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Your church: is there an App for that?  You may not like the way it sounds, but it’s well worth the ponder.

More and more, people are choosing mobile phones with App capabilities over “basic” phones.  Business are responding to this trend and developing Apps.  Should the church?  More to the point, should your church?

When considering a church App keep in mind three qualities: Interaction, Connection, and Relationship.

Interaction: to be effective, your church App MUST be interactive. If not, the App experience will fall flat.  A great church App allows people to interface with your ministry on multiple levels.

Connection:  A great church App increases connection to your ministry.  It will increase both the number of connections and the quality of connection.  If developed properly, a great church App can also help people connect with God through increased spiritual formation.

Relationship: the net result of interactive connection is establishing and building relationships.  A great church App will help you solidify the relationship between the church and its members, members with other members, and members with their friends who are far from God.

Below I have included features I would like to see in an App for my church.  This is not an end all beat all list.  It’s merely offered to prime the creative pump for what you can create for your church.

Interactive Calendar: This includes a regular calendar and upcoming events at the church such as VBS, special workshops, small groups, concerts, etc.  Clicking on the event will open video promos of the event including pertinent information.  Finally, I would have the opportunity to register for an event, join a small group, or purchase tickets to concerts from my phone.

Functional Map: This makes the most sense, but I have yet to see a church App with this feature.  Every church App should use the phone’s GPS and online map capabilities to provide customized, turn-by-turn, directions from wherever people are to your church.

Daily Devotions: Why not allow members to explore the weekend message on a deeper level through daily devotions based on the weekend teaching?  Make sure to display Scripture references as links to a Bible App.

Games: Yes, I said Games!  Many churches hand out Children’s bulletins.  Why not allow your church App to provide interactive games instead?  Don’t stop with the kids.  Adults use game Apps on their phone to pass the time during the week.  What about a game that lists a Scripture verse and then lists 4 possible references for that verse?  Added would be some competitive elements, like a timed game, accuracy, high score, etc.

Prayer Wall: Place to post prayer requests (provision for anonymity if desired) and opportunities for people to respond to prayer request posts.

Philosophy of Ministry Video: This turns the App into a tool to help members connect your church with their friends who are far from God.  It also helps people looking for a church get to know the uniqueness of your ministry.

Some final thoughts: Not every church should consider developing an App.  If you think you are ready to move forward, don’t skimp.  Go all they way or don’t go at all.

If you already have an App for your church, or if you develop one, let me know.  I’m always on the lookout for great examples I can share with my client churches.


Alan Chandler is a Consultant Partner with Church Doctor Ministries www.churchdoctor.org, a full-service church consultation ministry dedicated to helping Christians and churches become more effective for the Great Commission, to make disciples of all people.  Alan can be reached at alanchandler@churchdoctor.org