Whether you love technology or prefer a pen and paper, our computers and smart phones are not going away any time soon. There is simply no escaping them, and if you're a church communicator, you'll need to embrace things like social media, texting, and smartphones with all of your heart.
There is no way around it––technology is simply a crucial part of today's modern church. Here are some pretty impressive stats to prove it (paired with how you can harness the numbers to your advantage).
1. Who’s on Twitter at Church?
According to the most recent statistics, 23% of pastors use Twitter. Not surprisingly, this percentage increases to 39% when it comes to younger pastors between the ages of 29 to 47. Other statistics regarding the church's use of Twitter include:
- About 1 in 5 churches use Twitter (21%)
- 44% of churches that have an average attendance of more than 250 use Twitter
- 9% of those actively involved in church use Twitter (the same percentage as the general population)
While not as widely used as Facebook, Twitter is a great tool for making church announcements, plus it offers a great platform for two-way interaction. Using Twitter in this way offers members a way to tweet questions to the pastor during a service and have them address those questions either during the service or afterward. The same can be done during a youth group or mini-conference event.
Twitter can also be effective when it comes to sending out Bible reading reminders, tweeting quotes from the sermon, and sharing links to staff blog posts.
2. Social Media Trends
When it comes to social media in general, here are some trends that churches simply cannot ignore:
- Facebook has a whopping 1.79 billion active users throughout the world
- 91% of Millennials use Facebook
- Instagram has 600 million active users
- Twitter has 317 million active users
When it comes to churches specifically, 46.1% of them say that using social media is their most effective method of outreach. Churches that aren't jumping on the social media bandwagon are going to be left in the dust.
Not only does social media provide a way to do outreach to potential new members, it can also help keep existing members stay connected, and provide a place for prayer requests. Most importantly, social media is a great church marketing tool as it might be the first place people become aware of your church.
3. Why Is Texting a Necessity?
- 98% of texts are opened and read within 15 minutes of receiving them
- It takes 90 seconds to respond to a text, versus 90 minutes by e-mail
- 7 out of 10 churchgoers use text messaging
These statistics prove that texting is a great way for churches to get the word out quickly, especially when services or other church events are canceled. It's also perfect for church communicators who need an immediate response or an RSVP to an invitation or to a meeting or church event.
If you're using a ChMS that allows you to communicate with volunteers via text or email, always prioritize text. Your members will see it faster according to the stats above.
4. How Many People Read the Church Newsletter on Their Phone?
- 95% of Americans have a cell phone of some kind
- For 77% of Americans, that cell phone is a smartphone
- In 2014, 91% of smartphone owners used it to access e-mail
Here at Ekklesia 360, we regularly see between 45-60% of our newsletters and emails opened on a phone. It's probably even higher for your on-the-go congregation.
This means you'll need to make your newsletter have a responsive design that's mobile-friendly (or maybe even mobile-first). If you want your readers to see your communication as intended, it's essential to keep their device in mind from the start!
5. How Many Seniors Use Cellphones?
- 97% of U.S. adults between the ages of 50 and 64 own a cellphone
- 80% of U.S. adults over the age of 65 own a cellphone
These stats prove that cellphones are no longer just for the younger, more tech-savvy crowd. This means using a cellphone is a very effective way to communicate with the older generation. Chances are, they are pretty good at texting too!
Like we mentioned above, don't shy away from using text messaging as a clear option for receiving church communication. More of your members than you think will be able to easily see and understand your texts.
On the flip side, be sure there's still an email option and a simple announcement in services so you capture the 20% over the age of 65 who might not be using a cell phone.
6. How Many People Use Cellphones at Church?
- In 2014, only 4% of U.S. adults thought it was okay to use their phones in church
- 19% of Americans admit they use their phone in church
These numbers don't necessarily indicate why people are using their phone while at church. It could be that they are texting a friend in order to arrange a lunch date after service. It could be because they're bored and are looking at their Facebook page.
But hopefully (as indicated by the next stat) most people using their cellphone in church are using it to read their Bible. It's great to know these numbers simply because they help us know our audience better.
They also tell us it's still important to ask for cell phones to be silenced at the beginning of services ;)
7. Who Carries Their Bible on Their Phone?
- In 2013 alone, the Bible app was downloaded onto over 100 million devices
- A survey of the digital Bible-reading community states that 77% of respondents say they read their digital Bible on a frequent basis
- 60% of the respondents use their Bible app while in church
So the next time a churchgoer pulls out their phone in church, please don't judge them! They are most likely reading their Bible—probably even because you told them to look up a passage.
8. Email Open Rates by Industry
- Business and Finance - 21.36%
- Government - 26.26%
- Health and Fitness - 22.47%
- Non-profit - 25.25%
- Religion - 26.36%
- Sports - 25.95%
Church communicators should take note that the non-profit and religion industries get a pretty high percentage of open rates on their emails. So sending out that e-mail is still important!
You can expect an average of over 26% of your mailing list opens your email messages at least. This means you can't slack in the newsletter and announcement department!
