Technology can be a powerful enabler of the ministry teaching experience, and can significantly amplify the classroom experience. This, of course, has never been truer than during recent times, where the Coronavirus pandemic forced communities to congregate using online platforms and video technology.
Just some of the ways church team’s around the globe are implementing technology include encouraging kid-friendly Bible apps, creating visual presentations, live-streaming ministry events, creating community social media groups, and so much more.
With the tech space being ever-changing, this doesn’t mean you have to chase the latest new gadget or invest in every single fad. You do, however, need to ensure you are communicating in a way that is both engaging and relevant to the children and families who attend your ministry every week. The kids in your children’s ministry are likely to be more knowledgeable about technology than you are since they’ve grown up around it. So, why not incorporate something they are familiar with to teach them about faith?
But for many of us working in the church community, technology can still be a daunting prospect. Thankfully, there are many great tech Facebook groups out there that have made it incredibly simple for members of the church community to connect, learn and grow.
From live-streaming to presentation design; let’s take a look at some of the great places you can find online community help and support.
CMG Community
If you are looking for support on areas including screen visuals, graphic design, live events, video production, lighting design, stage design, and other related topics —then this is the group for you. With a private community of over 40,000 members of church tech leaders and volunteers, you can be sure to connect with brilliant people who can assist and support you with whatever queries you may have.
Join the group here.
Church Sound & Media Techs
If your kid’s ministry is looking to build its knowledge up around church presentation software, then Church Sound & Media Techs (CSMT) is a Facebook community you’ll want to explore. CSMT was created for tech leaders in the church community to pass on the knowledge that they may have to others that might need it. Here you can find all sorts of incredible advice on topics including equipment, mixing, recording techniques, church presentation software, lighting, projection, and more. The perfect group for anything tech or media-related.
Join the group here.
Church Creatives
Are you passionate about giving your church media a little upheaval? Maybe your presentation materials are feeling a little dated? Well, this Facebook group of over 50,000 members was created with one goal in mind: to make church media more cinematic and professional. The group is made up of a vibrant community of like-minded people who share posts such as tips and tricks for video editing software, best practices for lighting setups, top cameras for live-streaming, and so much more. With discussions flowing daily, you’ll find no shortage of inspiration to transform your children’s ministry presentations and materials.
Join the group here.
Canva for Church
Who said creating great designs for your church or ministry had to be hard? If you haven’t got the time to learn the ins and outs of Adobe Photoshop, then Canva could be a handy tool for you. This free-to-use website helps even the most amateur of designers create beautiful and professional graphics with ease. Users can pick from a range of ready-to-use templates (from presentation slides to social media posts), or if they’re feeling particularly creative, they can start from scratch using the wide array of tools available. The “Canva for Church Facebook group” provides a wonderful community of people to help you use Canva for your church or ministry. From how to design showstopping sermon slides, to strategies to implement branding; you can find it all here.
Join the group here.
Church Social Media Managers
In today’s digital age, having a social media strategy has become a vital way to effectively engage your audience. Almost every business, school, and non-profit has discovered the need for social media platforms in connecting with people digitally. Your ministry is no exception. If you’re a bit of a novice when it comes to social media - or even just looking for some fresh inspiration - then the “Church Social Media Managers” is the Facebook group for you. Consisting of almost 40,000 members, this group offers a whole lot of support and discussion for those who run Christian church pages across any form of social media platform. From keeping up with the latest trends and updates, to making friends with others just like you, you’ll be sure to come away from this welcoming environment feeling inspired.
Join the group here.
Churches That Live Stream
Livestreaming has brought many benefits and opportunities to church communities. The ability to broadcast real-time video and audio of church services has enabled greater accessibility than ever before, connecting with members when they are away from home, traveling abroad, or perhaps having to isolate themselves due to Covid-19. Your ministry services, events, meetings, and concerts bring so much joy and comfort to your community — and live-streaming allows you to share these far and wide. Providing an amazing community of worship leaders and volunteers giving honest advice and technology tips is the “Churches That Live Stream” Facebook group. Whether you want to find out which cameras are the best for live-streaming your services, or you need help on how to resolve a software issue, this is the group to find the answers.
Join the group here.
Technology today is a big driver for community engagement within children’s ministries, helping to make church services and teachings far more accessible for all. Like many of us, we could all do with some extra support and inspiration — and the Facebook groups above are a perfect place to start.
Do you have any recommendations for helpful church technology Facebook groups not included above? Let us know!