Recently, Pew Research released a report on U.S. Smartphone use in 2015. In this wide ranging report, some key statistics stood out in regards to not only how many Americans own a smartphone, but also how they are using their smartphones.
The report found that 64% of American adults now own a smartphone of some kind. With this, they also found that over half of these smartphone owners have used their phone to get health information and do online banking. But, as you will see in the graphic, here’s what else they used it for:
Furthermore, the study also found that a majority of these smartphone owners also use their phone to follow along with news events near and far, and to share details of local happenings with others:
- 68% of smartphone owners use their phone at least occasionally to follow along with breaking news events, with 33% saying that they do this “frequently.”
- 67% use their phone to share pictures, videos, or commentary about events happening in their community, with 35% doing so frequently.
- 56% use their phone at least occasionally to learn about community events or activities, with 18% doing this “frequently.”
As you can see, increasingly the smartphone is becoming the social hub for this digital culture we find ourselves in. With this, one question… where is the church in all of this?
Why not position ourselves right in the middle of this digital culture by being accessible, relevant, real-time, and mobile with our message? With this, a great opportunity stands before us to not only seek to tap this social hub for the digital culture, but why not BE that social hub that helps shape the digital culture?
To further this thought, here are 3 reasons your church should be thinking mobile app:
1. Discipleship Between Sunday Sermons
With over 40 Bible version and journaling capabilities on our app, imagine the discipleship potential in between Sunday sermons? What better way to tell your church, what happens in church… shouldn’t stay in church. What better way to communicate with church goers than a mobile app to help disciple them throughout the week with Bible study and journaling?
2. Mobilize Ministry in Real-Time
How about through the power of push notifications the ability to mobilize prayer for immediate needs.. in real time? Just last week, I received an Amber Alert message on my iPhone along with everyone else around me. Talk about mobilizing the calvary in real-time. What if the same applied for churches? What if we used push notification the same way? …to mobilize prayer and ministry in real-time.
Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg with regards to the possibilities with push notifications. Imagine pushing questions, Bible verses and the like come Monday that you taught on last Sunday. If retention, application, transformation, and multiplication is the aim of each Sunday message, here’s your tool to help enable this.
3. Meeting People.. Where They’re At
Of course, the final reason (at least for this article as there are so many more reasons) is the ability to meet people where they’re at. And, as you can see from the data shared earlier from the recent Pew report, there is an extremely good chance that by incorporating a mobile app strategy into your church ministry, that in doing so, you too will be meeting your people… where they’re at.
With a uniquely branded app for your church, all of this is available for you. It’s like an all-inclusive resort which pulls together all of your branded communities under one roof.
But, to become that social hub that helps shape this digital culture, remember the last point we made… meeting people where they’re at. It’s not enough to create an app, stream your services, link your social media, and push event notifications expecting people to meet you where you’re at…
It’s about using the app to create an experience for users to better their walk with God. To interact with God’s word. To journal God’s voice as He speaks to His children. To mobilize His church in real-time for real-time ministry needs and prayer.
Plus, remember all the data we shared earlier regarding usage on smartphones? What better place to be than right in the thick of life as people seek answers for the things that concern them most? What better way to help your church goers navigate life where they’re at… by being.. right where they’re at?
If we have the tools to reach the world, let’s use them. Better yet, how about we use them.. together!
God bless you in all that you do!