Let’s face the church here in the U.K has always been lacking behind, compared to other countries. I dare say not just in technology terms as well but in other areas as well. The modern church has a bad reputation for aversion to the “new,” especially when it comes to new forms of communication. Even at the inception of the printing press, church authorities banned the Bible from being printed in any language other than Latin!

Now we have so moved forward from stone tablets to Apple & Android tablets and everything in between, the church has, historically, lagged behind the rest of the world in accepting and innovating new communication mediums. Bear in mind I am one of those who believes that technology complements, enhances but doesn’t replace the bible at all. There is nothing like opening up your bible searching the Word, marking it taking notes and digging deeper into the living Word of God.

The good news is things are beginning to change and for the better. Before I go any further I would like to let you know that I have a webinar answering this exact question that goes deeper into explaining further benefits of a church mobile app.

Register now on “Why Your Church Needs A Mobile App” webinar.

So, I will attempt to explain briefly the key benefits and why your church needs a mobile app. Here we go…finer points.

OUTREACH | MINISTRY | RELEVANCE | ENGAGEMENT

Outreach

Used correctly church mobile apps will help significantly in all your outreach efforts. Your app can help in collecting data such as names, email, phone numbers all from within the app as your church is out on outreach. You can then have those details entered into your outreach program and follow through with them via email, direct push notifications to remind them of church times and other meetings.

Like the printing press revolutionised communication in the Middle Ages, mobile technology has transformed the way people find information. Mobile usage has officially surpassed desktop and is continuing to climb in prominence. The message of the Church hasn’t changed, but the method has.

Ministry

Church mobile app will also help promote the ministry/churches cause more on a personal level. Apps account for 89% of mobile media time, and 88% spend more time on our smartphones than we do sleeping – staggering stats from OFCOM.

It’s therefore wise to have a church app that will deliver events reminders, audio & video sermons, discipleship or life group reminders via push notifications into the palm of people’s hands. Being able to plant the Word of God into people’s hearts in a consistent way is a sure way to spiritual growth and mature disciples of Jesus Christ.

Relevance

According to Forbes, “87% of connected devices sales by 2017 will be tablets and smartphones.”

Think about this 96% of church members are internet users and own a smartphone!

As mobile search and browsing have taken over desktop computers since 2014 and there are no signs of slowing down at all. Therefore, for many their smartphone has become a basic necessity that is part of their day to day life. A church mobile app should not, therefore, be another tech in the church that doesn’t get utilised well but an integrated mobile strategy for the church that aims at more engagement and spiritual growth into the palms of people’s  hand during the week and Sundays.

Being a relevant church within your community, town, the city is key for the growth and impact desired and a church mobile app will certainly help. Open the doors of your church with a church mobile app strategy and reach out to people even when they are on holiday; be a relevant church.

Engagement

The average person checks his or her phone 150 times a day. That’s once every 6.5 minutes!

Outside of church, people are always on their smartphones, increase the engagement of church past Sundays into the week through a church mobile app. There are several engagement features that come with our church app prayer wall, social media integrations, podcast, sermon player, church events, monthly/weekly, quick contact, receive regular news and updates via push notifications.

The mobile revolution has begun and smart churches are noticing the trend and are beginning to implement the technology their members use every day into their church systems. These churches that do are seeing some amazing results.

Your church needs a mobile app because:

The Gospel Message hasn’t changed, But the Method has.

The post Why Your Church Needs A Mobile App? appeared first on ChurchApps UK.

However, there is a good news, a mobile app may not cost as much as you think. In fact, many of our church partners have told us their app has actually helped them reduce costs in many other areas. The technology of app development has come a long away from hiring a developer to building your app at thousands of pounds to now hiring an agency like us for development via our app platform. The savings are huge and benefits of having a church mobile app are even more.

A mobile app can cut print costs in half.

