So you’re convinced – your team should start to develop a digital strategy. What are the first steps?
Be realistic about today
Not every country has the majority of the population connected to the internet. Even where the vast majority of the population is connected, digital tools will never be the only answer. Offline strategies will still be needed.
Be ready for the future
Even if your region has a relatively low level of internet connectivity, get ready now for the inevitable climb in internet use. Get your tools and strategies ready now so you are ready for what is sure to come.
Remember what you know
Just as having content in audio format doesn’t mean it’s a good example of using orality, just having an app or website doesn’t mean you are doing effective digital ministry. As you think about digital strategies, remember all you know about communication and learning styles in your host culture. Use orality in most cases – if you are making a website, make sure that people who cannot read will not feel shut out. If you are making Facebook ads, put the text in the ad, but make sure the ad itself is a video with appropriate images and a mother tongue speaker conveying the text to everyone, both those who can read and those who can’t or prefer not to. If you are working in a culture that values literacy but prefers non-Roman script, honor their preferences by including as much as you can of those ways of communicating.
Different groups different tools/different content
Not everyone is at the same place in their journey of discovering who Jesus is. Certainly make sure there is a Bible app in the language you are working in for people who want to read the Bible. But also make sure there are apps that introduce the Bible in ways that will attract new readers to God’s Word. Apps will attract when they pair content or a function people need and want. A calendar app, a 99 names of God app or other content depending on your context can introduce people to the Bible who would not otherwise read it.
Benefit from others
Other organizations like SIL and Pi are pioneering tools and strategies that we can learn from. Contact your local partner teams to see what they are up to. Partner with the Bible translating agency for your language if they don’t already have a Bible app with menus in the language. Use Scripture App Builder for all it is worth, and if you have an idea for an app that goes beyond SAB, connect with programmers in your networks.
Start somewhere and grow
Honestly, looking at all the tools, it can seem overwhelming to think in terms of a well thought out overall strategy your team will pursue. That’s OK. As in many areas, a sense of adventure and a willingness to work incrementally and adjust on the fly will help. Yes, work towards an integrated strategy where you are thinking end to end. But the desire to do it perfectly before you do it at all is the death knell for doing anything in digital as in anything (think language learning).
If your team has good content in audio form already, start with an app that helps get that out to a new audience. Start a Facebook page and a small website for it, and run a couple of low-cost ads. Once you do that, you will probably have some clear ideas develop about what to do next.
Wrapping up
Looking at all that is possible is overwhelming. Take a first step that works with your team’s capabilities and your audience needs, and start your digital journey. Contact us for more information and a conversation partner as you think things through.
