THE CHURCH IN THE
DIGITAL AGE
Presented by:
Eli Daniel-Wilson
June 2024
“
..the old has gone, the
new is here!
“
“In an age where nearly 67% of the world's
population is online, how is the Church
leveraging this opportunity to spread its
message?
“
CONTENT
Digital
Landscape
1
Landscape
Importance
of the
Church
Going Digital
2
The Need
Best Case
Studies
3
Best Cases
Becoming a
digital
Evangelist
4
Evangelism
DIGITAL LANDSCAPE
Most Used Social Apps in Ghana
Source: Statista, 2024
Is social media overrated? Here are the
facts
LINKEDIN / TWITTER
• 1.80 million “members” in
Ghana in early 2022 on LinkedIn
• Twitter has 919.7 thousand
FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM
• Facebook has 7.05 million users in Ghana
• 2.20 million users on Instagram
• 44.90 million cellular
• ~24 million internet users in Ghana
• 8.80 million social media users in Ghana
GHANA OVERVIEW
WHATSAPP
• Estimated over 14million
WhatsApp Users in Ghana
Source: We Are Social / Hootsuite/ Statista
WHY THE CHURCH
NEEDS TO GO DIGITAL
Why the Church needs to go digital
1
3 5
4
2
DIGITAL is not
going away
You risk losing
influence
It’s never been
easier
Your attendance
might actually
grow
a tool for interaction and
connection, not merely a
megaphone to announce
the next church program
and party.
How Churches are leveraging Digital
BEST CASE STUDIES OF
CHURCH GOING DIGITAL
CASE STUDY 1
Case Study 1: Life.Church
Overview: Life.Church, based in Oklahoma, is one of the most well-known
examples of a church leveraging digital platforms for evangelism.
Digital Strategies:
● YouVersion Bible App: Created by Life.Church, this app has been
downloaded over 500 million times worldwide. It offers various translations of
the Bible, reading plans, and community features.
● Online Services: Life.Church was a pioneer in offering online church
services. They stream their services live and provide an on-demand library of
sermons.
● Social Media: Active engagement on platforms like Facebook, Instagram,
and Twitter to connect with followers and spread their message.
● Church Online Platform: Developed a free platform that other churches can
use to stream their services and interact with their online congregations.
Impact:
● Reached millions of people globally who might not have access to a physical
church.
● Fostered a global online community through their Church Online platform.
● Enabled continuous spiritual growth through the YouVersion Bible App.
CASE STUDY 2
Case Study 2: Hillsong Church
Overview: Hillsong Church, with locations worldwide, is renowned for its
effective use of digital media to spread its message.
Digital Strategies:
● Hillsong Channel: A dedicated TV and online streaming service that
broadcasts worship services, conferences, and original content.
● Music and Media: Utilizes platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple
Music to share their worship music, which has a massive following.
● Social Media and Apps: Active presence on social media and
dedicated apps for sermons, music, and event information.
Impact:
● Global reach through their music and media, impacting millions of lives.
● Created a cohesive global community with regular online interactions
and engagement.
● Facilitated easy access to worship and spiritual content, attracting a
younger, tech-savvy audience.
CASE STUDY 3
Case Study 3: ICGC
#WeAreICGC
Live Streaming
Facebook and YouTube
Livestreaming of services and prayer
sessions.
Live quotes of key teachings
Community Building
Churches continually growing online
community through church updates,
sermons and connecting with new
and existing members across
different platforms
Short video /Podcasts
Uploads of special teachings, full
sermons, prayer sessions
Hashtag Activation
#PenteSunday #WeAreICGC are
activated by church members to trend
each Sunday during churches
Newsletters / SMS
Birthday wishes, Service
Reminders,
ICGC App
Tithing, pledges, offering via mobile
money and visa services – Asoriba
#PenteSunday
Steps to becoming a
digital vessel of the
gospel
1. Share Personal Testimonies
Personal stories of faith can be incredibly powerful and
relatable. Encourage church members to share their
testimonies on social media, blogs, or video platforms.
How to Implement:
● Social Media Posts: Share personal experiences
and how faith has impacted their lives on platforms
like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
● Video Testimonials: Record short videos sharing
their faith journey and post them on YouTube,
Instagram, or TikTok.
