The digital age has brought about a significant shift in how churches operate, particularly in the realm of digital and communications ministry. The Unstuck Church Report Q2 2023, authored by Tony Morgan, founder of the , provides valuable insights into how churches are staffing these critical areas. This article explores some of the key findings from the report that are specifically relevant to digital and communications ministry fronts.
Staffing Allocation In Churches For Digital & Comms
The report reveals that a typical church of 2,000 people will have 26 full-time equivalent employees, with an allocation of two staff positions to the Digital & Communications ministry (Page 5). This ministry encompasses roles related to the web, social media, and communications. Interestingly, the investment in staffing resources for digital and communications roles is consistent across churches of all sizes.
The Role Of Digital & Communications In Churches
The digital and communications roles in churches have become increasingly crucial in the modern era. The report suggests that online engagement is part of the “front door” strategy that helps churches connect with new people (Page 5). This indicates the growing importance of digital platforms and communication strategies in reaching out to and engaging with the congregation and the broader community.
Outsourcing Is Common By Churches
The report also highlights that about one-third of churches outsource functions associated with communications, including web, social media, communications, database, and other related functions (Page 8). Larger churches are three times more likely to outsource some communications functions. This suggests that churches are recognizing the value of leveraging external expertise to enhance their digital and communications capabilities.
The Future Of Digital & Communications Staffing In Churches
While the current investment in digital and communications roles is consistent across churches of all sizes, it will be interesting to see if this investment shifts over time. As churches continue to recognize the importance of online engagement as part of their outreach strategy, we may see an increase in the allocation of resources to these roles.
In conclusion, the Unstuck Church Report Q2 2023 provides valuable insights into how churches are adapting to the digital age, particularly in terms of staffing for digital and communications roles. As churches continue to navigate this digital era, these roles will undoubtedly continue to evolve and grow in importance.
This article is based on insights from The Unstuck Church Report Q2 2023 by Tony Morgan. In the Q2 2023 report, data was collected over a four-week period from April 10 to May 5, 2023, exclusively from churches that participated during this timeframe. The survey garnered responses from 337 churches, with congregation sizes varying from under 100 to over 10,000 attendees for worship gatherings. The average physical attendance for the participating churches stood at 820 individuals. The full report provides a comprehensive overview of staffing trends in churches, with a particular focus on digital and communications roles.
