Churches online – growing numbers, growing income?
A recent Church of England press release – https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/more-17000-online-services-and-events-provided-church-england-parishes –
has highlighted the dramatic increase in people putting on and taking part in online services held by local churches during the pandemic. It has also provided statistics about the startling levels of participation in nationally organised services and social media posts. Other good news is that while Sunday attendances have declined by 2.1%, churches engagement in social action and in schools is on the increase by a similar amount.
While these dramatic changes may be temporary and there is nothing to replace meeting in person, it is likely that this has been a tipping point for the Church’s confidence in its digital offering. One very real problem of course, is how church congregations meeting primarily online can continue to provide opportunities for Christian giving both to support parish ministry but also the wider community engagement highlighted in the report.
Craigmyle is looking at church initiatives to maintain and increase their giving over the pandemic. We are applying church fundraising best practice developed over sixty years, but looking at new digital possibilities.
Articulating why regular giving is important, knowing your supporters (actual and potential), and making the method of giving clear on the website and in the church itself are first steps to a raising the funds needed to maintain and grow the church’s worship mission and social action.
#churchfundraising #regulargiving
