5 Strategic Adjustments that Will Pay Off LONG After COVID-19

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I get a lot of questions. A LOT of questions.

Sometimes they are asked in the comments of an article here on the blog. Or on one of my Facebook pages. Other times they come in by email. And sometimes they're asked during a workshop or seminar.

I was asked a good one yesterday and thought I'd answer it here.

Yesterday's question was, "I saw your post about what used to work, but I'm wondering if anyone has found something that is currently working (as in during COVID-19 weirdness)?"

Here's the essence of my answer: "There are several things that are working for us. Starting online groups using a form of a life group connection and developing and coaching leaders via Zoom meetings are two that quickly come to mind."

After I thought about it, I began to see that what has really happened is we've made some strategic adjustments that will continue to pay off long after COVID-19.

Strategic Adjustments that Will Pay Off After COVID-19

1. Take advantage of the convenience and flexibility of online meetings.

A lot has been said and written about Zoom fatigue but the larger truth is that more can happen when we take advantage of a technology that makes gathering more convenient and flexible.

A lot has been said and written about Zoom fatigue but the larger truth is that more can happen when we take advantage of a technology that makes gathering more convenient and flexible. Click To Tweet

If you're looking for ways to help tougher affinities connect (think parents of preschoolers, single parents with young children, busy parents with two jobs raising kids with crazy calendars, etc.) a Zoom gathering offers a convenient way to gather without the drive-time or need for a sitter.

If your coaches are finding it difficult to actually gather their leader huddles, why not teach them how to gather their huddle online?

Looking for a way to pull new leaders into just-in-time training or coaching? Schedule an online meeting.

2. Design meetings and gatherings that can still be effective with fewer attendees.

Regardless of the size of your church, there will always be essential meetings and gatherings that need to happen whether there is "critical mass" or not.

Regardless of the size of your church, there will always be essential meetings and gatherings that need to happen whether there is critical mass or not. Click To Tweet

For example, we've learned that Together Online (our online version of a Life Group Connection) can work whether there are 50+ attendees or 5. If there are more than 10 we can use the Breakout Room feature. If there are less than 10 we can start one group.

3. Provide connecting opportunities that meet the real hopes and expectations of unconnected people.

Unconnected people don't lay awake wishing they could meet lots of people. They're not dreaming of a full calendar of get togethers and dinner dates.

In most cases the real hopes and expectations of unconnected people are much smaller and simpler.

Unconnected people don't lay awake wishing they could meet lots of people. They're not dreaming of a full calendar of get togethers and dinner dates. In most cases the real hopes and expectations of unconnected people are much smaller… Click To Tweet

That's why smaller connecting opportunities can work well (and quickly subdividing into groups of 4 in larger gatherings is necessary).

Focus on the art of introduction and quickly help a hello develop into a conversation.

4. Require your team (staff and volunteers) to be connectors.

Both Malcolm Gladwell and Seth Godin identified a type of person we need to be on the lookout for and recruit to our teams. Both authors called this type of person a connector.

The Connector, according to Gladwell, is a person who is able to make connections between what seem to be very different and disparate people and ideas. They are the ones who seem to know everyone, and are always trying to connect people and their ideas.

Whether you're lining up volunteers for your Life Group Connection or table hosts for your Next Steps experience, set a high standard for who you select. Only connectors will be able to truly maximize the experience of attendees.

5. Leverage the power of personalization.

Many churches determined to call through their membership (or at least part of it) in the first few weeks of quarantine. In almost every case the phone call was welcomed.

What should be learned from this experience? People are accustomed to, but not happy about, being treated as a name on a list. The truth is everyone longs to be seen and known.

People are accustomed to, but not happy about, being treated as a name on a list. The truth is everyone longs to be seen and known. Click To Tweet

A key strategic adjustment going forward will be to leverage the power of personalization in connecting unconnected people.

I'm not suggesting reinstating the practice of dropping by the home of a first time attendee on Tuesday night between 7 and 8. But I am recommending exploring versions of that practice.

Example: The Crossing, a church in Las Vegas, began delivering a delicious cookie from a popular bakery in town to the home of people who RSVPd for their Digital Lounge (what they call their online guest central/next steps experience).

Personalization can happen in a number of ways. At a minimum it means personalizing your reply email to an information request or following up with a phone call.

It can mean personalizing your chat response to an individual who texts WHATSNEXT to 94090.

It can mean messaging someone who is obviously new to your Facebook Live Watch Party or Livestream.

Conclusion

This is a short list of strategic adjustments that will pay off after COVID-19. This is not a complete list. And there's no question we are still learning and experimenting and learning some more.