● Blogging: Start a personal blog or contribute to the
church’s blog to share more detailed stories and
reflections.
2. Engage in Online Discussions
Engaging in meaningful conversations in online forums, social
media groups, and comment sections can spread the message of
Christ and provide support to others seeking faith.
How to Implement:
● Join Groups: Participate in relevant Facebook groups,
Reddit threads, and other online communities.
● Comment and Share: Actively comment on posts and
share encouraging and insightful content.
● Create Conversations: Initiate discussions about faith,
spirituality, and related topics in their online networks.
3. Utilize Creative Content
Creative content can capture attention and convey messages in a
compelling way. Church members can use their talents to create content
that spreads the gospel.
How to Implement:
● Art and Design: Share faith-based art, graphics, and memes on
social media.
● Music and Videos: Create and share worship songs,
inspirational videos, and vlogs that highlight Christian values.
● Photography: Post photos with Bible verses or inspirational
quotes that resonate with their audience.
● Podcast and Audio Content: Podcasts and audio content are
popular and easily accessible ways to share faith-based
messages and teachings.
4. Support Mental Health and
Well-Being
Providing support for mental health and well-being can be a powerful
way to live out Christian compassion and care.
How to Implement:
● Mental Health Resources: Share Christian-based mental
health resources, articles, and support services on social
media.
● Virtual Counselling: Offer virtual counselling sessions or
support groups for those struggling with mental health issues.
● Encouragement and Support: Regularly post encouraging
messages, Bible verses, and practical tips for managing stress
and anxiety.
5. Promote and Share Church
Content
Encourage members to actively promote and share the church’s
online content, such as sermons, blog posts, and events.
How to Implement:
● Social Media Sharing: Share church posts, live streams, and
events on their personal profiles.
● Email Newsletters: Forward church newsletters to friends and
family who might be interested.
● Event Promotion: Use digital tools to invite people to church
events, webinars, and online services.
“
The Church’s online strategy doesn’t only
help launch our message during those
1–2 hours on Sundays, but it helps
engage our audience the other 167
hours of the week.
“
Eli Daniel-Wilson
Contact:
054 091 9069
E-mail:
e.elidanielwilson@gmail.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-daniel-wilson/
Thank you

Digital Evangelism_ The Church in the Digital Age - ICGC Holy Ghost Temple 2024.pdf

  • 1.
    THE CHURCH INTHE DIGITAL AGE Presented by: Eli Daniel-Wilson June 2024
  • 2.
    “ ..the old hasgone, the new is here! “
  • 3.
    “In an agewhere nearly 67% of the world's population is online, how is the Church leveraging this opportunity to spread its message? “
  • 4.
    CONTENT Digital Landscape 1 Landscape Importance of the Church Going Digital 2 TheNeed Best Case Studies 3 Best Cases Becoming a digital Evangelist 4 Evangelism
  • 5.
  • 7.
    Most Used SocialApps in Ghana Source: Statista, 2024
  • 8.
    Is social mediaoverrated? Here are the facts LINKEDIN / TWITTER • 1.80 million “members” in Ghana in early 2022 on LinkedIn • Twitter has 919.7 thousand FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM • Facebook has 7.05 million users in Ghana • 2.20 million users on Instagram • 44.90 million cellular • ~24 million internet users in Ghana • 8.80 million social media users in Ghana GHANA OVERVIEW WHATSAPP • Estimated over 14million WhatsApp Users in Ghana Source: We Are Social / Hootsuite/ Statista
  • 9.
    WHY THE CHURCH NEEDSTO GO DIGITAL
  • 10.
    Why the Churchneeds to go digital 1 3 5 4 2 DIGITAL is not going away You risk losing influence It’s never been easier Your attendance might actually grow a tool for interaction and connection, not merely a megaphone to announce the next church program and party.
  • 11.
    How Churches areleveraging Digital
  • 12.
    BEST CASE STUDIESOF CHURCH GOING DIGITAL
  • 13.
  • 14.
