Quick Pivots and Creativity During COVID-19 - Interview with Lauren Rose, 121 Community Church

[Music] [Music] today i'm talking with lauren rose today i'm talking with lauren rose today i'm talking with lauren rose lauren is the communications and online lauren is the communications and online lauren is the communications and online manager for a really fast-growing church manager for a really fast-growing church manager for a really fast-growing church 121 community church that's located in 121 community church that's located in 121 community church that's located in grapevine texas grapevine texas grapevine texas lauren and i are discussing what they lauren and i are discussing what they lauren and i are discussing what they have been busy focusing on during kovid have been busy focusing on during kovid have been busy focusing on during kovid and how they are continuing to reach and how they are continuing to reach and how they are continuing to reach more people i hope you enjoy more people i hope you enjoy more people i hope you enjoy well hey lauren thanks so much for well hey lauren thanks so much for well hey lauren thanks so much for joining us today joining us today joining us today i'm glad to have you on the podcast oh i'm glad to have you on the podcast oh i'm glad to have you on the podcast oh my goodness my goodness my goodness for the opportunity i'm really excited for the opportunity i'm really excited for the opportunity i'm really excited to talk today to talk today to talk today yeah so tell me a little bit about what yeah so tell me a little bit about what yeah so tell me a little bit about what you get to oversee and what you get to you get to oversee and what you get to you get to oversee and what you get to do at do at do at the church absolutely so i've been at the church absolutely so i've been at the church absolutely so i've been at 121 121 121 for a year and a month so i was really for a year and a month so i was really for a year and a month so i was really excited to celebrate my one year excited to celebrate my one year excited to celebrate my one year anniversary as the communications anniversary as the communications anniversary as the communications and online manager um so that's and online manager um so that's and online manager um so that's obviously a a obviously a a obviously a a pretty broad thing um so under my belt i pretty broad thing um so under my belt i pretty broad thing um so under my belt i have the website social media strategy have the website social media strategy have the website social media strategy our our our app and email communication and um that app and email communication and um that app and email communication and um that obviously sounds like a lot obviously sounds like a lot obviously sounds like a lot um but i have a fabulous team of um but i have a fabulous team of um but i have a fabulous team of volunteers and assistant that are really volunteers and assistant that are really volunteers and assistant that are really just just just my right and my left arm and we are able my right and my left arm and we are able my right and my left arm and we are able to just to just to just get through all of it on a daily basis get through all of it on a daily basis get through all of it on a daily basis wow wow wow that's yeah that is a lot to oversee so that's yeah that is a lot to oversee so that's yeah that is a lot to oversee so well congratulations well congratulations well congratulations uh you survived the first year i always uh you survived the first year i always uh you survived the first year i always think that's kind of like the hardest is think that's kind of like the hardest is think that's kind of like the hardest is because you're you're learning the because you're you're learning the because you're you're learning the culture of a church and the dna of the culture of a church and the dna of the culture of a church and the dna of the church and the ins and outs and

church and the ins and outs and church and the ins and outs and a lot of people that come on staff for a lot of people that come on staff for a lot of people that come on staff for the first time of church they the first time of church they the first time of church they kind of go wow i had no idea it was this kind of go wow i had no idea it was this kind of go wow i had no idea it was this this much work and and this busy but it this much work and and this busy but it this much work and and this busy but it sure is sure is sure is rewarding so way to go way to go thank rewarding so way to go way to go thank rewarding so way to go way to go thank you you you yeah so covet hit right and so how has yeah so covet hit right and so how has yeah so covet hit right and so how has that really affected your job and that really affected your job and that really affected your job and and what's probably been the hardest and what's probably been the hardest and what's probably been the hardest thing for you guys to you know thing for you guys to you know thing for you guys to you know to react to and then what's been a to react to and then what's been a to react to and then what's been a really positive thing absolutely really positive thing absolutely really positive thing absolutely um yeah coven um definitely um yeah coven um definitely um yeah coven um definitely uh affects almost every aspect of uh my uh affects almost every aspect of uh my uh affects almost every aspect of uh my job job job right now um coming from a digital right now um coming from a digital right now um coming from a digital retailer retailer retailer um prior to this job um um prior to this job um um prior to this job um you know we were really focused on um you know we were really focused on um you know we were really focused on um online growth online growth online growth and all that sort of thing and then and all that sort of thing and then and all that sort of thing and then coming into this role coming into this role coming into this role um you know church growth was a totally um you know church growth was a totally um you know church growth was a totally different thing different thing different thing and so um a lot of the positives that and so um a lot of the positives that and so um a lot of the positives that we've seen with that is just uh the we've seen with that is just uh the we've seen with that is just uh the amount of people that we're able to amount of people that we're able to amount of people that we're able to reach online is a lot higher reach online is a lot higher reach online is a lot higher than it's ever been before um but than it's ever been before um but than it's ever been before um but you know from an internal perspective a you know from an internal perspective a you know from an internal perspective a lot of it has just been communication lot of it has just been communication lot of it has just been communication and how do we streamline all of our and how do we streamline all of our and how do we streamline all of our communication communication communication from pastors and volunteer teams and from pastors and volunteer teams and from pastors and volunteer teams and care teams and then our parents of care teams and then our parents of care teams and then our parents of students who are in um you know our students who are in um you know our students who are in um you know our different kids programs so different kids programs so different kids programs so we've definitely had our ups and downs we've definitely had our ups and downs we've definitely had our ups and downs with all of it with all of it with all of it like everyone we tried pre-recording we

