1/27
Re-reading the recommendations from the @McCrindle_ "Future of Church in Australia" report today ... and they are SO close to being helpful!
I think every #AustralianChurch leader needs read the report ... and then take the recommendations one step further.
Re-reading the recommendations from the @McCrindle_ "Future of Church in Australia" report today ... and they are SO close to being helpful!
I think every #AustralianChurch leader needs read the report ... and then take the recommendations one step further.
2/27
The first @McCrindle_ recommendation suggests that the #AustralianChurch "... is much more likely to grow if church leaders and churchgoers are engaging with their local communities"
Yes! And this engagement starts in the digital space.
The first @McCrindle_ recommendation suggests that the #AustralianChurch "... is much more likely to grow if church leaders and churchgoers are engaging with their local communities"
Yes! And this engagement starts in the digital space.
3/27
I first started as an online and social media pastor when I moved from Melbourne to New Jersey in 2008 ...
and if there's one thing I've learned it's that churches need to stop using social media to promote events, and start using it to promote conversations.
I first started as an online and social media pastor when I moved from Melbourne to New Jersey in 2008 ...
and if there's one thing I've learned it's that churches need to stop using social media to promote events, and start using it to promote conversations.
4/27
For example, do #AustralianChurch leaders know you can use hashtags to search for needs in your local community?
Search for the hashtag #depressed or #anxiety in your area, and reach out to support the people who use it.
For example, do #AustralianChurch leaders know you can use hashtags to search for needs in your local community?
Search for the hashtag #depressed or #anxiety in your area, and reach out to support the people who use it.
5/27
You see ...
Being "relevant" isn't about moving lights or skinny jeans.
You're relevant when you meet the needs of the people in your community.
You see ...
Being "relevant" isn't about moving lights or skinny jeans.
You're relevant when you meet the needs of the people in your community.
6/27
So, the #AustralianChurch should use their social media to listen more than to promote.
Use Instagram and Twitter to find out what people in your community need, and then meet that need.
After all, loving your neighbor was more than just a fun suggestion.
So, the #AustralianChurch should use their social media to listen more than to promote.
Use Instagram and Twitter to find out what people in your community need, and then meet that need.
After all, loving your neighbor was more than just a fun suggestion.
7/27
The next @McCrindle_ recommendation is for the #AustralianChurch "... to be expressed through authentic relationships throughout the week, in the ‘in between’ spaces."
Gen X Pastors knew these as "third spaces" like cafes and plazas. But times have changed.
The next @McCrindle_ recommendation is for the #AustralianChurch "... to be expressed through authentic relationships throughout the week, in the ‘in between’ spaces."
Gen X Pastors knew these as "third spaces" like cafes and plazas. But times have changed.
8/27
In the modern world, these ‘in between’ spaces where relationships are built is on platforms like Facebook Groups, YouTube, and on live streams to Instagram Stories or TikTok.
In the modern world, these ‘in between’ spaces where relationships are built is on platforms like Facebook Groups, YouTube, and on live streams to Instagram Stories or TikTok.
9/27
I mean, for the first time in human history, #AustralianChurch leaders—and Church leaders anywhere—have the tools to "... go into all the world" in an instant!
So, let's use technology to reach more people and change more lives.
I mean, for the first time in human history, #AustralianChurch leaders—and Church leaders anywhere—have the tools to "... go into all the world" in an instant!
So, let's use technology to reach more people and change more lives.
10/27
I met with a pastor in the US this year who averages 200 views a week of his message on YouTube ...
but got 18,000 views when he went live to YouTube and simply prayed for people's needs.
That's relational.
That's authenticity in an ‘in between’ space.
I met with a pastor in the US this year who averages 200 views a week of his message on YouTube ...
but got 18,000 views when he went live to YouTube and simply prayed for people's needs.
That's relational.
That's authenticity in an ‘in between’ space.
11/27
The @McCrindle_ team then suggests the #AustralianChurch needs to engage the next generation to "... encourage the sharing of new information and ideas, ensuring the church remains culturally relevant."
I agree, but ...
The @McCrindle_ team then suggests the #AustralianChurch needs to engage the next generation to "... encourage the sharing of new information and ideas, ensuring the church remains culturally relevant."
I agree, but ...
12/27
... but #AustralianChurch leaders should know there are "current generation" people in churches who understand that cultural relevance is NOT just about the latest music, or having drone shots in your countdown video.
See previous tweet for the definition of "relevant".
... but #AustralianChurch leaders should know there are "current generation" people in churches who understand that cultural relevance is NOT just about the latest music, or having drone shots in your countdown video.
See previous tweet for the definition of "relevant".
13/27
The next @McCrindle_ recommendation is for the #AustralianChurch to "... equip leaders that will go on to serve in all parts of their life, both at work and at home, at church and in the public square."
I would add one caveat to this suggestion:
The next @McCrindle_ recommendation is for the #AustralianChurch to "... equip leaders that will go on to serve in all parts of their life, both at work and at home, at church and in the public square."
I would add one caveat to this suggestion:
14/27
If #AustralianChurch leaders only focus on finding and equipping the "leaders" in their church, the will miss the opportunity to equip the parents in their church.
