Given that social media is the the new future of media and mass communication, I'm wondering if church services will decline in favor of broadcasts on social media. The content which they broadcast likely won't go out of business, but since it's likely less expensive and able to reach a much wider audience on social media than it is to hold in-person services, I believe it's possible that most successful churches will turn to social media as their main medium for broadcasting their services. (The same with any marketing/"conversion" attempts, it will be easier to mass-market via the internet and social media than in-person). (Much as how TV equivalents such as so-called "televangelists" will likely decline as well unless they are successful on social media). (I'm aware there are some heretics and hellbound who treat "church attendance" or "church membership" as a de-facto requirement for salvation, but who the hell cares about those vipers? Not me, and certainly not God).
Protestant churches are small businesses that depend on their membership for their income. So, how can they convince the crowd to subscribe to their internet programs when most people don't like paywalls?
They'd have to compete with other churches which already broadcast on social media or risk losing audience.
Not to mention it wouldn't have to be behind a "paywall" - they could broadcast to everyone and allow online donations, and I'm sure some people would donate.
If the program is go it would draw a larger audience and become more profitable if people would pay the fee to watch it. Of course there would be those irritating free scams on tv to compete with.
Sounds like an opportunity to make a God-Box to hook up to a device that dispenses wine and wafers with the optional baptism/Christening upgrade. Beyond that, yes, churches must compete in the high tech world just like most businesses. There is probably a equilibrium point just like with traditional news media at which the traditional outlets continue to exist but figure out how to monetize the tech operations. Another thing some churches are having to compete with are ministries that come to people's homes for small gatherings in lieu of traditional come to the pews services. Now beyond all that, churches in my area at least are really struggling with demographics. They fairly well lost an entire generation, going on two, with their holier than thou-ness a generation ago. Some of them continue to double down on the fire and brimstone having old ministers and old congregations who are way out of step with the times. They think having digital signs scrolling fire and brimstone is about as high tech as they need to be to lure in young people. They don't get that their messaging is the problem.
Many churches, big and small, have been using technology as it has developed. Technology can be used for good as well as evil. But, there is more than technology as well. Take our Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two years before the pandemic, the Prophet began a new direction for members. A more home based teaching Church. Families received a new manual called "Come Follow Me." We have had something called "Family Home Evening" for a long time. But, this was really more towards actual teaching and training families in the home. Sunday meetings were scaled back having Sunday School only twice a month as well as the men's and woman's organizations. Youth too. The big questions is WHY? Well, it's time to fish or cut bait when it comes to our personal and individual testimonies and have the family the main unit of the Church. We are getting to the end of days. And, this program was just what the Lord wanted. During the shutdowns, families were able to continue building testimonies. Fathers with the Priesthood could bless the Sacraments at home. And, where there wasn't a Priesthood in the home, some of us would go out, masks on, and bless Sacrament for those people. Eventually, we were able to utilize ZOOM technology to have meetings. Worldwide meetings were on the internet through the Church's website and BYU TV. The work will go forth the best it can until the Lord will come. More shutdowns and we are prepared. The Come Follow Me program was totally revelation from the Lord. As your "Holier than Thou" statement, that's an old outdated statement. We know what that really means. It means, there is no God, no revelation, no commandments and no authority given to man by God to lead us back to Him. Instead, it means if it feels good, do it. There is no moral right or wrong. Only political right and wrong. So, we can have laws that generate anarchy and blood and terror all over. Chicago for instance. The summer of love Portland. You can call a black man the face of white supremacy a is happening in California with Larry Elder. White police officers better not kill a black man, but it's perfectly okay for a black man to kill anyone white. Racism only goes one way with liberal politicians. I could go on and on. But, the fact is, it's the liberal left, the liberal media, liberal politicians that are making laws and norms that are racist and immoral calling them moral. "Wow unto those who call good evil and evil good."
How do you know what God likes? Anyway I'm Greek Orthodox and I just happen to like Byzantine Hymns, but the chanters have to be excellent otherwise they freak me out. To me there is nothing worse than a bad chanter. Since I am so particular, and prefer men chanting to choirs, I watch the services on Youtube from a church on Mount Lycavettus in Athens. The service goes on for hours, as does the chanting and hymns. Anyway, the social medias will never replace the Orthodox, Catholic and some other ancient churches, since the whole purpose of having a liturgy is to partake of the Eucharist.
Personally I hope the 'churches' that operate as a business will go out of business ...and get replaced by actual churches that place the betterment of God's most wonderful (as in full of wonder) creation ahead of tax exempt profits. ...can anyone tell me why is it anyone thinks avoiding political speech from the pulpit in exchange for 501c3 tax exemption would somehow promote 'religious freedom?' There's a reason that church attendance has been steadily dropping over the decades while personal spiritual beliefs have not.
I recall Billy Graham saying that a billionaire offered to cover all the expenses of his ministry so he wouldn't have to ask for money, but he refused. He said that God wants people to give so He can bless them. I also recall Mother Theresa saying that the Knights of Columbus offered to cover all the expenses of her ministry, and she also said that God wants people to give so He can bless them. I also recall Pat Robertson who is an investment broker saying he asked God why he has to ask people for money when he can make hundreds of thousands in investments, and he was told that God wants people to give so He can bless them. Of course the money offered should be for God, whether it's to cover the costs of a ministry and/or to decorate and glorify His temple, and never towards the personal gain of anyone, since it's then detrimental towards their soul. Also when someone gives, they shouldn't want recognition in this world, since that would make it self serving and it would therefore become null and void in heaven.
I don't recall Graham saying such thing. He could have taken the money and use it for missions and charity AND ask people to give to God can bless them.
I belong to a large Catholic church in a high growth area, so YMMV. Most donations now are done monthly via auto-pay, and many people still use the plate in person. During YouTube services, people attended on television but the views were lower than in person but were watched more times. Now that the church is fully open, butts in the pews are at around 75% of before, depending on which mass you go to. YouTube rebroadcasts are still going strong but I’m not aware of us getting data on that. Catholics seem to be more interested in going in person, and I’m hearing that other denominations are pretty much the same way. Back before TV, people belonged to clubs and lodges, fraternal orders, etc. I think church attendance replaces that to some degree.
I remember Billy saying the billionaire lived in Florida. The point is that he wanted to cover all of Billy Grahams expenses so Billy wouldn't have to burden himself by asking for money, when the purpose of giving money was so people could be blessed.
My "Holier than Thou" statement is not an old outdated statement. You cannot through a stick without hitting a church in my city because of all the fighting and feuding that goes on among religious groups that think they are better than everybody else and it is their way or the highway, particularly among the baptists and the apostolics. One cannot lead anybody to God when they wall themselves inside walls that require purity tests to get through the gate.
I wasn't not aware this was an issue because I am an atheist. However, I've attended hundreds church services in various denominations and non-denominational Christian and ALL of them already post their sermons on their website. In the most recent 5-6 years or so, I've never seen a church that didn't offer that.