like everyone we tried pre-recording we like everyone we tried pre-recording we tried tried tried going live and you know we suffered a going live and you know we suffered a going live and you know we suffered a lot of the same things that many lot of the same things that many lot of the same things that many churches did with having hiccups with churches did with having hiccups with churches did with having hiccups with servers servers servers and videos failing and internet not and videos failing and internet not and videos failing and internet not working inside the building working inside the building working inside the building but um it's been a hard journey but but um it's been a hard journey but but um it's been a hard journey but we're just really we're just really we're just really thankful for um the grace that everybody thankful for um the grace that everybody thankful for um the grace that everybody has shown us has shown us has shown us and just the opportunity to still be and just the opportunity to still be and just the opportunity to still be able to able to able to meet online and then in person as well meet online and then in person as well meet online and then in person as well so how tell me a little bit about uh the so how tell me a little bit about uh the so how tell me a little bit about uh the in-person element in-person element in-person element you know when did that happen and did it you know when did that happen and did it you know when did that happen and did it go go go uh what did it go the way you thought it uh what did it go the way you thought it uh what did it go the way you thought it would go would go would go yes it started off that way so um we yes it started off that way so um we yes it started off that way so um we were able to meet in person on june 7th were able to meet in person on june 7th were able to meet in person on june 7th and um in order to and um in order to and um in order to meet the guidelines and regulations and meet the guidelines and regulations and meet the guidelines and regulations and recommendations of the cdc recommendations of the cdc recommendations of the cdc um we decided to require registration um we decided to require registration um we decided to require registration ahead of time ahead of time ahead of time and um as soon as we put out the and um as soon as we put out the and um as soon as we put out the registration link we registration link we registration link we actually sold out and uh sold out of actually sold out and uh sold out of actually sold out and uh sold out of seats seats seats and so we were then able to create a and so we were then able to create a and so we were then able to create a third service third service third service based on the uh amount of people who are based on the uh amount of people who are based on the uh amount of people who are signing up signing up signing up and the funny thing with that though is and the funny thing with that though is and the funny thing with that though is um not everybody um not everybody um not everybody showed up so uh we kind of started showed up so uh we kind of started showed up so uh we kind of started realizing that there was realizing that there was realizing that there was a lot of excitement for people to want a lot of excitement for people to want a lot of excitement for people to want to go but then when it came down to it to go but then when it came down to it to go but then when it came down to it just as we're seeing with kovid um you

just as we're seeing with kovid um you just as we're seeing with kovid um you know things change know things change know things change so quickly plans change it's so hard to so quickly plans change it's so hard to so quickly plans change it's so hard to know know know what are we doing tomorrow you know let what are we doing tomorrow you know let what are we doing tomorrow you know let alone next week alone next week alone next week so um we are still conceived we're still so um we are still conceived we're still so um we are still conceived we're still seeing about 300 people between seeing about 300 people between seeing about 300 people between two services so i think we're at about two services so i think we're at about two services so i think we're at about 15 15 15 um for in-person attendance okay um for in-person attendance okay um for in-person attendance okay okay so it seems like yeah i mean that okay so it seems like yeah i mean that okay so it seems like yeah i mean that at least in this next stretch of road at least in this next stretch of road at least in this next stretch of road here we are in august here we are in august here we are in august early august and it seems like the next early august and it seems like the next early august and it seems like the next stretch of road is just going to be kind stretch of road is just going to be kind stretch of road is just going to be kind of like of like of like who knows where it's going you know when who knows where it's going you know when who knows where it's going you know when is this thing going to start to die down is this thing going to start to die down is this thing going to start to die down when are people going to all people when are people going to all people when are people going to all people going to feel more comfortable coming going to feel more comfortable coming going to feel more comfortable coming back back back so i'm sure you you know you just have so i'm sure you you know you just have so i'm sure you you know you just have to take it a week at a time you know for to take it a week at a time you know for to take it a week at a time you know for for that for that reality and and adjust for that for that reality and and adjust for that for that reality and and adjust accordingly huh accordingly huh accordingly huh oh yeah absolutely um it's really hard oh yeah absolutely um it's really hard oh yeah absolutely um it's really hard because because because um we want to always try and be as um we want to always try and be as um we want to always try and be as proactive as possible proactive as possible proactive as possible outside of covid's circumstances but outside of covid's circumstances but outside of covid's circumstances but right now right now right now you know things change every five you know things change every five you know things change every five minutes it seems like i mean i know minutes it seems like i mean i know minutes it seems like i mean i know personally personally personally the in-person school start date for my the in-person school start date for my the in-person school start date for my kids has changed at least three times in kids has changed at least three times in kids has changed at least three times in the past the past the past month and so um that applies to so many month and so um that applies to so many month and so um that applies to so many different people in so many different different people in so many different different people in so many different circumstances and so what we've really circumstances and so what we've really circumstances and so what we've really had to get good at doing is just being had to get good at doing is just being had to get good at doing is just being reactive reactive reactive and quickly adapting and changing plans and quickly adapting and changing plans and quickly adapting and changing plans and understanding that this this is just and understanding that this this is just and understanding that this this is just where we're at right now