Printing bulletins for each service every Sunday is not only costing churches money but time and manpower. Anyone who cleans up after a service can tell you that most of those bulletins are either getting left behind or tossed in the recycling bin right after the closing prayer. But, consider this: by encouraging attendees to access the bulletin via their mobile app, churches can print fewer bulletins, saving time, money and the environment.

Apps make it easier to give.

Today, churchgoers don’t always carry cheques or cash. Our church apps make it easy for the members and guests to give via their smartphones with just a few taps. Multiple studies have shown that online giving options have higher per-capita offerings and more consistent week-to-week giving.

Investment vs. Impact.

When it comes to church budgets, stewardship is key we know that right! So a church mobile app is a great investment because it impacts so many different areas of the church. When compared to many common church technologies or communications methods, an app offers a lot more for a lot less.

Low development cost.

To have your church app developed by churchapps.uk won’t cost you the bank, and be sure also of the level of service you will get is nothing short of professional with a gospel mindset. Our prices start from as low as £25.00 for our start-up church app to £35 for our pro church app. You can learn more about the pricing structures and packages here. We also provide help with the marketing strategy of your church app and provide webinars that enhance your understanding of how to use the app for your specific goals.

I hope that this article has been helpful to you as you seek to understand mobile app place in the church. Building your knowledge about communication trends and available technologies is the first step toward creating a more connected congregation.

We believe that best technology enhances—not replaces—the sense of community and personal interaction in a church. It’s all about finding new ways to connect, engage and inspire.

The post Church Mobile Apps – Don’t cost as much as you think! appeared first on ChurchApps UK.

A push message/notification is a message that an app owner sends to all app users who have opted in to receive messages. The messages are usually short and go straight to the front of users’ screens.

Engaging with Newcomers via Push Notifications:

Engagement at church isn’t just about keeping your congregation entertained. It’s about nurturing them to go from weekly churchgoer to a fully devoted disciple. Give them opportunities to do more by keeping them updated through push communications.

Scheduled Newcomers Push notifications that go out during the week, directing them to a “Thank you video from lead pastor” within the app, then encouraging them to join a local life group.

Updating Church Members via Push Notifications:

Reduce low attendance by updating church members on events, services and classes during the week.

Low participation in your small groups and programs? It may not be that members aren’t interested. People are natural procrastinators—remind them what’s going on and give them a tool to take action.

Growing Deeper Disciples via Push Notifications:

Eighty percent of churchgoers show up on Sunday and have no other interaction with their church during the week. Bring them closer to God throughout the week through inspirational messages and opportunities for deeper involvement to nurture them whether they’re in church or not.

Enable deeper discipleship via daily devotions, discipleship program that promotes learning and ongoing participation throughout the week.

Better Church Leadership with Push Segmentation:

Church Apps UK enables you to have an exclusive church leaders area where you can communicate with your leadership team, share ideas and get quick answers don’t wait till Sunday or Bible studies.

Enhance Generosity through Push Notifications:

Keep your messages and requests for donations at the forefront of congregants’ minds by reaching them on the device that’s rarely further than an arm’s length away. By incorporating calls to action, you can drive them directly into your app for increased fundraising.

Sometimes getting someone to agree to give their time just takes asking. Use the app to put the request straight in their hands!

Amplify Events/Seminars/Conferences:

Above all, push notification from Church Apps UK is an effective communication tool. Let it do just that, keeping your congregation informed and up-to-date.

Reducing low turnouts to church events through strategic reminders of what’s going on and giving them a tool to take action.

Better Social Media via Push Notifications:

Increase activity attendance by sharing the fun things you have planned for your church members.

Members may not realize all that your app has to offer. Make them aware by sending messages about new content and urging them to share with friends.

Push notifications aren’t meant to be abused and blasting out to all your app users. This can lead to your app being deleted and people get irrelevant messages that run to be a nuisance rather than informative, helpful and encouraging. Push notifications therefore if used properly, they are a highly effective tool for communicating with and engaging your congregants and app users.

The post 7 Key Benefits of a Church Mobile App via Push Notifications appeared first on ChurchApps UK.