The Surprising Connection Between Online Views and Church Growth

Churchfront Worship and Tech Podcast

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Episode Title

The Surprising Connection Between Online Views and Church Growth

Episode Description

Matt and Jake dive into The Unstuck Group's Q3 2025 report analyzing 252 churches to uncover surprising connections between worship style, online streaming, and church growth. Discover why declining churches juggle multiple worship styles, how online views predict growth, and why the cost barrier for quality streaming has never been lower.

Key Takeaways

• 76% of surveyed churches now focus on modern/contemporary worship only
• Churches with multiple worship styles are more likely to be declining
• 96% of churches now offer online services (up from ~20% pre-COVID)
• Online views are a lead indicator for church growth
• 40% of online church viewers are first-time visitors
• The broadcast section is typically the smallest part of AV budgets
• Audio quality matters more than video quality for streaming

Guest/Host Info

Hosts: Jake Gosselin and Matt Woltjer from Churchfront

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction: The Unstuck Group Q3 2025 Report Overview 1:11 76% of Churches Now Offer Only Modern/Contemporary Worship 3:52 Declining Churches Juggle Multiple Worship Styles 6:07 Living in the Tension: Traditional vs. Contemporary 7:42 Excellence in Worship - Both Styles Can Work 10:12 Vision is Essential - Don't Lead What You Don't Believe In 12:02 Your Space Dictates Your Style Limitations 14:09 Contemporary Worship = More Online Engagement 15:51 96% of Churches Now Offer Online Services 17:01 The Cost of Broadcasting Has Decreased Dramatically 19:36 Online Streaming Doesn't Hurt In-Person Attendance 20:47 Online Views as a Lead Indicator for Growth 22:50 40% of Online Viewers are First-Time Visitors 23:07 Audio First - The Key to Quality Streaming

Resources Mentioned

• The Unstuck Group Q3 2025 Report
• ChurchTechToday
• Gitnux
• First Baptist Melbourne (traditional excellence example)
• Elevation Church (contemporary excellence example)
• Rock Harbor Church (historical building renovation example)

Discussion Questions for Church Leaders

1. Does your church currently offer multiple worship styles? What challenges has that created?
2. How can your church pursue unity while honoring different generational preferences?
3. If you're not currently streaming, what barriers are holding you back?
4. How can you improve your online presence as a "front door" for visitors?

Action Steps

1. Review your church's online metrics - are views increasing or decreasing?
2. Assess whether multiple worship styles are helping or hindering unity
3. Evaluate your streaming setup - is audio quality your top priority?
4. Consider how your building design supports or limits your worship style goals

Social Media Pull Quotes

1. "Churches trying to maintain multiple worship styles are much more likely to be declining. It's not about one style being better—it's about strategic leadership." - Jake & Matt
2. "96% of churches now stream online, and here's the kicker: online views are a lead indicator for growth. If your views are increasing, you're likely a growing church." - Jake & Matt
3. "People will watch bad video with good audio, but they won't watch bad audio with good video. Audio first, always." - Matt Woltjer
4. "Your online stream isn't competing with in-person attendance—it's your front door. 40% of online viewers are first-time visitors researching your church." - Jake Gosselin
5. "The worship wars are over. Now it's time to be one church with one vision, not two churches meeting in the same building." - Jake & Matt

Episode Tags

#ChurchGrowth #WorshipStyle #LiveStreaming #ChurchTechnology #TheUnstuckGroup #ContemporaryWorship #TraditionalWorship #ChurchAV #OnlineChurch #ChurchLeadership

Production Notes

• Include link to The Unstuck Group report in description
• Add affiliate disclosure if applicable
• Consider creating supplementary graphics showing the key statistics
• Potential follow-up: Interview with The Unstuck Group team about their methodology