Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast: Children | Youth | Students | NextGen

Episode 214: Student Ministry on Discord with Stephen Law

Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast: Children | Youth | Students | NextGen         Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast: Children | Youth | Students | NextGen        
Episode 214: Student Ministry on Discord with Stephen Law           Episode 214: Student Ministry on Discord with Stephen Law          
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    In this episode, Stephen Law reveals the tips and tricks he developed for middle school ministry using Discord as a platform for engagement. Stephen also shares some of the ways their student ministry has adapted to the ever-changing reality of church needing to be present in-person and online.

    Stephen Law

    Connect with Stephen online at Harborside Students and his personal website.

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    Notes

    Pre-COVID Ministry:

    • Three services for middle schoolers on Sunday mornings
      • One service – bible study (ask anything)
      • Two services – regular middle school service with a large group and small group experience
    • Wednesday nights (Connectors), sometimes on Monday nights
      • 8-week rotations in-line with adult Connect Groups
    • Some overlap of engagement from different service options
    • Online with Instagram (prior to COVID)
    • Moved to YouTube LIVE during their middle school services (prior to COVID)
      • Post-COVID – began running full service from his house on YouTube LIVE

     

    Post-COVID – Regathering:

    • Initial weeks of regathering – 70-75% of normal attendance
      • Fun fact: for the first time ever, more middle schoolers than there were kids in services
    • ONLINE
      • Tried ZOOM, but not a lot of traction
      • Moved to using Discord App (began developing in July 2019) but launched after COVID

     

    Using Discord server:

    • Originated for gamers
    • Many schools and church began using
    • Ability to create profiles and roles within the platform in a safe environment
    • Created webpage and guide for kids and families to learn how to use
      • **Cannot go on and find everyone's server; you must be given the server's specific link
    • Used “automated moderated” to assign roles and verify “rule acceptance”
    • Assigned specific roles for students, leaders, parents, etc., with settings for involvement
    • Ideas for events:
      • Minecraft Monday
      • Wednesday night groups – discussions in chat or voice or video
      • Friday Night game nights – family involvement
      • Sunday services – streamed to YouTube, then students interacted through Discord
    • **Ability to see messages even after deleted
    • Because students log in, there are immediate attendance/engagement numbers

     

    Action Items

    1. Check out Discord
    2. Find a digital way to connect students – that's safe
    3. Start with leaders

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