How will we reach the next generation of Presbyterians? As we strive to grow our congregations and get the attention of younger families and singles, it may be time to look at how we tell our story.
Today, almost every household has a personal computer. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project April 2006 report (www.pewinternet.org), more than 147 million Americans (73%) are Internet users. Ipods, cell phones, e-mail and blogs have become a way of life for most of our younger generation. Yet so often we only offer our sermons on cassette tapes and our announcements on flyers. Are we missing an opportunity to connect with the under thirty segment of our population?
With the rise of the Internet, podcasting and blogging, it is time to include the use of technology in evangelism plans. Today, people are time poor and hungry for information. E-mail has become as ordinary as the telephone and church Web sites are basic expectations.
Growing Presbyterian churches are building bridges to the younger generation through the use of technology. According to the U.S. Congregational Life Survey 2001 Research Services PC(USA), seventy percent of growing PC(USA) churches had Web sites compared to forty-three percent of other PC(USA) churches. Inspirational messages on podcasts, blogs and e-mail evites are just some of the ways these churches are getting the attention of this on-the-go generation.
Inviting the next generation to share our faith and experience the Gospel requires moving beyond our comfort zone to communicate. Cyberspace communication options can be powerful evangelism tools. Today, the first contact with a prospective member may be the church Web site instead of the building itself. In fact, the number of visitors to your church’s Web site may be higher than the traffic that passes your church facility each day.
Breaking through to young people means using the communications methods they use. A recent conversation with a group of college freshmen revealed they spend more time text messaging, instant messaging, and downloading podcasts than other communications. So how will we reach this generation? Here are a few tips to consider.
1. Establish your communication goals. What do you want to accomplish?
2. Identify your target audience. Who do you want to intentionally reach?
3. Communicate with your target in mind. What communication tools are more likely to reach your target?
4. Visit the Web sites of growing churches. Learn how others are using technology to reach the next generation.
5. Do your homework. Set up your church’s Web site. Visit Podcasting Web sites like iTunes to learn how podcasts operate. Explore blog account hosts like blogger.com
6. Consider placing a sermon as a podcast or setting up a blog account to explore a sermon topic. Uncover how easy it is to set up a blog account or place sermons as podcasts.
7. Recruit tech-savvy volunteers to help move your communications to cyberspace. If there is no one in your congregation, solicit help from college students.
8. Plan to grow. As you stretch into new technology, invite more, inspire more, and grow more.
As we are faithful to the Great Commission, it is time to explore how high technology can help us reach the next generation of Presbyterians. After all we are called to share our faith.
Lynette Hawkins is an elder at a PC(USA) church and founder of BMG Awesome Insight, which equips church leaders with seminars and coaching to attract, reach, and keep worship guests. Her newsletter, BMG Awesome Insight For Church Leaders is available free at www.awesomeinsight.com .