where we're at right now where we're at right now and i'm just still trying to find a way and i'm just still trying to find a way and i'm just still trying to find a way that best serves our that best serves our that best serves our members and um attendees either online members and um attendees either online members and um attendees either online or in person or in person or in person yeah so so uh yeah so so uh yeah so so uh you made this switch to go online every you made this switch to go online every you made this switch to go online every church had to do it uh church had to do it uh church had to do it uh what's that been like well what's it what's that been like well what's it what's that been like well what's it gonna be like for the future for you are gonna be like for the future for you are gonna be like for the future for you are you guys you guys you guys gonna continue to go go all in with gonna continue to go go all in with gonna continue to go go all in with being online being online being online or or start to back off a little bit and or or start to back off a little bit and or or start to back off a little bit and try more focus on in person or what's try more focus on in person or what's try more focus on in person or what's that look like that look like that look like sure so uh we had been using the church sure so uh we had been using the church sure so uh we had been using the church online platform to online platform to online platform to um live stream in addition to facebook um live stream in addition to facebook um live stream in addition to facebook live and pushing live and pushing live and pushing our services out on our app that we use our services out on our app that we use our services out on our app that we use through subsplash through subsplash through subsplash and so we had previously already been and so we had previously already been and so we had previously already been going live and then recording it and going live and then recording it and going live and then recording it and pushing it out on different social media pushing it out on different social media pushing it out on different social media channels so channels so channels so um we were of course kind of lucky to um we were of course kind of lucky to um we were of course kind of lucky to already have that already already have that already already have that already set up um so then when covid hit set up um so then when covid hit set up um so then when covid hit we were able to then add in youtube as we were able to then add in youtube as we were able to then add in youtube as well um well um well um because we found that they were probably because we found that they were probably because we found that they were probably the most secure connection that we could the most secure connection that we could the most secure connection that we could have at the time have at the time have at the time but of course moving ahead these things but of course moving ahead these things but of course moving ahead these things aren't going away aren't going away aren't going away um and we have really shifted our focus um and we have really shifted our focus um and we have really shifted our focus into into into reaching the online audience first reaching the online audience first reaching the online audience first because because because that's where 85 percent of our viewers that's where 85 percent of our viewers that's where 85 percent of our viewers are right now and so are right now and so are right now and so um in planning events and all that it's um in planning events and all that it's um in planning events and all that it's really how can we reach the online really how can we reach the online really how can we reach the online audience and make sure audience and make sure audience and make sure that it's still the same experience um

that it's still the same experience um that it's still the same experience um because we know that people are because we know that people are because we know that people are worshiping from their homes now and so worshiping from their homes now and so worshiping from their homes now and so it's really nice to be able to create it's really nice to be able to create it's really nice to be able to create that environment that environment that environment um you know simulate it online and then um you know simulate it online and then um you know simulate it online and then people are then able to take that same people are then able to take that same people are then able to take that same worship experience worship experience worship experience and bring it into their home for their and bring it into their home for their and bring it into their home for their entire family so it's really entire family so it's really entire family so it's really um totally shifted from in person um totally shifted from in person um totally shifted from in person was the number one um and digital was was the number one um and digital was was the number one um and digital was kind of always on the back burner but kind of always on the back burner but kind of always on the back burner but now now now just seeing the shift to digital being just seeing the shift to digital being just seeing the shift to digital being in the forefront of everyone's mind in the forefront of everyone's mind in the forefront of everyone's mind yeah and you guys uh in particular have yeah and you guys uh in particular have yeah and you guys uh in particular have allocated budgets allocated budgets allocated budgets i know that because we do some things i know that because we do some things i know that because we do some things with you guys uh oh yeah with you guys uh oh yeah with you guys uh oh yeah have you allocated more staff to be have you allocated more staff to be have you allocated more staff to be focused on building a focused on building a focused on building a digital online church community digital online church community digital online church community no um i have a fabulous assistant that no um i have a fabulous assistant that no um i have a fabulous assistant that really she does so much for me and i really she does so much for me and i really she does so much for me and i absolutely could not function absolutely could not function absolutely could not function without her but i will say the biggest without her but i will say the biggest without her but i will say the biggest shift has been shift has been shift has been the way that people who were already on the way that people who were already on the way that people who were already on staff staff staff have shifted their thinking and how can have shifted their thinking and how can have shifted their thinking and how can we we we um you know we had the summer bible um you know we had the summer bible um you know we had the summer bible study well how are we going to do it you study well how are we going to do it you study well how are we going to do it you know how what's it going to look like know how what's it going to look like know how what's it going to look like what is attendance going to be what is attendance going to be what is attendance going to be and all of that and so then it was just and all of that and so then it was just and all of that and so then it was just a matter of them a matter of them a matter of them shifting their thinking into saying why shifting their thinking into saying why shifting their thinking into saying why don't we just do it on zoom and why don't we just do it on zoom and why don't we just do it on zoom and why don't we stream it live don't we stream it live don't we stream it live and we had other panel events where and we had other panel events where and we had other panel events where people were then able to tune in and people were then able to tune in and people were then able to tune in and uh catch these events from the comfort uh catch these events from the comfort uh catch these events from the comfort of their own home

of their own home of their own home and so um no to no new staff and so um no to no new staff and so um no to no new staff but uh definitely seeing a major shift but uh definitely seeing a major shift but uh definitely seeing a major shift in the way that in the way that in the way that our current staff approaches digital our current staff approaches digital our current staff approaches digital well and i gotta tell you that's that's well and i gotta tell you that's that's well and i gotta tell you that's that's gotta be a lot of gotta be a lot of gotta be a lot of really good news for a lot of churches really good news for a lot of churches really good news for a lot of churches that can't afford to hire more staff that can't afford to hire more staff that can't afford to hire more staff it's more about the mind shift of it's more about the mind shift of it's more about the mind shift of how you're gonna do church not only how you're gonna do church not only how you're gonna do church not only today but obviously in the future today but obviously in the future today but obviously in the future you know and and so i i mean it sounds you know and and so i i mean it sounds you know and and so i i mean it sounds like that's kind of like that's kind of like that's kind of when you think about the new normal when you think about the new normal when you think about the new normal whatever that is and whenever that is whatever that is and whenever that is whatever that is and whenever that is right that's that's real right that's that's real right that's that's real what you just said to kind of it's going what you just said to kind of it's going what you just said to kind of it's going to affect everything we do to affect everything we do to affect everything we do you know small groups or you know you know small groups or you know you know small groups or you know classes or events classes or events classes or events that type of thing and and um i'm glad that type of thing and and um i'm glad that type of thing and and um i'm glad to hear that you guys are to hear that you guys are to hear that you guys are making that shift because i think it's making that shift because i think it's making that shift because i think it's so important because there's this huge so important because there's this huge so important because there's this huge online online online community that's not connected to any community that's not connected to any community that's not connected to any church yet church yet church yet they're still curious and they're still they're still curious and they're still they're still curious and they're still searching yes searching yes searching yes it's kind of interesting to see um prior it's kind of interesting to see um prior it's kind of interesting to see um prior to covid we kind of found that a lot of to covid we kind of found that a lot of to covid we kind of found that a lot of people started their journey people started their journey people started their journey um to 121 online first and they were um to 121 online first and they were um to 121 online first and they were able to just kind of remain on able to just kind of remain on able to just kind of remain on anonymous um and then kind of anonymous um and then kind of anonymous um and then kind of dip their toe in the water and just then dip their toe in the water and just then dip their toe in the water and just then make the commitment to finally walking make the commitment to finally walking make the commitment to finally walking in in in and so i think that right now it's just and so i think that right now it's just and so i think that right now it's just really nice for people to continue really nice for people to continue really nice for people to continue to just kind of pursue that path to just kind of pursue that path to just kind of pursue that path um and being online right now and then um and being online right now and then um and being online right now and then as people's comfort levels change

