Nearly all churches run or provide resources to missions. Yet how can your church’s digital platforms best support them? You should already have procedures and tools in place to promote your basic ministries. This article tell you how to adapt them to give the recognition, support, and prominence they need.
I have wanted to write about missions for a while. They are a key part of many churches’ outreach and inreach strategies. Some missions
Content Integration
Churches that associate with missions should showcase them on their digital platforms. By integrating content you show how connected you are with your missions. This is especially helpful if you are supporting them financially. Congregation members want to know how you steward their tithes. Reading an update on a ministry is a great way to keep them informed. It also shows outsiders what your church supports. Integrate those news and event posts with your social media campaigns as well. Some of your missions may have social media identities of their own. Do not let this stop you from cross-pollinating. Occasionally share those update to let your congregation what opportunities await them.
Testimony Integration
Mission work is one of the most transformative things your church can offer. Yes, we travel to the far reaches of the earth to help others. But the change we notice the most is in our own hearts. We see the effect that basic health care, a pair of shoes, or new textbooks has. Even local missions can impact us. Helping a family in your own city can certainly change your perspective on what life is like around you. Showcase those transformations throughout your mission pages. Whenever you have a campaign in your other ministries for those missions, those testimonies will be ready to reuse.
Donation Integration
The missions you support do not run on prayers alone. They need resources in the form of donating physical goods and money. If you have online donations, they are most likely presented from a ministry perspective. I would encourage you to consolidate the mechanisms to process your donations. Yet have different funnels to get there. As I mentioned in my articles about donations, you want to have several things in place before publishing your “donate now” button. Create a series of pages that detail all the ministry supports. Weave in some of the testimonies. Then connect various donation amounts to specific items. Such as $50 for textbooks for a year. Or $10 for a week of meals. After they select their amounts, then process that transaction through your central system. Those unique content & solicitation pages help inform your visitors where and what their money will be used for.
Special Considerations
Some missions need to remain somewhat anonymous, or have certain details withheld. This is because certain missions are conducted in places hostile to Christians. My church supports missions in China that are under threat of government shutdown. There are many missions that run “underground” churches. These churches must evade persecution from hostile factions. Talk with those mission leaders to ensure you garner support without exposing anyone to unnecessary risk.
Action Item
The first thing you will need is a list of all the missions your church supports. Next, create an outline of the various content each mission will require on your site. Eventually a pattern should emerge. Create “levels” of templates. Some missions may only need one page and a link to that mission’s separate website. Other missions may need several pages and a funnel to solicit donations. Create and reuse those templates so all the missions your church supports gets in the spotlight. Then enjoy the benefits of your congregation being more informed, and your missions getting more support!
Photo courtesy of Daniel Andres Forero
