Originally posted 09-03-2009. Reposted 10-06-2010.
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Online Small Groups Part 3
In my opinion, the debate about whether or not online groups work is over conclusively. The question now is “How can we incorporate online groups into our church’s regular small group strategy?” At LifeChurch.tv online groups were part of our strategy, but this isn’t the case in most churches. Below are some of the steps you can take to fully integrate online groups into your small group strategy this fall.
- As the ministry leader, start an online group of your own. By doing this you’ll learn how to navigate the joys and the challenges that your future online group leaders will experience.
- Think of online groups like every other group. Don’t allow yourself to think that online groups are something different, separate, or less-than groups that meet in physical locations.
- Add “online group” as a location or group type category in your small group database (see image 1 below).
- Market online groups to the congregation. Specifically target groups like business people and stay-at-home-moms. The convenience of online groups is especially relevant for them. (see image 2 below for a sample bulletin announcement)
- Give away a few webcams and headsets to the first few online groups that start.
- Use an “online small group tip sheet”. Create your own or you can download the one on my free resources page. View my online group tip sheet by clicking here (.pdf reader required).
There are countless ways to take advantage of online technology in your group ministry all it takes is some out-of-the-box thinking and the guts to try something new. If you’ve got any ideas for integrating online groups into a small group ministry that I’ve not shared here, by all means leave a comment and help everyone out!
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Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for my final thoughts on this week’s series about online groups!
Got some great online group resource links from John Oliver at http://learningonlineministry.org/. These are some possible options for online groups other than Adobe Connect Now and Tokbox.
http://www.dimdim.com/products/dimdim_editions_free.html
http://learnhub.com/about/for-educators
http://www.wiziq.com/Virtual_Classroom.aspx
Thanks for the tips John!!!