news article
Grow discipleship digitally
September 28, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Since the start of the COVID pandemic last March, clergy and members of churches throughout the world have leaped out of their comfort zones into the world of digital ministry. Many churches in the Upper New York Conference developed websites and a social media presence, began livestreaming worship services, created online giving options, and started having small group meetings on Zoom.
This fall, the Upper New York Conference is offering trainings by three clergy members who have successfully increased discipleship at their church by connecting with others online.
Online Giving
The Rev. B.J. Norrix, Lead Pastor of the Syracuse United Methodist Ministries and pastor at Erwin First UMC and Brown Memorial UMC uses Tithe.ly, an online giving platform to increase giving at Erwin Frist UMC.
Click here to see a video of Rev. Norrix explaining how much giving has increased at Erwin by using Tithe.ly.
Rev. Norrix will be teaching an online worship on using Tithe.ly as an online giving option on Tuesday Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Click here at that time to attend this free workshop.
Lori Jagow is the online minister at Pendleton Center UMC. She is using Facebook to increase discipleship at her church.
You can watch a video to learn how Lori increased her church’s following ten-fold in just a few months. Click here to gain some insight from Lori on increasing discipleship using Facebook.
Lori will be teaching an online workshop on Using Facebook to Increase Discipleship on Zoom on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. Click here at that time to attend this free workshop.
Zoom
While the trainings we are offering will be done through Zoom, Zoom can be used in so many ways beyond webinars and trainings. For example, the Rev. Rachel Barnhart uses Zoom at Broad Street UMC to host house churches.
Click here to hear more about what Rev. Barnhart has to say about how the Zoom house church model safely brings people together to be the body of Christ during the COVID pandemic.
Rev. Barnhart will be teaching an online workshop on hosting House Churches through Zoom on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. Click here at that time to attend this free workshop.
In addition to Tithe.ly, Facebook, and Zoom, there are so many digital platforms you can use to safely connect with others during this pandemic. Click here for more resources on the UNY Conference website.