In Part 1, we took a closer look at expanding your church through an online campus. Expanding online is a great way to expand your reach–without expanding your physical space.
Below are 10 helpful online campus tips as you prepare to expand your campus virtually:
TIP #1
An online campus is another “neighborhood” full of people far from God and not limited by geography or the size of a building.
TIP #2
Online campuses won’t be seen as a “real” campus unless you see online relationships as legitimate.
TIP #3
Successful online campuses have a heart, so appoint a dedicated online campus pastor to provide care for those online.
Tip #4
Determine the goal and priorities of your online campus. Is it outreach? Member care? Church marketing?
TIP #5
Go to school on other churches doing online campuses well. Most will be glad to share what they have learned.
TIP #6
Smart churches make it easy to give digitally online.
TIP #7
Create a digital community with your online campus by integrating social media tools like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
TIP #8
Decide ahead of time how your online campus will handle communion and baptism (it will come up).
TIP #9
Online campuses cost less than a building but more than you think, so budget for a small staff, quality equipment, streaming fees, etc.
TIP #10
An online campus is a worldwide campus, so be sensitive to world events, holidays and America-centric attitudes. Be as inclusive as possible.
Jim Tomberlin is founder and senior strategist of MultiSite Solutions.