A New Frontier of Church Vitality: Church Attendance Tracking & Reporting in the Digital Age
Presenter: The Rev. Matt Holcombe
A generation ago, few could have imagined how technology would impact how we follow Jesus. Nearly every institution and aspect of our society has been altered by technology, including the Church. The internet has allowed the Church’s mission field to be limited only by the imagination and resources of a congregation. As churches have leveraged technology in providing online worship, formation, and connection opportunities, and many have grown their overall participation because of these digital offerings, we recognize the importance of online participation being regarded equally to in-person participation. All people matter and count, especially those who are unable to physically walk through the doors of a brick-and-mortar building. As we, the Church, seek better to understand our reach and impact in the world, we must re-evaluate how we count membership and how we collect data that measures participation, engagement, and commitment, inclusive of not only our in-person worshipers but also our new-found online communities of worshipers. This workshop time will engage our questions as we face this new frontier of church vitality and will be facilitated by the Rev. Matt Holcombe, Rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.