as people's comfort levels change as people's comfort levels change then we're able to start seeing more then we're able to start seeing more then we're able to start seeing more people eventually come in person because people eventually come in person because people eventually come in person because they've been attending church online they've been attending church online they've been attending church online longer longer longer um and just kind of being comfortable in um and just kind of being comfortable in um and just kind of being comfortable in that scenario that scenario that scenario so have you so let's talk about your so have you so let's talk about your so have you so let's talk about your internal versus your external audience internal versus your external audience internal versus your external audience and uh you got a lot of people that come and uh you got a lot of people that come and uh you got a lot of people that come to your church and uh to your church and uh to your church and uh you know i call those ring one people you know i call those ring one people you know i call those ring one people right ring one people they go to your right ring one people they go to your right ring one people they go to your church and and uh they may come every church and and uh they may come every church and and uh they may come every now and then but now and then but now and then but what's been your focus on how you've what's been your focus on how you've what's been your focus on how you've been able to reach and keep those ring been able to reach and keep those ring been able to reach and keep those ring one people engaged one people engaged one people engaged versus an external audience versus an external audience versus an external audience um i'm not quite sure i understand the um i'm not quite sure i understand the um i'm not quite sure i understand the question question question when you're yeah when you're thinking when you're yeah when you're thinking when you're yeah when you're thinking about how to continue to engage your about how to continue to engage your about how to continue to engage your your own people have you changed some of your own people have you changed some of your own people have you changed some of the methods the methods the methods obviously because you're not in person obviously because you're not in person obviously because you're not in person there's a lot there's a different way to there's a lot there's a different way to there's a lot there's a different way to communicate communicate communicate and have you you know have you worked on and have you you know have you worked on and have you you know have you worked on strategies or beefed up the way that strategies or beefed up the way that strategies or beefed up the way that you're communicating you're communicating you're communicating to your own congregation to your own congregation to your own congregation um i don't really know that we've um i don't really know that we've um i don't really know that we've changed a whole lot changed a whole lot changed a whole lot other than um we've definitely had a lot other than um we've definitely had a lot other than um we've definitely had a lot more of our pastors create more of our pastors create more of our pastors create video content for their different areas video content for their different areas video content for their different areas for example our for example our for example our youth pastors have done a phenomenal job youth pastors have done a phenomenal job youth pastors have done a phenomenal job building up a youtube channel that's building up a youtube channel that's building up a youtube channel that's dedicated to content dedicated to content dedicated to content for 6th through 12th graders and just

for 6th through 12th graders and just for 6th through 12th graders and just the way the way the way that they were able to connect with that they were able to connect with that they were able to connect with their students over zoom their students over zoom their students over zoom and just have those meetings and just do and just have those meetings and just do and just have those meetings and just do one-on-ones with one-on-ones with one-on-ones with their students as far as like hey what their students as far as like hey what their students as far as like hey what are you going through today what are you are you going through today what are you are you going through today what are you um what are some of the hardships of all um what are some of the hardships of all um what are some of the hardships of all of this and then we're then able to of this and then we're then able to of this and then we're then able to record all of that and push that back record all of that and push that back record all of that and push that back out into social media content out into social media content out into social media content and it's a way for parents to get to see and it's a way for parents to get to see and it's a way for parents to get to see oh this is what my kids are oh this is what my kids are oh this is what my kids are struggling with that sort of thing and struggling with that sort of thing and struggling with that sort of thing and we've just really been reactive with we've just really been reactive with we've just really been reactive with some of the different things that are some of the different things that are some of the different things that are going on for example going on for example going on for example um you know marriages are put in a um you know marriages are put in a um you know marriages are put in a really hard situation now really hard situation now really hard situation now when both spouses are working from home when both spouses are working from home when both spouses are working from home and there's kids and there's kids and there's kids and so we were able to do a marriage and so we were able to do a marriage and so we were able to do a marriage workshop workshop workshop um that was just hey how do we get um that was just hey how do we get um that was just hey how do we get through this and what are you doing that through this and what are you doing that through this and what are you doing that you feel like is working and where are you feel like is working and where are you feel like is working and where are you having problems and so you having problems and so you having problems and so again i think it's just being reactive again i think it's just being reactive again i think it's just being reactive to the way to the way to the way that the world is right now finding that the world is right now finding that the world is right now finding hardships and struggles and then hardships and struggles and then hardships and struggles and then creating content around that as a way to creating content around that as a way to creating content around that as a way to continue to continue to continue to keep people engaged and just also know keep people engaged and just also know keep people engaged and just also know that you know what you're experiencing that you know what you're experiencing that you know what you're experiencing right now you're not alone right now you're not alone right now you're not alone here's everybody else that's going here's everybody else that's going here's everybody else that's going through the same thing and through the same thing and through the same thing and really just trying to help people not really just trying to help people not really just trying to help people not isolate isolate isolate you know such a great answer here you know such a great answer here you know such a great answer here because and that's exactly what i was because and that's exactly what i was because and that's exactly what i was was kind of looking for because what was kind of looking for because what was kind of looking for because what people internally are struggling with people internally are struggling with people internally are struggling with people outsiders people outsiders people outsiders they're struggling with the same stuff

