Download the How technology strengthens discipleship & community
Fill out the form below to schedule a demo or call our sales team at
469-564-3922
Church practices and discipleship are often so deeply rooted in tradition that they can sometimes appear to be completely at odds with technology. However, from the apostles traveling the Roman Roads to Billy Graham using the power of radio and television, church leaders have a long history of leveraging technology as a strategic growth tool to cultivate more effective ministries that expand for generations to come.
Embracing technology was something churches around the world were forced to do during the pandemic. At that time tools like online giving and live streaming sermons became a necessity, but now, as the world settles back into post-Covid normality, it’s important to take what we learned from using church tech to go even further.
Church-focused technology is the key to cultivating a connected ministry that leads to deeper engagement and a greater Kingdom impact—something all church leaders should be capitalizing on. Join us as we explore five key ways technology can transform the modern discipleship experience and bolster a stronger church community.
Gallup reports that church membership in the United States reached a historical low of 47% in 2020. The same study from 1937 reveals that church membership was at 73% and remained around 70% for the following six decades.
So, what has caused this dramatic downturn in church attendance? Generationally, the lowest rate of religious affiliation is found with Millennials at 36%, compared to 58% of Baby Boomers. Such a large gap raises questions around how churches are, or aren’t, utilizing technology.
At the same time, a study by Barna found that younger, tech-centered generations are actually open to the gospel and are flocking to congregations and communities that are not stuck in the “in-person meetings only” mentality. Technology holds the power to transform declining attendance by meeting younger congregants where they are—online and mobile—and facilitating meaningful connections with disciples both old and new.
Take a deeper dive into this exact topic in our church leaders’ guide to navigating Gen Z’s digital ecosystem.
It goes without saying that when you deploy technology as part of a digital communications strategy, it opens your ministry up to limitless expansion.
By adding tools like live-streamed sermons to your church’s tech stack, you can reach new audiences, forge new connections, build new communities, and as a result, grow your church and spread the gospel further than ever before.
Technology such as church management software also helps churches to function more seamlessly and efficiently too. It acts as an invisible connection not only between dispersed congregants and communities but also between your teams as well.
With technology in play, nobody needs to fall out of your ministry’s loop.
We’ve spoken in depth about the importance of finding practical ways to bridge generational gaps within your ministry to improve the disciple experience. Technology is an integral part of building bridges and nurturing stronger relationships across generations that form your wider church community.
Younger generations are redefining the ways church content needs to be accessed and consumed, particularly with church apps on their mobile devices. As the Gallup study indicates, church leaders need to listen to future members if they’re going to connect congregants of all ages successfully and grow their ministry.
The most effective way to bridge the generational gap is by fostering a hybrid ministry, which blends traditional and virtual experiences to create cohesive discipleship. Mastering the art of running a hybrid ministry is only possible with great church tech at your fingertips.
Subsplash gives church leaders access to a smart online giving platform designed to boost engagement and facilitate more flexible and free-flowing giving opportunities.
Purpose-built giving tech like this drives more giving initiatives and allows congregants and communities to financially support causes close to their hearts. Tools like in-app, web, and text giving, along with giving prompts during live streams encourage generosity even further by removing barriers to making donations.
When conversations and shared experiences are limited by things like generational gaps or geographical location, there is only so much impact that can be made. Technology is the perfect tool to bridge those gaps by amplifying voices, connecting like-minded people, and truly building community.
Things like social media, podcasts, and group messaging are instrumental in sharing the gospel on a larger scale by providing vital platforms that transcend face-to-face, local interaction. They encourage meaningful conversations and facilitate discipleship.
If you want to turn your church technology up a notch, streamline your software and cultivate a better-connected, future-facing ministry, Subsplash provides everything you need in one place.
This is your single, unified church tech solution, including custom mobile apps, online giving, church website builder, church live streaming, sermon libraries, and so much more. It’s all here ready and waiting for you—all you’ve got to do is get started.
To learn more about leveraging technology to support your church community and the modern discipleship experience, [.blog-contact-cta] get in touch with Subsplash today![.blog-contact-cta]
