The New Rules of Engagement:Building Community and Bonds in the Hybrid Church
Dr. Cathryn Stout
Two pastors and a writer walk into a bar, and instead of a joke, a solemn conversation ensues.
“The bar is packed. The stores are packed,” said a veteran pastor taking in the scene. “Everywhere is packed again except the pews.”
His sentiments reflect conversations and frustrations that many pastors nationwide are holding. As the pandemic wanes and May 11 approaches marking the Biden Administration’s official end to the nation’s COVID-19 public health crisis, a crisis of confidence is emerging among church leaders who have yet to see a return to their pre-pandemic attendance.
Over the centuries, adaptation has helped sustain The Black Church, with the institution shifting from hush harbors to hybrid worship. And now that we have touched and agreed that hybrid worship is more than a mega-church enterprise or pandemic fad, we must improve the hybrid experience to build community and convert casual viewers into engaged members. For church leaders ready to level up their hybrid experience, here are four ideas:
Visit Sick, Shut-In, & Virtual Members: Visiting the sick and shut-in has long been a clergy priority, but the time has come to expand from the sick and shut-in list to the sick, shut-in, and virtual members list. Some former in-person members have settled into worshiping virtually due to social anxiety spurred by years of social distancing. Others have simply forgotten the value of fellowship. But whether someone is homebound by force or choice, a scheduled visit from a deacon or church peer can soothe the anxious, disconnected, or ailing soul. If the member is inclined, capturing the visit in a photo makes a great social media post or simply documents the moment for the church and the host as a testament to the power of presence.
Include Virtual Members in Service: The typical order of service has several parts before the preaching moment begins. There is the call to worship, a hymn, a scripture reading, a visitors’ welcome, tithes and offerings, and additional songs. Traditionally, folks inside the sanctuary lead these activities; however, inviting virtual members to lead a scripture reading or visitor welcome through a recorded video is a powerful act of outreach. If asking for submitted videos, include instructions on camera angles and lighting; however, for best results, the church’s media team should visit and record virtual members.
Today’s church media teams must spend as much time in the streets as they do in the sanctuary. In the digital age, they are one of the church’s most powerful ambassadors. Their house calls will ensure the quality of recordings and create authentic touchpoints between members. This casual meeting may be just the connection needed to reassure virtual members that familiar faces are waiting if ever they walk through the church doors.
Host a Virtual Meet the Pastor Game Night: While converting many virtual members into in-person members is possible, others have decided that streaming service works best for them. Thus, church leaders must meet them where they are–online–and, ironically, fishers of souls have always needed the net.
A virtual Meet the Pastor Game Night is just one of the quarterly events that churches should plan with their online audience to build community. We’ve all come a long way in planning Zoom events in this pandemic era, but I cannot overstate the importance of engagement. Bible Trivia can inspire friendly competition, yet a savvier twist is Worship Service Trivia because it encourages virtual members to tune in from week to week and recall humorous or powerful moments from recent services. At-home scavenger hunts are also hilarious over Zoom. All you need is breakout rooms with teams of 2 to 4, a list of common-ish household or Sunday Best items, and a timer. There are tons of online activities that church leaders can adapt for a Virtual Game Night to help virtual members build memories and bonds.
Create a Virtual Receiving Line: Whenever I watch my favorite Virginia pastor online, I am always disappointed that the broadcast ends too soon. However, one of the highlights of church is standing in the receiving line after service to greet the pastor. So how can we recreate that highlight online? Consider this: one Sunday a month, invite online viewers to a 20-minute post-church Zoom session. Promote it as a time for the pastor to greet the virtual members who watched that day.
Another option is to create a call log and invite listed viewers to join a one-on-one, 2-minute FaceTime call with Pastor one Sunday a month immediately following worship. As a devout Android user, I admit that FaceTime with Pastor does have its limitations. Still, for those who insist on using iPhones, FaceTime with Pastor could be a brief but meaningful way to help a virtual viewer feel seen.
I often think about that conversation at the bar when a pastor I greatly admire lamented, “everywhere is packed again except the pews,” a circumstance he wrongly attributed to a personal failure instead of a cultural shift. He longed for the instant gratification of a packed house. He longed to engage with the seemingly disconnected. He longed for the familiar.
While how we do church may have dramatically shifted, why we do church has remained remarkably unchanged. Now more than ever, people are desperate for hope and authentic connections, and pastors must be teachers and students as they learn the new rules of engagement. To be sure, the future of the church is no joke. In this age of shifting membership and hybrid worship, we must expand our view of fellowship so that we not only welcome members and guests into the sanctuary but also meet them wherever they find sanctuary.
Dr. Cathryn Stout is a scholar of American cultural history and Chief of Communications and Broadcast Services for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. She is pursuing her Master’s in divinity at Interdenominational Theological Center.