they're struggling with the same stuff they're struggling with the same stuff and and likely and and likely and and likely maybe they're they're not connected to a maybe they're they're not connected to a maybe they're they're not connected to a church and they may be far from god church and they may be far from god church and they may be far from god but they still have marriage issues but they still have marriage issues but they still have marriage issues they're still struggling they're still struggling they're still struggling just like people that go to your church just like people that go to your church just like people that go to your church and so for you guys to be creating and so for you guys to be creating and so for you guys to be creating uh either curriculum or at least uh either curriculum or at least uh either curriculum or at least creating videos and pushing that out creating videos and pushing that out creating videos and pushing that out to your congregation it it it bleeds to your congregation it it it bleeds to your congregation it it it bleeds into the people that don't go to your into the people that don't go to your into the people that don't go to your church and so church and so church and so i love hearing that because you you know i love hearing that because you you know i love hearing that because you you know that's been i think the thing that i've that's been i think the thing that i've that's been i think the thing that i've really seen a lot of churches do really seen a lot of churches do really seen a lot of churches do very successfully is is figure out what very successfully is is figure out what very successfully is is figure out what do we need to talk about do we need to talk about do we need to talk about create that and get it out there you create that and get it out there you create that and get it out there you know and help people as they're coping know and help people as they're coping know and help people as they're coping through this through this through this really rough season and we're certainly really rough season and we're certainly really rough season and we're certainly not out of the woods not out of the woods not out of the woods so it's it's really you know that's so it's it's really you know that's so it's it's really you know that's that's a great answer i'm glad you you that's a great answer i'm glad you you that's a great answer i'm glad you you guys are guys are guys are really focused on that um uh because i really focused on that um uh because i really focused on that um uh because i think that that stuff will think that that stuff will think that that stuff will will carry over to an external audience will carry over to an external audience will carry over to an external audience so so so um so are there some um so are there some um so are there some so here we are we're getting ready to go so here we are we're getting ready to go so here we are we're getting ready to go into the fall are there some really big into the fall are there some really big into the fall are there some really big initiatives or initiatives or initiatives or any kind of initiatives that you guys any kind of initiatives that you guys any kind of initiatives that you guys are other than are other than are other than going all in with digital is there going all in with digital is there going all in with digital is there anything big that you guys are thinking anything big that you guys are thinking anything big that you guys are thinking of or of or of or uh when it comes to like maybe a fall uh when it comes to like maybe a fall uh when it comes to like maybe a fall kickoff or you're looking into the kickoff or you're looking into the kickoff or you're looking into the winter time winter time winter time as a church absolutely and our pastor as a church absolutely and our pastor as a church absolutely and our pastor ross sawyers has a huge heart ross sawyers has a huge heart ross sawyers has a huge heart for the underground church um which for the underground church um which for the underground church um which we're just we're just we're just you know a group of people of christians you know a group of people of christians you know a group of people of christians who are persecuted all over who are persecuted all over who are persecuted all over the world and that is our major

the world and that is our major the world and that is our major initiative this fall initiative this fall initiative this fall along with um eight commandments to along with um eight commandments to along with um eight commandments to follow jesus follow jesus follow jesus and that involved landing pages and and that involved landing pages and and that involved landing pages and website designs and graphics and videos website designs and graphics and videos website designs and graphics and videos and and and all sorts of stuff and uh what a unique all sorts of stuff and uh what a unique all sorts of stuff and uh what a unique time time time um you know it's just uh really um you know it's just uh really um you know it's just uh really interesting to interesting to interesting to see how god laid that on ross's heart see how god laid that on ross's heart see how god laid that on ross's heart and then to now be and then to now be and then to now be in a scenario where church is at home in a scenario where church is at home in a scenario where church is at home and obviously it is not the same type of and obviously it is not the same type of and obviously it is not the same type of persecution or anything like that but i persecution or anything like that but i persecution or anything like that but i think that it really helps think that it really helps think that it really helps people get in that mindset of you know people get in that mindset of you know people get in that mindset of you know what it is to do church what it is to do church what it is to do church at home um and go from there so we're at home um and go from there so we're at home um and go from there so we're really excited about it really excited about it really excited about it um and we are actually launching that um and we are actually launching that um and we are actually launching that this sunday really okay that's yeah this sunday really okay that's yeah this sunday really okay that's yeah that's really that's awesome that's really that's awesome that's really that's awesome yeah i mean it i've had that same yeah i mean it i've had that same yeah i mean it i've had that same thought thought thought you know when you're you're not able to you know when you're you're not able to you know when you're you're not able to go to church you really go to church you really go to church you really sort of take it for granted and um i was sort of take it for granted and um i was sort of take it for granted and um i was able to talk to my boys about the fact able to talk to my boys about the fact able to talk to my boys about the fact that there are so many people around the that there are so many people around the that there are so many people around the world world world they they don't get to go and drive to a they they don't get to go and drive to a they they don't get to go and drive to a campus campus campus and be with their friends and worship and be with their friends and worship and be with their friends and worship and and do life and and do life and and do life and you know worship you know be be with and you know worship you know be be with and you know worship you know be be with church people that just doesn't happen church people that just doesn't happen church people that just doesn't happen in a lot of countries around the world in a lot of countries around the world in a lot of countries around the world they have to stay at home they have to stay at home they have to stay at home very much hidden and uh they got a kind very much hidden and uh they got a kind very much hidden and uh they got a kind of a taste of that and of a taste of that and of a taste of that and you really start to miss i just miss our you really start to miss i just miss our you really start to miss i just miss our church church church oh absolutely and the people and you oh absolutely and the people and you oh absolutely and the people and you know we're all know we're all know we're all we're thankful for zoom you know it's

