It is likely you are looking for new ways to keep people active and engaged within your congregation, you could use a dedicated app for this purpose. Churches of all sizes have deployed apps for their congregants. If you have a larger congregation or you are located in a region with a thriving tech sector, a member of your flock might be willing to donate time and expertise to build your church app. Even if this isn’t an option, you can probably find a software developer who is willing to develop an app for reasonable fees.

Chances are, many if not most of the people in your church have mobile Internet access. Indeed, the use of handheld Internet devices is one thing that brings together parishioners of all ages. If you are a pastor or a deacon, it is possible that you have been frustrated to see people fiddling with their phones during sermons. Because you cannot turn back the clock on technology, your best option is to use technology for the furtherance of your organizational goals.

Dedicated apps for churches have a variety of beneficial uses. First and foremost, you can use these apps to keep your flock connected. For a church to thrive in these secular times, its members need to stick together. Without rejecting the world or isolating, church folk need to have healthy social bonds and support each other. Ideally, each congregation will operate as a kind of extended church family. When church members stick together, this increases the chances that families will stick with your church through multiple generations. Through a social-oriented app, congregants can stay connected without facing the secular messaging that can be so prevalent on traditional social media.

Though important, social engagement is just one of many features that a church-oriented app can incorporate. When you use your imagination, the possibilities for app development are almost endless. Some churches have released apps that provide people with daily scriptures or short messages from their pastors. To help churches raise funds for the betterment of all, many of these apps provide in-app tithing functionality. If it was simpler and easier to donate, it is possible that more people would donate to churches and nonprofits. With more tithed funds available, your church can spearhead more charitable projects in your community. Supposing you want to see your congregation earn a positive local reputation, you’ll do everything you can to ease charitable giving.

To keep your church software a useful tool and an asset, make sure that you keep your software bug-free and up to date. Without updates, even the most sensational app can gradually lose value. Too many churches devote great attention to their websites and fail to exploit the possibilities inherent in app development. With each passing year, mobile apps become more important for cultural institutions. Instead of being defensive and viewing technology with suspicion, thoughtful pastors use technology to further their spiritual missions. Many pastors have already proven that mobile apps are great for engaging with people and helping them build better lives.