Pastors and dare I say all leaders live by numbers. Anyone one of us who say we do not may be struggling with our own honesty. We know people are counted and if I count people it tells me things. It is OK – This is not about saying that is wrong. In fact, I could argue it is normal and right. Rather, the question I am facing today is what do I count?
I want to make this brief, but I also want to help focus us all in this technology period and in moments like today as we face unprecedented times of health that are driving people to more and more online activity. One thing the Lord has dealt with me about in the physical church is less on the number of people who come through our doors in a given period (unique attenders-more on that another time) but the number of people engaged. Who is bought into the vision and is engaged in what God is doing through your ministry and church? This is the real health of a church or ministry.
However, what about online. When I go to look at my views on a social media platform I can walk away thinking I have reached thousands of people. While there is some element of truth, if you look deeper in those numbers you will see that views can be as little as 3 (YES Three) seconds. In three seconds I struggle to think we accomplished our vision of making an Impact in their life that would create any recognizable transformation.
So leaders and pastors, let me encourage you to look and see of ways for people to be engaged. When I see someone who either has not engaged in a physical service or has held back even in commenting in social media activity, but today they shared a thought, a prayer, or even shared our content on their social media space… I say WIN. We won today in their life. They bought into what God was doing in this ministry. I am grateful for the opportunity to reach thousands and more with our online content. However, the real win for me is engagement. Be careful to not get lost in all the amazing numbers of what your online content is doing, rather ask what shows us when our people are engaging.
Rather than worry about page, video, or service VIEWS, seek out Engagement. That is your win. And just like we say about numbers and people, one soul is worth it. Well in online One new engagement is worth it all!
Be Engaging Online and See the Mission of God grow in you and your ministry.