we're thankful for zoom you know it's we're thankful for zoom you know it's like we're all thankful for that you like we're all thankful for that you like we're all thankful for that you know but it's like man i'd really just know but it's like man i'd really just know but it's like man i'd really just like to hug you like to hug you like to hug you you know and that sort of stuff but um you know and that sort of stuff but um you know and that sort of stuff but um it's it's really neat just to kind of it's it's really neat just to kind of it's it's really neat just to kind of see how see how see how this has ultimately prepared people this has ultimately prepared people this has ultimately prepared people for at least understanding that as you for at least understanding that as you for at least understanding that as you mentioned it's a luxury mentioned it's a luxury mentioned it's a luxury it's a luxury to meet in person and um it's a luxury to meet in person and um it's a luxury to meet in person and um so now to so now to so now to be forced to be in this position it's be forced to be in this position it's be forced to be in this position it's just a really just a really just a really nice parallel to be able to uh kind of nice parallel to be able to uh kind of nice parallel to be able to uh kind of compare the two yeah yeah compare the two yeah yeah compare the two yeah yeah yeah um switching gears a little bit uh yeah um switching gears a little bit uh yeah um switching gears a little bit uh reaching younger people you know i think reaching younger people you know i think reaching younger people you know i think even before covet hit even before covet hit even before covet hit uh but certainly now it's it's it's uh but certainly now it's it's it's uh but certainly now it's it's it's always been the churches always been the churches always been the churches i hate to say struggle but you just see i hate to say struggle but you just see i hate to say struggle but you just see more and more churches that are growing more and more churches that are growing more and more churches that are growing older and not younger and it's just a older and not younger and it's just a older and not younger and it's just a reality reality reality um and uh are there some things that you um and uh are there some things that you um and uh are there some things that you guys are doing to guys are doing to guys are doing to try and reach a younger generation you try and reach a younger generation you try and reach a younger generation you know not necessarily teenagers but you know not necessarily teenagers but you know not necessarily teenagers but you know know know you know young families and engage them you know young families and engage them you know young families and engage them back into church back into church back into church are there are you guys able to find some are there are you guys able to find some are there are you guys able to find some success in that are you still success in that are you still success in that are you still trying to figure it out or what's that trying to figure it out or what's that trying to figure it out or what's that look like we're still trying to figure look like we're still trying to figure look like we're still trying to figure it out it out it out um a little bit because everybody's um a little bit because everybody's um a little bit because everybody's different you know and then of course different you know and then of course different you know and then of course different different different ways and feelings and responses to kovid ways and feelings and responses to kovid ways and feelings and responses to kovid right now right now right now it's different for everybody but we've it's different for everybody but we've it's different for everybody but we've really really really amped up our social media ad spend amped up our social media ad spend amped up our social media ad spend on facebook and then we recently

on facebook and then we recently on facebook and then we recently just launched our relaunched our youtube just launched our relaunched our youtube just launched our relaunched our youtube channel channel channel and so that's something that we're going and so that's something that we're going and so that's something that we're going to continue to invest in to continue to invest in to continue to invest in because as we've just found social media because as we've just found social media because as we've just found social media platforms aren't going away platforms aren't going away platforms aren't going away and so it's a matter of reaching people and so it's a matter of reaching people and so it's a matter of reaching people where they are and not being afraid to where they are and not being afraid to where they are and not being afraid to do it do it do it i think um sometimes there was a lot of i think um sometimes there was a lot of i think um sometimes there was a lot of fear of well we don't want to spend our fear of well we don't want to spend our fear of well we don't want to spend our time and money there because there's a time and money there because there's a time and money there because there's a lot of you know bad stuff lot of you know bad stuff lot of you know bad stuff out there um but at the same time too out there um but at the same time too out there um but at the same time too as christians we're called to be the as christians we're called to be the as christians we're called to be the good and so you know putting content out good and so you know putting content out good and so you know putting content out there and then targeting people there and then targeting people there and then targeting people based on felt needs and that's based on felt needs and that's based on felt needs and that's definitely been something that um your definitely been something that um your definitely been something that um your team has helped us with a lot team has helped us with a lot team has helped us with a lot is just felt needs and identifying those is just felt needs and identifying those is just felt needs and identifying those and then creating content with solutions and then creating content with solutions and then creating content with solutions to those felt needs yeah to those felt needs yeah to those felt needs yeah yeah that's exciting i mean you're yeah that's exciting i mean you're yeah that's exciting i mean you're you know i don't know if anybody's you know i don't know if anybody's you know i don't know if anybody's really figured it out i mean some really figured it out i mean some really figured it out i mean some churches are churches are churches are further down the path than others you further down the path than others you further down the path than others you know but but you know but but you know but but you understand that's where we you kind of understand that's where we you kind of understand that's where we you kind of have to go have to go have to go and uh so you know that's that's and uh so you know that's that's and uh so you know that's that's exciting to to see because you know i exciting to to see because you know i exciting to to see because you know i think that think that think that when you talk about the church you get a when you talk about the church you get a when you talk about the church you get a lot of smart people led by lot of smart people led by lot of smart people led by jesus so i mean we're we're gonna figure jesus so i mean we're we're gonna figure jesus so i mean we're we're gonna figure it out it out it out and and um help people connect and and um help people connect and and um help people connect back to church or maybe for the first back to church or maybe for the first back to church or maybe for the first time and um time and um time and um it's gonna cause you know i think it's gonna cause you know i think it's gonna cause you know i think churches are thinking through on how churches are thinking through on how churches are thinking through on how they they they how they do that so um well i can't wait how they do that so um well i can't wait how they do that so um well i can't wait to hear

