Is The Sermon Dead?

Everything changed a few weeks ago. The virus showed up. Most churches had to shut down. We all dove head-first into the digital content age.

I’ve been encouraged by the Church’s response to these new constraints. Constraints force innovation and for the most part, the way the Church has been responding is fantastic. Many churches know how to stream content online. Many understand the basics of social media. Many churches are set up to thrive in this new digital age.

However, now is also the time to rethink your digital content. What worked as a supplement to your weekly church service, might not work as your main source of digital content.

Over the last ten days, I’ve made some observations. I know we’re in the early stages of this experiment. We’ll all get better. So, for now, here are seven things I’ve observed (bonus: see below for a helpful response to this list from my pastor, Todd Wagner, at Watermark Community Church).

1. Most people are talking too long. Teachers like to talk. Teachers with no audience giving them immediate feedback seem to talk longer, not shorter. It’s kind of like leaving a voicemail. Why do you always say more than you need to when leaving a voicemail?

2. Online, if you are boring, the audience will not politely pay attention. Sitting in your church, most adults will try to politely pay attention. Sitting on the couch, they’re brutal. If you bore them, they will immediately pick up their phone, do the dishes, check email, or go back to cleaning out that closet. No one else is there to judge them if they quit paying attention.

3. More people on screen is better. Interviews are more interesting than monologues. This is why most news shows and radio shows have more than one host. Content is more interesting if the audience feels like they are eavesdropping on a conversation rather than watching a monologue.

4. Noon is a busy time of day. Many pastors are “going live” at noon. Beware, that’s a busy time of day.

5. You sitting at your desk talking into your computer is not very interesting. That shot is not visually compelling, and visual interest matters.

6. Not everyone is anxious about the virus. Many families are anxious about being at home with young kids for weeks. Many single adults are anxious about loneliness. Many kids are anxious because their parents are anxious. Everyone is anxious about the economy. Remember, most people are focused on their world, not the world. Your content needs to address what your audience is experiencing.

7. Have content ready for when people are ready. At Watermark, we’re airing live segments four times a day. After a few days, it’s obvious that most people aren’t sitting around all day watching TV. Going live four times a day might be overkill. Remember, we live in an “on demand” world.

So, what can you do to make sure your online content is excellent? Here are seven things to consider:

1. Take your sermon and cut it in half. Resist the urge to say everything.
2. Get loopy. Think about your content in three-to-four-minute loops. You have to keep things moving. Again, these are things TV and Hollywood figured out a long time ago. This is now our reality, too. It’s really hard for people to pay attention to one person talking on a screen that doesn’t change for more than five minutes.

3. Get a co-host. Add someone on screen with you. Making the content a conversation will make your content more interesting.

4. Keep sending great emails. Emails are still an effective way to communicate with your church.

5. Use selfie segments sparingly. Rather than using your phone or laptop to record a segment, use it to make a phone call. The greatest content ever is a personal phone call.

6. Highlight other people in your church. No one is an expert right now. Everyone is winging it. Find out who in your congregation is doing something well, and put them on camera sharing their best practices. You don’t have to be the only content producer.

7. Make it easy. Ensure your content is easy to find for when people are ready to watch.

So, is the sermon dead? I’m not ready to plan a funeral, but my guess is this season is going to have a lasting impact on the way churches deliver content. Remember, we’re married to the message (the gospel), but we date the method of delivery. Don’t be afraid to experiment during this time.

For now, share this list with your team. Pick one or two things, and start experimenting. You’ll find a rhythm soon. These are really great days! The future is bright! Let’s go, Church!

Here is Todd Wagner’s response which encouraged me and I hope models for you how to think about the above:

After two weeks of doing what we believed was best, I think you know as we listen we are making more adjustments. (ie…no 25 minute segment discussing “the moment” before “the main message”, increased awareness that families want to listen together so our audience is younger and broader than is typically true, etc..)

I’d add these thoughts to yours and am praying I model them with you.

• Adapt or die is not just wisdom for the evolutionist.
• The goal is always gospel truth, not just the good ol’ way.
• Don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake or “miss” your audience one week. Also don’t keep playing the same beat if no one is dancing to the music of the Truth you live to give.
• Great leaders eat feedback for breakfast, and great communicators listen to feedback at every meal whether they like the taste or not.
• Keep listening and talking to those who listen to you.

Most of all: Feed people the gospel and the Word of God, and keep doing your best to serve it in the most appetizing way you can.

Thank you, Adam for your thoughts, which will always help me and I am praying help others in similar ways.