YOUR CHURCH NEEDS AN APP

For the last decade, cutting edge congregations have been adding mobile apps to their ministry communications plans.  These early adopters have tended to be very large and/or to serve a good volume of young adults.

In the early days, it was a bit klunky; but today it is getting much easier. Your church information data system probably has already developed a platform for an app that will integrate with it. My church happens to use Tithely for data management and communications.  Their app platform is relatively easy to use and can integrate seamlessly with your church website.

They highly recommend that if you need to redesign your website that you do that first, and they offer website design services for a very reasonable price.

In other words there is now no good reason to wait any longer.  Several of our church staff met yesterday to get the ball rolling so that we can rebuild our website and launch a mobile app in the next sixty days.

It’s not just for young adults. Eighty year olds use apps for banking, airline tickets, grocery delivery and calling for a ride when parking is too expensive.  Older adults do not expect an app.  But the majority of them will no longer read an emailed newsletter, except to scan it. And they commonly rank communication is a significant challenge for their church.  An app can solve the communication gap.

It is a 24-7 church office.  Once they start using it, the volume of phone calls will diminish, enabling office staff and volunteers to do other things besides constantly answering the phone.

As for younger adults, solid research reveals multiple disconnects with the culture of long-established churches. The disconnect is growing more severe.  It touches upon social issues, membership mentality, institutionalization of religion, weekend priorities and children’s sports, worship music and vibe, etc.

But these younger generations are consummate consumers and they are digital. If we expect them to engage with us, many will prefer to do so via a mobile app.   If we think the app is unnecessary, we are choosing to send them to a church that values their experience more.