Expanding the Kingdom: From Online Metrics to Physical Communities Through Watching Parties and More
When I spoke with Greg Ligdon, on the Sermonmax podcast, he brought up the idea of leveraging online campuses for multi-site church expansion, it led to an eye-opening discussion that got us both thinking about actionable steps. We explored the idea of using digital metrics as a low-risk discovery tool, providing insights into geographic locations ripe for potential physical campuses. However, metrics alone are not enough. What comes next?
Transitioning from Metrics to Community Engagement
To make the leap from an online community to a physical congregation, a well-thought-out engagement strategy is crucial. After all, a church isn't merely a building; it's a community of believers. This is where the power of watching parties, service days, and festivals come into play.
The Power of Watching Parties
Imagine a cluster of online viewers in a specific geographic area gathering together to watch a Sunday service (and maybe they stay and have lunch together and watch a game together). Not only does this foster community, but it also allows people to physically experience the atmosphere of the church, albeit on a smaller scale. It gives them a taste of what could eventually become their local church community.
Service Days: Doing Good Together
Organizing service days in those areas where online engagement is strong serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it allows people to meet and connect while doing something meaningful. Secondly, it provides a hands-on experience of the church's ethos and values.
Festivals and Events: How about a meet up?
Seasonal festivals, be it in the fall or spring, can be organized to bring together larger groups. This offers a sense of celebration and community, giving people a glimpse of what they can be part of. Moreover, festivals can often attract those who might not be regular churchgoers, expanding the community even further. The other option is simply to leverage a community festival and create a meet up of people who are watching your online services. Simple, easy, and effective.
The Importance of Building Local Connections
By implementing these community-building strategies—watching parties, service days, and festivals—you're not just testing the waters for a potential new campus; you're laying down its foundation. These events allow clusters of online viewers to meet and connect, moving from being online spectators to an engaged, local community.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of these methods is that they're both safe and effective ways to gauge interest and build community before making the larger commitment of opening a new campus. Ligdon's insight that we can look at online metrics "as potential for launching a campus" becomes powerfully actionable when combined with on-the-ground community-building efforts.
It's time to think beyond just digital metrics and to start laying the groundwork for future physical communities. We're not just adapting to a digital world; we're using it as a stepping stone to create tangible, interconnected communities of faith.
Go checkout the Sermonmax Podcast with Greg Ligon from the Ligon Group.