to hear to hear and see how you guys end up doing that and see how you guys end up doing that and see how you guys end up doing that very well so very well so very well so um so um so um so kind of go into the big c church you kind of go into the big c church you kind of go into the big c church you know what do you think is going to be know what do you think is going to be know what do you think is going to be some of the challenges over the next few some of the challenges over the next few some of the challenges over the next few years when it comes to church growth years when it comes to church growth years when it comes to church growth does anything come to your mind when you does anything come to your mind when you does anything come to your mind when you think about that especially because think about that especially because think about that especially because you're so you're so you're so you're so new to being on the church you're so new to being on the church you're so new to being on the church staff mm-hmm um staff mm-hmm um staff mm-hmm um you know what what's that look like you know what what's that look like you know what what's that look like um i know for us like uh in earlier at um i know for us like uh in earlier at um i know for us like uh in earlier at the end of the end of the end of 2019 we like we launched our vision 2019 we like we launched our vision 2019 we like we launched our vision 2025 and um that was obviously 2025 and um that was obviously 2025 and um that was obviously pre-covered pre-covered pre-covered um so while we realized some of those um so while we realized some of those um so while we realized some of those things have changed things have changed things have changed it's still actively pursuing those it's still actively pursuing those it's still actively pursuing those things things things and it's just seeing that god's plan and it's just seeing that god's plan and it's just seeing that god's plan is still a you know we're obviously is still a you know we're obviously is still a you know we're obviously vision 2025 is following god's plan and vision 2025 is following god's plan and vision 2025 is following god's plan and just seeing how different it looks for just seeing how different it looks for just seeing how different it looks for us us us um so we are really focused on um so we are really focused on um so we are really focused on um planting churches um across the um planting churches um across the um planting churches um across the united states and our plan united states and our plan united states and our plan is for three churches to be planted but is for three churches to be planted but is for three churches to be planted but really really really i think what the big shift is going to i think what the big shift is going to i think what the big shift is going to be for us be for us be for us and all of the churches is just digital and all of the churches is just digital and all of the churches is just digital growth growth growth i think what a lot of people are finding i think what a lot of people are finding i think what a lot of people are finding right now right now right now myself included it's nice to be able to myself included it's nice to be able to myself included it's nice to be able to wake up wake up wake up on sunday morning and not have to get on sunday morning and not have to get on sunday morning and not have to get ready and not have to get my kids ready ready and not have to get my kids ready ready and not have to get my kids ready and and and you know hair and makeup and breakfast

you know hair and makeup and breakfast you know hair and makeup and breakfast and all of that sort of stuff and all of that sort of stuff and all of that sort of stuff and just being able to turn on the tv and just being able to turn on the tv and just being able to turn on the tv and and and cast the series um the message on to cast the series um the message on to cast the series um the message on to my tv and i can do that from the comfort my tv and i can do that from the comfort my tv and i can do that from the comfort of my home and so of my home and so of my home and so um obviously i miss the people um obviously i miss the people um obviously i miss the people um but what a great opportunity for the um but what a great opportunity for the um but what a great opportunity for the church to just continue to grow church to just continue to grow church to just continue to grow for people who are maybe in that for people who are maybe in that for people who are maybe in that vulnerable group and they can't come to vulnerable group and they can't come to vulnerable group and they can't come to church church church yet they can't be around people or maybe yet they can't be around people or maybe yet they can't be around people or maybe they're a little nervous about trying it they're a little nervous about trying it they're a little nervous about trying it for the first time for the first time for the first time so um i think that digital is going to so um i think that digital is going to so um i think that digital is going to be where we see our biggest be where we see our biggest be where we see our biggest growth um as the kingdom uh growth um as the kingdom uh growth um as the kingdom uh over the next couple of years yeah i over the next couple of years yeah i over the next couple of years yeah i agree with you agree with you agree with you you know it's it's not going away you know it's it's not going away you know it's it's not going away and you think about uh what changes and you think about uh what changes and you think about uh what changes the most rapidly in our culture today the most rapidly in our culture today the most rapidly in our culture today it's technology it's technology it's technology and as technology continues to evolve and as technology continues to evolve and as technology continues to evolve this is our thinking as technology this is our thinking as technology this is our thinking as technology continues to evolve continues to evolve continues to evolve we as the church need to be we as the church need to be we as the church need to be in the same step we can't let five years in the same step we can't let five years in the same step we can't let five years go by go by go by and technology has advanced people so and technology has advanced people so and technology has advanced people so far and we're way back here far and we're way back here far and we're way back here right you have to end that we have to right you have to end that we have to right you have to end that we have to stay up to speed if you will stay up to speed if you will stay up to speed if you will and it's going to take a mindset and you and it's going to take a mindset and you and it's going to take a mindset and you guys have that mindset it's it's going guys have that mindset it's it's going guys have that mindset it's it's going to take money to take money to take money uh in resources and it's it's going to uh in resources and it's it's going to uh in resources and it's it's going to take a risk take a risk take a risk you know to go there and and be okay you know to go there and and be okay you know to go there and and be okay with failure with failure with failure because that's going to come success you because that's going to come success you because that's going to come success you know know know agree more of it has really helped that