If #AustralianChurch leaders only focus on finding and equipping the "leaders" in their church, the will miss the opportunity to equip the parents in their church.
15/27
After spending 7 years on staff at @NorthPoint in Atlanta, and now working with @OrangeLeaders ...
I have learned that the "secret-sauce" of church growth is when the church partners with parents to impact the children.
After spending 7 years on staff at @NorthPoint in Atlanta, and now working with @OrangeLeaders ...
I have learned that the "secret-sauce" of church growth is when the church partners with parents to impact the children.
16/27
Every year the church has about 40 hours with a child, but parents have 3,000 hours with them!
If the #AustralianChurch wants to impact the lifelong faith of a child, we need to partner with their parents if we are to have any chance of being effective.
Every year the church has about 40 hours with a child, but parents have 3,000 hours with them!
If the #AustralianChurch wants to impact the lifelong faith of a child, we need to partner with their parents if we are to have any chance of being effective.
17/27
Parents have approximately 936 weeks from the day a child is born until he or she graduates from high school.
#AustralianChurch leaders should focus on equipping parents to share their faith with, and disciple their own kids.
Parents have approximately 936 weeks from the day a child is born until he or she graduates from high school.
#AustralianChurch leaders should focus on equipping parents to share their faith with, and disciple their own kids.
18/27
2020 has been a difficult year for families.
Parents have added "school teacher" and "pastor" to their already over-crowded list of things to do.
The #AustralianChurch needs to do more to partner with and support Australian parents if we're going to make as difference.
2020 has been a difficult year for families.
Parents have added "school teacher" and "pastor" to their already over-crowded list of things to do.
The #AustralianChurch needs to do more to partner with and support Australian parents if we're going to make as difference.
19/27
The @McCrindle_ team says Church Leaders should develop "... a culture of leadership to build up Christians."
But not everyone in your church is a leader, yet most of them are either parents now, or plan on being parents.
How about creating a culture of equipping parents?
The @McCrindle_ team says Church Leaders should develop "... a culture of leadership to build up Christians."
But not everyone in your church is a leader, yet most of them are either parents now, or plan on being parents.
How about creating a culture of equipping parents?
20/27
And also, the "public square" in the modern world is on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
So the question becomes: How is the #AustralianChurch leveraging these tools for training and equipping, instead of just promotion?
And also, the "public square" in the modern world is on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
So the question becomes: How is the #AustralianChurch leveraging these tools for training and equipping, instead of just promotion?
21/27
Then @McCrindle_ suggests the #AustralianChurch needs to "reframe" how we think about online church in the future.
In March 2019 I wrote an article for @FoxNews about this and coined the term "omni-channel church".
You can read it here: buff.ly/2FkN8zp
Then @McCrindle_ suggests the #AustralianChurch needs to "reframe" how we think about online church in the future.
In March 2019 I wrote an article for @FoxNews about this and coined the term "omni-channel church".
You can read it here: buff.ly/2FkN8zp
22/27
If the #AustralianChurch wants to get the most out of lessons learned during COVID, an omni-channel approach to church must be considered.
Otherwise, churches will step back in time when they step back in their buildings.
If the #AustralianChurch wants to get the most out of lessons learned during COVID, an omni-channel approach to church must be considered.
Otherwise, churches will step back in time when they step back in their buildings.
23/27
One of the final recommendations from @McCrindle_ is that
"... indigenous leaders need to be given more opportunities to speak in churches."
As an Aboriginal Australian, I couldn't agree more!
One of the final recommendations from @McCrindle_ is that
"... indigenous leaders need to be given more opportunities to speak in churches."
As an Aboriginal Australian, I couldn't agree more!
24/27
I'm glad a ministry organization like @OrangeLeaders gave me—an indigenous Australian—an opportunity to serve the local Church as the Director of Orange for Australia and New Zealand.
I'm glad a ministry organization like @OrangeLeaders gave me—an indigenous Australian—an opportunity to serve the local Church as the Director of Orange for Australia and New Zealand.
25/27
And finally, @McCrindle_ says online content created by #AustralianChurch leaders should be "collated and shared" with all local churches.
Again, I agree!
Personally, I've shared messages via YouTube with Aussie churches, and Bible devotions on the @YouVersion Bible app.
And finally, @McCrindle_ says online content created by #AustralianChurch leaders should be "collated and shared" with all local churches.
Again, I agree!
Personally, I've shared messages via YouTube with Aussie churches, and Bible devotions on the @YouVersion Bible app.
26/27
But we also need to share online systems and strategies.
Which is why I share FREE resources at my website, daveadamson.co ... and why I created the “YouTube Your Church” Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/YouTube…
But we also need to share online systems and strategies.
Which is why I share FREE resources at my website, daveadamson.co ... and why I created the “YouTube Your Church” Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/YouTube…
27/27
If the #AustralianChurch is going to make an impact in Australia, we need to rethink and respond.
I think the @McCrindle_ team would agree the “Future of Church in Australia" depends on it.
If the #AustralianChurch is going to make an impact in Australia, we need to rethink and respond.
I think the @McCrindle_ team would agree the “Future of Church in Australia" depends on it.
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