OUTREACH IDEAS: GO ONLINE
- Launch a crowdfunding campaign. Bring lots of people together around one goal—a needy family, a shelter or ministry, a national cause—by combining their donations for a larger impact. Popular crowdfunding sites include GoFundMe.com, Kickstarter.com and Fundrazr.com.
- Use Facebook Live for storytelling. Invite volunteers to tell the story of how they got involved or livestream the testimony of someone who is going to be baptized. Stories from a variety of voices will provide value to your audience and can build a deeper connection with those on social media.
- Explore outreach via Zoom. You most likely have been using Zoom or other meeting technologies for meetings, but consider using it for worship, discipleship, prayer and pastoral care.
- Use TikTok. TikTok users spend an average of more than 850 minutes on the app each month. Build engagement with a video that reacts to someone else’s video or one with the sole purpose of making people smile.
- Use Instagram stories question sticker. You can ask your community questions or answer their questions, demonstrating that you’re approachable and engaged.
* Tell us what you want to learn next in small groups.
* What questions do you have about God?
* Give us your best relationship questions.
* Tell us your all-time favorite book.
- Start a storytelling blog. You can archive, catalog and categorize your life-change stories. People can go back and see how God has worked in the history of the church.
- Use Snapchat’s “My Story” function. It’s like a picture/video journal for the user and is great a way to share what your ministry is all about. You post everything you do; someone may find it interesting, see a short clip of a service and decide to check it out in person.
- Create a Spotify playlist. People can sample the music your church might play before they show up for a service. You can build a custom playlist with your current worship songs, and Spotify provides embed codes to put the player right onto your website.
- Add a story form to your website. Make it easy for people to share their story by clicking a button. These stories can often turn into great inspiration and encouragement for others if you share them in a video during church or on your website. Be sure to ask permission to share.
OUTREACH IDEAS: CONNECT WITH SENIORS
- Start a “pen pal” program. Pair youth and seniors to write, email or call one another. They can develop relationships and learn from one another.
- Help seniors fend off fraud. Host a class informing older adults of current fraud schemes, as well as ways to stay safe. Have numerous laptops available for demonstration. Leave plenty of time for questions. Check out Justice.gov/ElderJustice and AARP.org/AARP-Foundation/our-work/income/elderwatch/.
- Start a Storied Lives program. In this program, local senior citizens write down their life story by partnering with youth. Teens get to hone their creativity and writing skills and the elderly enjoy the company as well as the honor of having their story told. The completed story is shared in a formal closing ceremony—at your church—with friends and family. Check out StoriedLivesProgram.org.
- Adopt a local nursing home or assisted living facility. Volunteers can lead regular church services, help maintain grounds and landscaping, and decorate for the holidays. Children can perform concerts, while youth can visit monthly to play board and card games with residents.
START NEW SMALL GROUPS AND CLUBS
- Start a divorce recovery ministry. Support those going through divorce by offering and leading Divorce Care’s 13-week, video-based series (DivorceCare.org). You can also help kids navigate divorce in a similar format through Divorce Care for Kids (DC4K.org).
- Start an infertility support group. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 women are unable to get pregnant after trying for a year. Offer a safe space for couples that need support among others who understand.
- Start a weekly breakfast club for stay-at-home moms. Select a comfy location where moms can connect over coffee and pastries for an hour; provide childcare. The hour immediately following kid drop-off at local schools often works well.
- Create a LEGO Club. Invite kids and their friends to come to church one weeknight for an hour to learn more about the Bible by playing with LEGOs. You provide a snack and a Bible story. Then have kids recreate the story with LEGOs. Post pictures of the creations on Facebook to engage with parents and others.
- Start a small group for caregivers. More than 43 million people in the U.S. provide care to an adult with a disability or illness. They are likely tired and could use extra support and recognition. Use the 10-week curriculum The Heart of the Caregiver (TheHeartOfTheCaregiver.com).
- Start a running group. Running is easier when you have a friend to do it with. Have runners meet at your church weekly and run a different route each time.
- Start a grief support ministry. Help support those who have recently lost a loved one. Check out GriefShare’s 13-week curriculum (GriefShare.org).
- Start a book club. Meet monthly in person or online to discuss a book that does not necessarily need to be Christian or faith-based. Invite the community. The library is a great place to promote this club.
- Start a Moms in Prayer group. Mothers across the world gather in small groups to pray specifically for the schools, students and staff in their areas. Visit MomsInPrayer.org.
- Start a ministry for motorcycle enthusiasts. Bikers can gather regularly at your church for fellowship, worship and a ride. For ideas: FellowshipRiders.org or BikersForChrist.org
- Create a group for parents who have had a miscarriage. Moms and dads who lose a baby go through terrible pain. A support group with an experienced counselor on hand could help them.
- Start a golf small group. For fans of the lifetime sport, creating a specific group just for them will be a hole in one. Golfers can play regularly at different courses in the area while also sharing a short devotion and prayer time.
- Challenge small groups to action. Encourage each small group to adopt a local nonprofit or ministry. Group members can serve with time and resources on a regular basis, and in the process, build new relationships.
- Launch a group for single parents whose kids have left home. Single parents often are lonely, and that feeling is heightened when their children leave home. While your church may not have many congregants in that situation, partner with other churches and open meetings to the public, and you will see the need is big.
Do you have outreach ideas you would like to share with other churches? Let us know at TellUs@outreachmagazine.com.