agree more of it has really helped that agree more of it has really helped that shift in thinking too shift in thinking too shift in thinking too and just kind of um almost being a and just kind of um almost being a and just kind of um almost being a really big support for digital really big support for digital really big support for digital um which i hate that it took a pandemic um which i hate that it took a pandemic um which i hate that it took a pandemic for that but for that but for that but um you know it's i'm thankful that the um you know it's i'm thankful that the um you know it's i'm thankful that the technology already technology already technology already existed and that the church could just existed and that the church could just existed and that the church could just get get get caught up so to speak yeah well said yep caught up so to speak yeah well said yep caught up so to speak yeah well said yep if there's a silver lining to cover 19 if there's a silver lining to cover 19 if there's a silver lining to cover 19 it's that it's that it's that it kind of woke up the church to have to it kind of woke up the church to have to it kind of woke up the church to have to shift to shift to shift to where it needed to go um every church where it needed to go um every church where it needed to go um every church you know you know you know around the planet so yeah around the planet so yeah around the planet so yeah i guess that's a little bit of a silver i guess that's a little bit of a silver i guess that's a little bit of a silver lining yeah lining yeah lining yeah well lauren thank you so much for uh for well lauren thank you so much for uh for well lauren thank you so much for uh for joining us today joining us today joining us today uh great insight and um we're going to uh great insight and um we're going to uh great insight and um we're going to stay tuned stay tuned stay tuned to how uh 121 community church is to how uh 121 community church is to how uh 121 community church is growing growing growing and how you guys are continuing to reach and how you guys are continuing to reach and how you guys are continuing to reach more people for jesus so i appreciate more people for jesus so i appreciate more people for jesus so i appreciate your time your time your time oh i appreciate you and i appreciate oh i appreciate you and i appreciate oh i appreciate you and i appreciate missional marketing so much missional marketing so much missional marketing so much and just the way that you all have and just the way that you all have and just the way that you all have helped us helped us helped us grow in the last year and just the grow in the last year and just the grow in the last year and just the amount of amount of amount of outreach that we're able to do digitally outreach that we're able to do digitally outreach that we're able to do digitally because of you all because of you all because of you all is absolutely wonderful and is absolutely wonderful and is absolutely wonderful and at 121 we're all about leading people to at 121 we're all about leading people to at 121 we're all about leading people to live for jesus christ and we have a live for jesus christ and we have a live for jesus christ and we have a fabulous fabulous fabulous team that's able to do that when people team that's able to do that when people team that's able to do that when people walk into the building walk into the building walk into the building um but being able to do that online um but being able to do that online um but being able to do that online because of initial marketing has just because of initial marketing has just because of initial marketing has just been been been absolutely fabulous so thank you oh absolutely fabulous so thank you oh absolutely fabulous so thank you oh thank you i appreciate that all right

thank you i appreciate that all right thank you i appreciate that all right we'll talk to you soon we'll talk to you soon we'll talk to you soon all right thanks bye-bye thanks again all right thanks bye-bye thanks again all right thanks bye-bye thanks again lauren lauren lauren that was really insightful and that was really insightful and that was really insightful and encouraging so encouraging so encouraging so as you're planning on being back in as you're planning on being back in as you're planning on being back in person or maybe your church is person or maybe your church is person or maybe your church is already back in person you know you want already back in person you know you want already back in person you know you want to keep focusing on to keep focusing on to keep focusing on building your online presence right building your online presence right building your online presence right engaging more people and inviting them engaging more people and inviting them engaging more people and inviting them to church to church to church two fantastic tools come to mind when i two fantastic tools come to mind when i two fantastic tools come to mind when i think about think about think about how you can go deeper in reaching more how you can go deeper in reaching more how you can go deeper in reaching more people the first people the first people the first is the google ad grant now lauren and is the google ad grant now lauren and is the google ad grant now lauren and 121 community 121 community 121 community are using the grant and they are driving are using the grant and they are driving are using the grant and they are driving more and more more and more more and more people to their website as a result and people to their website as a result and people to their website as a result and you really want to take advantage of you really want to take advantage of you really want to take advantage of this opportunity a hundred and twenty this opportunity a hundred and twenty this opportunity a hundred and twenty thousand dollars a year thousand dollars a year thousand dollars a year is at your fingertips when you use the is at your fingertips when you use the is at your fingertips when you use the google ad grant google ad grant google ad grant google ads and search are fantastic and google ads and search are fantastic and google ads and search are fantastic and it's a great way to reach people it's a great way to reach people it's a great way to reach people either looking for church or looking for either looking for church or looking for either looking for church or looking for help with a felt need help with a felt need help with a felt need the second product that comes to mind is the second product that comes to mind is the second product that comes to mind is really developing really developing really developing landing page content right content is landing page content right content is landing page content right content is king right we understand this in king right we understand this in king right we understand this in google's world they google's world they google's world they really want to be able to crawl content really want to be able to crawl content really want to be able to crawl content and so and so and so having uh additional pages on your having uh additional pages on your having uh additional pages on your website that are addressing these felt website that are addressing these felt website that are addressing these felt need issues need issues need issues is what you really want to focus on is what you really want to focus on is what you really want to focus on during the season during the season during the season i always tell churches like every sunday i always tell churches like every sunday i always tell churches like every sunday your pastor creates an your pastor creates an your pastor creates an amazing blog post of content amazing blog post of content amazing blog post of content that could be put into a page and so that could be put into a page and so that could be put into a page and so but you want to keep going deeper in in

but you want to keep going deeper in in but you want to keep going deeper in in developing more and more developing more and more developing more and more felt need landing pages so those are two felt need landing pages so those are two felt need landing pages so those are two great tools to be using great tools to be using great tools to be using i really hope you enjoyed the i really hope you enjoyed the i really hope you enjoyed the conversation with lauren today conversation with lauren today conversation with lauren today if you're interested in talking with if you're interested in talking with if you're interested in talking with missional marketing about how you missional marketing about how you missional marketing about how you can utilize those two products we're can utilize those two products we're can utilize those two products we're here to serve you until next time take here to serve you until next time take here to serve you until next time take care care care and god bless and be safe