Ready to look ahead to 2021? 

Us too. 

Below are 5/10 of the practices we’re encouraging our friends and followers to lean into in 2021 and beyond. 

2020 has been… something. But it’s time to move forward.

Click here for the video version of this post!

• Develop a Social Media Strategy (and adjust it regularly)

If 2020 has taught us digital evangelists anything, it’s the absolute importance of BEING CHURCH ONLINE. 

While some of you may have been comfortable in the digital world well before 2020, others may have gone from the frying pan into the fire in a hurry.

Even if things go “back to normal” with in-person worship, plan to continue your online strategy with intentionality and purpose.

“How?” you ask.

Start with firming up a strategy for your digital presence with a team, defining:

• where you will post
• who you will target
• which staff or volunteers will do the posting
• how often you will post

You can even consider purchasing a tool to help with scheduling and analytics evaluation. It’s not a bad thing to accept help – promise!

Next, evaluate what’s working and what’s not.

Make short and long range S.M.A.R.T. goals based off of what you are doing well and measure them quarterly. S.M.A.R.T. goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bound. Google it.

Remember, “what gets measured, gets managed.”

For example, a S.M.A.R.T. social media goal could be:

• Increase your YouTube subscribers by 100% by the end of 2021
• Engage in 3 conversations online with non-members who are engaging our content each week
• Record and post at least one “behind-the-scenes” video each month

Measuring this quarterly will allow you to monitor and adjust the plan accordingly.

• Stay on Brand (or create one!)

Make an intentional effort to coordinate your brand across multiple platforms and mediums.

These could include your newsletter, weekly bulletin, weekly email blast, Social Media cover pages and website.

If you have multiple ministries and leaders, consider creating a “brand kit” that details the technical details of the acceptable color palette, font names and sizes, logo, and imagery.

This will serve to maintain a consistent, familiar look for all communication your church produces.

And hey – 2021 may be the perfect time to shake off 2020 and put an entirely new brand refresh on the agenda!

Keep in mind, as important as color palettes and imagery to your brand recognition, your mission is equally important to identify your brand.

Clarify what your faith community is known for and be sure to use that messaging and mission statement when you communicate. 

• Pursue Anti-Racism

Speaking out against racism and pursuing your own anti-racism should be embraced and promoted continuously, and not just considered a trend for 2021.

In fact, being anti-racist as a Church is a practice we need to actively model at all times. It is a Christ-centered attribute we are called to as we collectively pursue justice and mercy.

This is not a political issue. 

This is not a partisan issue. 

It’s okay to say it… you should say it:

Racism is bad.

If this is a new area for your faith community, here is a great Anti-Racist guide to help you dive deeper into the core issues, action steps, and how to hold thoughtful and sensitive conversations around this topic. 

Incorporating discussions or offering sermon or Bible study topics around social justice issues could become a consistent part of your mission.

Over time, this will have a positive influence in your community and beyond, all in the name of Christ’s love for all people.

• Instagram Reels

Instagram is “where the people are.” And year after year, usage continues to increase. 

You know the old saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words”.

Well, Instagram has quickly transformed from more than just a photo sharing site. At this point, you can post videos, long-form videos, shorter more temporary “stories,” and much more.

In 2020, Instagram introduced Reels, essentially their answer to the virally popular TikTok app.

(By the way, check out our TikTok 101 for Churches blog post for some ideas on how to use TikTok as a church.)

Reels now allows Instagram users to craft fun videos (up to 30 seconds) with music, audio, and all the creative tools of TikTok.

The engagement and reach being reported by Reels content creators is exploding.

The combination of video content, TikTok-like virality, and an already thriving Instagram platform is a winning combination that would be a great investment of time to learn, especially if your target audience is using Instagram. 

As an added bonus, all the work you put into creating Reels will stay around because unlike Stories, Reels are a permanent part of your Instagram content.

Low on time to work on this?

You may want to consider blocking time to create a series of Reels at one time and release them on a consistent basis. 

• Model Radical Rest

While we may have been home bound and quarantining for a good portion of 2020, that doesn’t necessarily mean that our minds, hearts, or spirits got the same amount of rest that our bodies did.

Quite the contrary. 

According to the CDC, mental health challenges have increased from this same time last year. 

Fear, worry, and uncertainty about our health, our economy, and our future are very heavy feelings that are taking a toll on all of us, including our church leaders!

Not only are they dealing with their members’ concerns but their own as well.

Now is a good time for church leaders to model radical rest.

This includes church staff, volunteers, digital ministers, technology folks, and anyone in your faith community who is going above and beyond to help keep online relationships nurtured and intact until we can once again meet in person. 

There are a variety of techniques offered by experts to combat the stress and fear while coping with COVID-times.

Meditation, regular exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, avoiding excessive alcohol use are just a few options to take care of your body as well as your mind.

Social media “distancing” is also a good idea to limit your exposure to repetitive, despairing reports about the pandemic that could increase your stress level.

Take a break. 

Take a walk. 

Get outside in nature.

Find a new author to read or a new hobby to explore.

Take care of yourself first, so you can take care of your community!

Want 5 more trends to lean into in 2021?

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Don’t forget, digifriends…

We brought the knowledge, but now it’s your turn to put it into action!