As we listen attentively to the provincial, federal and global health authorities, we are also listening to our leaders and community of faith members who are seeking direction, support and resources for connecting in worship and fellowship online. We asked Andria Irwin of HighlandsOnline.org to share with us her tested tips on offering welcoming, meaningful online experiences so that people can connect with the worship content. These tips from Andria are for communities of faith and ministries who already have either a YouTube, Facebook on Online Streaming presence, to refine your online offerings for your virtual parishioners. (Coming soon is a second resource from online minsitry leader Rev Bob Fillier, on ‘why online streaming worship’ and tips to get started. This second resource will be for church and ministry leaders who are keen to get their ministry online, but haven’t yet done so.)

With love, light and gratitude for the bounty of experience and information lifting leadership and community gathering to new heights,

The LeaderShift Team

8 Tips for Helping Online Worshippers Feel a Sense of Community When They Gather

by Andria Irwin

Gathering

This is such an interesting time we find ourselves in, and it’s a good opportunity to explore the potentially sacred aspects of this tool that so often frightens and overwhelms us. How can we remain a community, even if we must self-isolate? This is where online worship is so valuable.

TIP #1: For churches who don’t broadcast services themselves, look to attend a congregation online who does. Get in touch with the leadership ahead of time so they know you’ll be coming. Perhaps there is a creative way to be included.

TIP #2: Gather in a small group at someone’s home and watch a worship communities service on a smart TV. Participants can stand and sing together, say the prayers, and hold each other accountable in that way. Who knows, it might be a gateway to further small group ministry!  This is also a wonderful way to gain exposure to how other churches worship. We have the gift of diversity in this United Church of ours.

Welcome

One of the reasons we gather together as the church is to see and be seen, to know and be known. This doesn’t stop where the walls of our building begin. Those who are gathered online, even if they aren’t comfortable using all the bells and whistles, still want to feel like they belong.

TIP #3: If we know people are gathering online (either in clusters or alone) can we name them from the chancel? “Welcome everyone, to Mark in Halifax and Susan in Montreal, and I think Gene and Dave are here too! Make sure you let us know how you are in the chat box, Gene – we’ve got Jane hosting that today!”

Engage

I've found the most meaningful way to connect online during worship itself is to make the worship more of a conversation. Many free platforms like Facebook Live and YouTube enable people to chat throughout the service. A step further is to have your congregation place a "host" in the midst of it like you would have at the door of the church so someone is guiding the conversation. This person could collect prayer requests, find out the health of the congregants, monitor the mood of the chat, and keep energy up.

TIP #4: This is my favorite volunteer position for teens and young adults that the older members of the congregation might not get to meet or interact with often. It’s also a great opportunity for inter-gen relationship building. Could one of the teens teach a senior member how to log on?

TIP #5: Consider communion. If congregations are emboldened to do so they can let people know the blessing over the elements extends to wherever they are gathered (if your theology permits), so being at home is no reason not to celebrate our Holy meal.

TIP #6: Make giving easy! If your church usually takes an offering, there are lots of ways to experiment with that online. Add a link to your PAR form, look into PayPal, Tithe.ly, PushPay, or SQUARE.

Sending Out

What people tell me they miss most when attending church online is the “coffee hour” feeling — those quick hellos and small conversations that people live for week-by-week. So creating some way for people to have those even though they aren’t in-person is so special.

TIP #7: Instead of turning the camera off right away after the blessing, could someone speak directly to the online congregation and offer a personal goodbye or pose a “question of the week” that people can think about as they go away? This makes the transition from worship into daily life a little softer.

TIP #8: Follow up with those you know who were worshipping online to find out how they’re doing in-between services and what their experience was like. Not only will this provide valuable feedback for your online endeavors, but it will remind people that the virtual realm is not without the power of the Spirit. God is present, wherever, however, we are gathered.

Andria Irwin is HighlandsOnline.org United Online Minister. Learn more about Andria, the United Online ministry, and how to worship is Highlands Online on their website.