Hosting an online church service creates an environment where people can experience the presence of God, take next steps in faith, and feel truly connected to your church community.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been running services for years, it’s always worth pausing to ask a few key questions before you go live. Asking the right questions can help you plan intentionally, serve effectively, and reach people who might never step inside your physical building.

Here are three questions every church should ask when planning an online service.

1. Do I Have the Right Tools to Run My Service?

Excellence matters because people matter. Poor audio quality, bad internet connection, and technical issues create a digital gap between your attenders and their ability to engage deeply with your online service.

That's why it's essential to have the right technical tools and support in place before your service starts. With the right gear, audio, visuals, and more, you can guarantee a smooth, distraction-free experience for your attenders.

Your online setup doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be reliable and intentional. Think through:

• Does your equipment allow for clear sound and video?
• Is your internet connection strong and consistent?
• Are your hosts and production volunteers confident with the platform tools?

Simple upgrades in lighting, audio, and connectivity can dramatically improve engagement and help people focus on what matters most—encountering Jesus.

Helpful Resource: Check out The Ultimate Guide to Buying Church Online Equipment for Any Budget to learn how you can set up your church for online excellence.

And for a comprehensive prep list, download our Online Excellence Checklist before your next service to ensure every detail is ready.

2. How Am I Intentionally Planning Next Steps for My Attenders?

A huge part of keeping your attenders engaged is planning Next Steps for them. Your online experience should provide ways for your attenders to connect, grow, and continue taking steps in their walk with Christ.

On the Church Online platform, there are multiple features that can help you plan Next Steps for your attenders. Here are a few ideas to help you:

• Train your hosts. Do you have hosts who serve during your online service? Equip them to start meaningful prayer conversations and offer support. Check out this guide, Equipping Hosts for Prayer Conversations, to learn how to do that.
• Lead to Next Steps. Hosts can use the Next Steps feature during private prayer. This makes prayer more personal and empowers Hosts to give attenders the best Next Steps through the Church Online Platform.
• Use the Moments feature. Schedule moments where your attenders can take next steps. Learn more by checking out, Moments Best Practices. A guide to help you utilize this feature.
• Highlight platform features. Features like live chat, notes, and prayer requests make it easy for attenders to connect and engage throughout the service. Explore them here on the Church Online Platform Features guide.

Your online service can be powerful when you offer next steps and keep them clear, actionable, and consistent—giving your attenders every chance to go deeper in their faith. Imagine how much stronger your online ministry could be when every moment points people closer to Jesus.

3. What’s My Follow-Up Strategy?

How are you following up with your people? Just because your service time is over doesn’t mean your ministry impact stops. With a consistent follow-up strategy, your attenders will not only grow in community with your church family but also in their relationship with Christ.

Here are some best practices to consider:

• Attenders: Send a personalized thank-you email or automated follow-up with next steps like joining a small group, watching another message, or attending in person.
• Volunteers: Keep your hosts and production team encouraged. Check in regularly, celebrate wins, and share stories of life change. Continue to cast vision and care for your team.

Your follow-up is where ministry multiplies. To understand how your ministry is reaching people, look into your service data. Analytics in the Church Online Platform gives you data about your church services, including attendance, average time attended, Prayer Requests, responses to Moments, and more.

This will help you answer questions like: Did prayer requests spike at a specific time? Did more people respond to Salvation Moments? Use this data to shape future services.

When you intentionally connect with attenders after the service, you help turn a moment of connection into a lasting relationship with Jesus.

‍

Final Thoughts

Every online service is an opportunity to reach someone who might never walk through your doors but can still encounter God’s love through your ministry.

So, as you plan your next online experience, take time to ask:

• Do we have the right tools?
• Are we guiding attenders toward next steps?
• How are we following up after the service?

When you lead with excellence and intentionality, you’re not just running an online service. You are creating an experience for people to grow closer to Jesus.

‍