Embracing Digital Discipleship: Supporting Families During the Back-to-School Season

Summer’s end often signifies a whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities for families as they prepare for a new school year. Amid the hustle and bustle of the back-to-school season, church leaders have a golden opportunity to remind families that their church is there to support their spiritual growth, regardless of how busy life becomes. By embracing digital discipleship tools and strategies, churches can connect with their congregation in meaningful ways, fostering a vibrant community even during the most hectic times.

Take Note of The Challenges Families are Facing

Classes will be back in session, but that doesn’t mean families will be ready or eager for the new season. In this hectic period, they’re experiencing a range of challenges that can cause stress and strain family dynamics, including:

• Time Management and Scheduling: Juggling school routines, extracurricular activities, and family commitments can leave little time for spiritual practices and community involvement. Parents may find themselves juggling work responsibilities while trying to ensure their children are prepared and confident for the new academic year.
• Academic Pressures: Students face increased academic demands, which can lead to stress and reduced family time.
• Social and Emotional Adjustments: The transition back to school can bring about social and emotional challenges for both children and parents, making it crucial for families to find support and balance.

Ensure Families Can Count on Your Church

Churches often serve as pillars of the community, offering not only spiritual guidance but also tangible resources and emotional support. From organizing school supply drives to providing counseling services, churches help ease the transition for students and parents alike. By fostering a sense of community and offering practical assistance, your church plays a crucial role in ensuring that families are well-prepared and confident as they embark on a new academic year.

• Emotional and Spiritual Guidance: Churches can offer emotional and spiritual guidance through sermons, counseling, and prayer sessions. We discussed the challenges that families are facing during this hectic period—by addressing those specific concerns, church leaders can provide comfort and reassurance.
• Practical Help and Resources: Your community is filled with experts from various fields who are willing to offer their services. By providing families with practical support, such as tutoring programs, parenting workshops, and stress management resources, you can alleviate some of the pressures families face during this time.
• Safety Comes First: You can alleviate any concerns from parents in your congregation by completing comprehensive background checks on all your staff and volunteers that work with young children. Platforms like SecureSearch—seamlessly integrated with your ChMS—can thoroughly vet individuals, and their Safeguard from Abuse training program will help your team better identify and prevent any potential issues.
• Community Support: Fostering a supportive community where families can share their struggles and triumphs helps build resilience. Encourage your congregants to support one another and find ways to create a strong network of care and encouragement. Fortunately, digital tools can help your church stay connected with families, even when their busy schedules prevent in-person engagement.

Digital Discipleship 101

As the world becomes increasingly digital, churches must adapt to stay relevant and connected with their congregation. Digital discipleship allows churches to reach members who may not be able to attend in-person services regularly due to busy schedules or geographical constraints. This approach leverages technology to provide a myriad of benefits and opportunities for worship, learning, and connection.

• Flexibility and Accessibility: Livestreaming services, online Bible studies, and virtual prayer groups offer flexibility for families. Host virtual events and workshops focused on relevant topics, such as time management, stress reduction, and parenting during the school year. Providing these resources online ensures accessibility for all. They can be accessed anytime and from any location, allowing families to engage with their faith amid their busy schedules.
• Enhanced Community Building: Online platforms facilitate continuous interaction among congregation members. Leverage social media platforms and messaging apps to keep your congregation informed, engaged, and connected. Promote the formation of online small groups where families can connect, share experiences, and support each other. These groups can meet virtually, allowing for flexible participation. Regular updates, inspirational posts, and interactive discussions can also help to maintain a sense of community.
• Continuous Spiritual Growth: Digital discipleship ensures that spiritual growth does not halt when life gets busy. Develop a variety of digital resources, including video sermons, podcasts, and interactive Bible studies, to cater to different interests and schedules. With a wealth of online sermons, podcasts, devotionals, and study guides, families can maintain and deepen their spiritual practices even during the back-to-school season.

C is for Connection

Embracing digital discipleship isn’t just about implementing shiny new tools. It’s about discovering innovative ways to meet people where they are. By employing digital strategies, you not only keep your congregation connected but also fortify the church’s role as an essential source of guidance and strength.

What’s your back-to-school approach? Let us know. We’d love to connect with you and, together, build community, connection, and belonging.