    Case Study 1:Life.Church Overview: Life.Church, based in Oklahoma, is one of the most well-known examples of a church leveraging digital platforms for evangelism. Digital Strategies: ● YouVersion Bible App: Created by Life.Church, this app has been downloaded over 500 million times worldwide. It offers various translations of the Bible, reading plans, and community features. ● Online Services: Life.Church was a pioneer in offering online church services. They stream their services live and provide an on-demand library of sermons. ● Social Media: Active engagement on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with followers and spread their message. ● Church Online Platform: Developed a free platform that other churches can use to stream their services and interact with their online congregations. Impact: ● Reached millions of people globally who might not have access to a physical church. ● Fostered a global online community through their Church Online platform. ● Enabled continuous spiritual growth through the YouVersion Bible App.
  • 15.
  • 16.
    Case Study 2:Hillsong Church Overview: Hillsong Church, with locations worldwide, is renowned for its effective use of digital media to spread its message. Digital Strategies: ● Hillsong Channel: A dedicated TV and online streaming service that broadcasts worship services, conferences, and original content. ● Music and Media: Utilizes platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music to share their worship music, which has a massive following. ● Social Media and Apps: Active presence on social media and dedicated apps for sermons, music, and event information. Impact: ● Global reach through their music and media, impacting millions of lives. ● Created a cohesive global community with regular online interactions and engagement. ● Facilitated easy access to worship and spiritual content, attracting a younger, tech-savvy audience.
  • 17.
  • 18.
    Case Study 3:ICGC #WeAreICGC Live Streaming Facebook and YouTube Livestreaming of services and prayer sessions. Live quotes of key teachings Community Building Churches continually growing online community through church updates, sermons and connecting with new and existing members across different platforms Short video /Podcasts Uploads of special teachings, full sermons, prayer sessions Hashtag Activation #PenteSunday #WeAreICGC are activated by church members to trend each Sunday during churches Newsletters / SMS Birthday wishes, Service Reminders, ICGC App Tithing, pledges, offering via mobile money and visa services – Asoriba #PenteSunday
  • 19.
    Steps to becominga digital vessel of the gospel
  • 20.
    1. Share PersonalTestimonies Personal stories of faith can be incredibly powerful and relatable. Encourage church members to share their testimonies on social media, blogs, or video platforms. How to Implement: ● Social Media Posts: Share personal experiences and how faith has impacted their lives on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. ● Video Testimonials: Record short videos sharing their faith journey and post them on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. ● Blogging: Start a personal blog or contribute to the church’s blog to share more detailed stories and reflections.
  • 21.
    2. Engage inOnline Discussions Engaging in meaningful conversations in online forums, social media groups, and comment sections can spread the message of Christ and provide support to others seeking faith. How to Implement: ● Join Groups: Participate in relevant Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and other online communities. ● Comment and Share: Actively comment on posts and share encouraging and insightful content. ● Create Conversations: Initiate discussions about faith, spirituality, and related topics in their online networks.
  • 22.
    3. Utilize CreativeContent Creative content can capture attention and convey messages in a compelling way. Church members can use their talents to create content that spreads the gospel. How to Implement: ● Art and Design: Share faith-based art, graphics, and memes on social media. ● Music and Videos: Create and share worship songs, inspirational videos, and vlogs that highlight Christian values. ● Photography: Post photos with Bible verses or inspirational quotes that resonate with their audience. ● Podcast and Audio Content: Podcasts and audio content are popular and easily accessible ways to share faith-based messages and teachings.
  • 23.
    4. Support MentalHealth and Well-Being Providing support for mental health and well-being can be a powerful way to live out Christian compassion and care. How to Implement: ● Mental Health Resources: Share Christian-based mental health resources, articles, and support services on social media. ● Virtual Counselling: Offer virtual counselling sessions or support groups for those struggling with mental health issues. ● Encouragement and Support: Regularly post encouraging messages, Bible verses, and practical tips for managing stress and anxiety.
  • 24.
    5. Promote andShare Church Content Encourage members to actively promote and share the church’s online content, such as sermons, blog posts, and events. How to Implement: ● Social Media Sharing: Share church posts, live streams, and events on their personal profiles. ● Email Newsletters: Forward church newsletters to friends and family who might be interested. ● Event Promotion: Use digital tools to invite people to church events, webinars, and online services.
  • 25.
    “ The Church’s onlinestrategy doesn’t only help launch our message during those 1–2 hours on Sundays, but it helps engage our audience the other 167 hours of the week. “
  • 26.
    Eli Daniel-Wilson Contact: 054 0919069 E-mail: e.elidanielwilson@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-daniel-wilson/
  • 27.