This video features a conference call with LCN leadership and Local Center leaders about how churches are responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
As churches have transitioned online, we have been bombarded with inflated statistics on how many people are viewing and interacting with said content. It is easy to become distracted by and misinformed about these numbers. In this call, we share some insights and tips on how you and your staff can more precisely and accurately measure your impact and effectiveness.
Special thanks to Kevin Dunlap of West Ridge Church in Dallas, GA, Matt Keith of Journey Church in Raleigh, NC, and Donnie Williams of Lifepointe Church in Raleigh, NC for sharing how their respective churches are tackling this issue. Remember that what a church measures and tracks reveal its motives, its priorities and ultimately what it believes about Jesus.
A few key points include:
- Avoid a false sense of effectiveness. Be realistic in what the numbers actually mean.
- Dig into the numbers. It can be a cumbersome process but the better grasp you have on what the numbers are and more importantly, what they mean will help your ministry be more effective.
- Keep in mind that platforms like Facebook and YouTube count any view of 3 seconds or higher as a view. Examine other metrics like length of view time and what portion they are viewing to gather more data. You and your staff will need to determine what multipliers you will need to use to turn that data into tangible, applicable numbers.
- Continue to monitor these numbers. This is not just a one-time data pull.
- Be very careful not to overinflate your numbers. Be effective and conservative in calculating your numbers so that you can honestly and effectively evaluate your progress and minister to your people.
- Remember that viewership and church engagement are two different things.