In Fishing On The Other Side, I talk about putting together a digital outreach team with the responsibility of engaging church website visitors and social media contacts in online conversations that lead to face-to-face encounters with gospel sharing people. These encounters can happen in your church's small groups, worship services and special events. In this process, we are looking for the plentiful harvest that Jesus talks about in Matthew 9:37.  These are people who know that they need God in their life and are open to being guided to Christ. 

Online conversations can happen most easily on social media platforms where people like, share and comment on content. Conversations can also happen on church websites. An effective church website is one that encourages conversations that lead to relationships. When web content is written in a way that encourages interaction, conversations are more likely. If your team views the church website merely as a place to post information, then conversation is stifled. Bear in mind that a person’s first interaction with your church may be due to an internet search which lands them on a random page of your church website and not necessarily the home page. The challenge for your team is to create content that fosters conversation and to be creative in how that conversation can take place. Website visitors can be encouraged to email a contact person for more information, complete an online form, sign up for a newsletter subscription, download a document, join a social media group, comment on a blog post or even call the church office. Remember that communication is a two-way process, so be sure to allow for and encourage online conversations in any way that you can.

Come and Join our Orlando City Group gathering from 10 am to 12 noon on Thursday, September 5 at Fist Baptist Church of Orlando: 3000 S John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32805, Faith Hall Room 353. I will be leading the discussion on Developing Digital Discipleship Pathways. I will be share some concepts from my new book, Fishing On The Other Side: A Guide To Being The Church in The Digital Age. 

In the digital age, we have numerous opportunities to evangelize and disciple new people in very personal ways. On September 5th, we will talk about how to use the digital tools at our resource to help your current members to develop gospel-sharing relationships both online and face to face. We will talk about potential pathways of discipleship for people that your church interacts with on social media and your church website. This is a free event, but registration is required. Please register at ReproducingChurches.com to let us know that you plan to attend. 

Mark Weible serves as the Strategic Director of Renovation National Church Revitalization Conference, Director of Church Planting for Greater Orlando Baptist Association and Directional Leader for ReproducingChurches.com. Mark is an experienced Search Engine Optimizer and Google Advertising Professional.