of your church’s calendar, and give yourself a break when ministry work is slowing down. It doesn’t have to be a trip to a tropical paradise (although that would definitely be relaxing!); a staycation can be just as restful. Take some time to enjoy the summer weather, relax, and forget about ministry for a short while. You’ll return from your break renewed and ready to keep growing the Kingdom.

Trade Summertime Stress for Success

As we look forward to the sunny summer months, let’s commit to making it a season of renewal and success instead of fear. With the right support, you can carry the momentum of your Easter services through the summer and continue making an impact in your community. See how Pushpay can help your church maximize your Easter momentum and take advantage of the season ahead!

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