Engaging Your Youth Ministry With Digital Signage

Churches across the United States are struggling to attract and retain young people. Presently, only 10% of young adults nurtured in the church become vibrant churchgoers in their twenties. In fact, 63% of youths who drop out of church cite the student ministry. As such, church leaders must evaluate the effectiveness of their youth ministries to keep young people in the church.

Already many churches use digital signage to enhance communications with congregations and spread religious messages to the community. Additionally, you can deploy the technology to cater to the unique needs of the youths, making them feel connected to the Christian culture and improving their participation.

Digital Signage for the Youth Ministry

Digital signage for churches describes the use of LCD and LED displays to broadcast essential messages. Here are nine ways to use digital displays to invigorate the youth ministry.

1. Modernize Your Building

A young person’s first impression of your religious building can make them interested in your programs or turn them away. Specifically, paper flyers on cluttered bulletin boards and static signs make your facility look analog and slow to change.

In contrast, sleek displays in different parts of your church paint you as forward-thinking, modern, and innovative. Young people are naturally drawn to screens since they spend much time browsing phones, tablets, and computers. Ultimately, digital signage gives you an edge over other worship avenues in attracting younger generations.

2. Create Experience-Based Worship

Traditionally, youth pastors orated to the congregation, reading sermons and rarely engaging the audience. Except, young people quickly get bored during traditional services and need dynamic forms of media to pay attention.

Digital signs enhance the worship experience by sharing slides, images, and graphics during the service. Song lyrics are particularly great content because they let young people sing along and have fun. If the youth music team has its own music, add the songs to the playlist to share the excitement with the rest of the group. Additionally, display prayers and bible verses to retain the attention of the youth during services.

3. Promote Youth Programs

Today’s youth want to do more than sit and listen. Your youth ministry must have various programs that allow younger Christians to connect and grow spiritually. Such programs include bible study, picnics, retreats, Sunday school, bowling, or tutoring programs.

However, the younger congregation can only partake in activities if they access timely and relevant information. For a long time, churches relied on paper flyers to inform the youth of upcoming events. But, younger people are more likely to ignore static signs since they are used to screens. Instead, you need more dynamic ways to reach out to the youth.

Digital signs instantly grab attention, and you can deploy lively animations to broadcast youth programs and relevant information like the date and contact person. What’s more, your digital signage software can integrate with the church calendar and eliminate the need for manual updates. Further, schedule changes occur in real-time on the screens to keep everyone updated.

4. Embrace Storytelling

Younger people love stories, which is why they consume social media videos. Your church gradually alienates younger members if the youth ministry leader relies on written passages to share God’s word.

Luckily, digital signage can help you leverage the power of storytelling to engage the youth. To this end, you need a content management system with content apps like YouTube, RSS feeds, and current news. These apps allow you to show documentaries, testimonials, and bible narrations that reinforce sermons and inspire members to discipleship. Moreover, you can encourage the students to create their own videos and stream them on digital signs.  

5. Shared Educations Resources Through Digital Kiosks

Naturally, high school students and young adults are curious and constantly desire new information. Often, younger church members shy away from asking religious questions for fear of judgment from mentors and older congregators. So, you need discreet ways to deliver educational resources to younger people.

An interactive kiosk is a perfect solution, as it lets youths browse information independently. You can include answers to common questions, like how to grow one’s faith, what to do when you question your faith, and what makes someone a Christian. Use illustrations and fun graphics to make the learning process entertaining.

An information kiosk can also help young church members understand your mission better. For example, you can share the history of your worship center, a brief background of your founders, and the impact of your outreach activities on the community. In this way, church members will be proud to be associated with your church.

6. Recognize the Youth Group

Like everyone else, millennials and Gen Z love recognition. More specifically, young people want to feel their efforts are impactful and take part in improving society.

With digital signage, you can publicly acknowledge the youth group’s achievements. Did the ministry organize a successful crusade that resulted in a record number of conversions? Use photos and videos to highlight the event, with special thanks to the youth minister. If the youth held a food drive to feed the less fortunate, leverage digital signs to ensure their efforts don’t go unnoticed.

When you recognize the youth ministry, you enhance their connection to the church’s larger mission. Also, highlight the talents of every member to make them feel proud of the group’s success.

7. Boost Social Media Presence

Modern churches must reach young people where they are, which is social media in the digital age. Currently, 84% of 18 to 29 Americans use social media sites like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. So, social media is an essential tool to engage youth groups.

If your church is already on a social media platform, the goal is to get young congregants to engage with your posts. To achieve this, display your social media handles in the lobby, hallway, and sanctuary signs to encourage viewers to connect with you.

Next, invite subscribers to share their experiences in your church using specific hashtags. For example, members can post highlights of their outreach activities or snippets of the music team practicing for service. Show these user-generated feeds prominently on your digital displays to encourage more social interaction with the youth.

8. Solicit Feedback

Young church members have many ideas for making their activities more impactful and fun but don’t always know where to channel their suggestions. Thankfully, you can broadcast feedback channels like email, chat, or Facebook messaging on digital signage, letting audiences know that you welcome their feedback. When students feel their ideas are valued, they are more enthusiastic about participating in church programs.

9. Train Youth Leaders

To drive youth engagement in your church, you must invest in the leaders who spend most of the time with the younger church members. The youth ministers should have strong listening and time management skills, help the young Christians nurture good values, and foster a team spirit.

Digital signage is an effective platform for leadership development as it shows training videos, statistics, and key points from the training curriculum. Additionally, incorporate social media and gaming on interactive screens to let youth leaders have fun as they learn. As a result, the directors gain the tools they need to engage the student ministry.

Engage Your Youth Ministry With Digital Signage

Younger people want a welcoming atmosphere, community, and activities that impact the world in the local church. Digital signage is a natural fit for churches looking to engage youth since it attracts and retains their attention, letting you promote your events, display song lyrics and bible verses, and share compelling stories. Above all, digital signs bring your church to the digital age and boost your social media presence.