5 Ways Churches Can Use Live Streaming to Combat Loneliness

Can live streaming your church services help solve one of the greatest public health crises of our time — or is it part of the problem?

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a startling and comprehensive report titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.”

Across more than sixty footnote- and date-packed pages, the report confirms what many of us active in ministry have long suspected: People are starved for meaningful connections and relationships — and over the past few years, it’s only become more pronounced. The loneliness crisis is something that churches and believers are uniquely positioned to address through faith and community.

Among the Surgeon General’s sobering findings: 

These findings aren’t limited to the U.S. Surgeon General. A 2024 American Psychiatric Survey found 30% of Americans between 18 and 34 said they were lonely “at least several times per week.” 

A systematic review of multiple longitudinal studies found that the odds of developing depression more than doubled among adults who report often feeling lonely. A further review of 63 studies revealed that these outcomes mirror the effects of social isolation on children and adolescents.

The consequences of isolation and loneliness extend far beyond increased anxiety and depression. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, lacking social connection is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Poor social relationships were actually associated with a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease and a 32% increase in the risk of stroke. 

The Church, obviously, is uniquely positioned within society to offer lonely and isolated people the opportunity to form meaningful relationships and develop strong community bonds rooted in faith in Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit led prayer, and connection with other believers. 

However, to properly address the loneliness epidemic, churches and other ministry partners must understand the roots of the crisis, and ask some difficult questions about the role technology can play in solving — or worsening — the situation.

Why People Are Lonelier Than Ever Before

The loneliness epidemic didn’t develop overnight. But the consequences of an increasingly isolated and lonely culture can no longer be ignored. 

Here’s the crisis in a nutshell:

Between 2003 and 2020, average time spent alone increased by 24 hours per month. During that same time period, time spent engaging socially with friends decreased by 20 hours per month. 

But how did we get here? If the Church wants to be part of the solution, then ministry leaders and clergy must have an adequate understanding of the factors that led us to this point. 

Here are 4 reasons Americans are more lonely than ever before. Also, as will become clear, these four reasons don’t operate independently — in fact, they often intersect and overlap to compound the issue.

#1

Sociological shifts are radically reshaping traditional family structures, local communities, and civic participation.

You could easily write an entire book on this point (and social scientists have), but, in general, there are five significant factors at play here: 

Simply put, the traditional support systems that historically offered opportunities to mitigate loneliness are in steep decline, resulting in more isolated and less resilient communities.

#2

Economic instability, higher costs of living, and a competitive job market result in social withdrawal.

Economic instability coupled with higher costs of living has significantly fueled loneliness. Financial stress and job insecurity can lead people to withdraw socially as they grapple with economic pressures. This stress often limits social participation and hampers the ability to maintain or forge new friendships.

Furthermore, those long hours and the constant pressure to perform can squeeze out time for fun and socializing.

#3

Americans are increasingly more partisan and politically polarized.

Political polarization has increasingly contributed to social isolation, as growing divides strain personal relationships and community cohesion.

According to a 2022 Pew Research report, a majority in the two major U.S. political parties view members of the other party as “more immoral, dishonest, lazy, unintelligent, and close-minded than other Americans.” Political scientists refer to these kinds of attitudes as “negative partisanship,” in which political parties are held together mainly out of sheer hatred of the other team, rather than a shared sense of purpose.

This sobering data suggests that political disagreements can lead to fractured relationships not only among friends and family, but also within communities. 

This divisiveness fosters environments where people may avoid social interactions to prevent conflict, leading to heightened feelings of loneliness. 

As individuals retreat into their ideological bubbles, opportunities for meaningful cross-political dialogue diminish, further isolating people from diverse social networks.

#4

Social media exacerbates loneliness by encouraging surface-level, transactional relationships.

While digital technology has the potential to connect, it often results in a paradox of increased loneliness. 

Studies indicate that excessive use of social media and other digital platforms can lead to diminished real-world social interactions, reducing the quality and depth of personal relationships. 

For example, while online interactions can increase the number of connections, they often lack the emotional depth of face-to-face communication, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and solitude.

5 Ways Churches Can Use Live Streaming to Fix the Loneliness Epidemic

Throughout history, churches have long served as the heartbeat of their communities, fostering a welcoming sense of belonging, offering comfort in difficult times, and infusing people’s lives with a deeper sense of purpose — all necessary to build social connection and prevent loneliness.

But, as we explored above, church attendance can no longer be taken for granted in American society. We’re more socially fractured, polarized, and isolated than ever before. 

And while technology certainly plays a role in all that, the current cultural landscape also offers the Church an opportunity to counter-intuitively leverage certain technologies — like live streaming — to facilitate connection and belonging. 
Here are 5 ways the Church can use live streaming to combat loneliness, reach people where they’re at, and bring them together.

#1

Churches can use live streaming to reach the socially isolated.

A common criticism of live streaming is that it encourages a lazy and passive church experience. However, it’s important for church leaders to remember that every viewer has consciously decided to watch your live stream despite countless online alternatives. 

This realization is particularly true of people who are unable to attend church in-person due to illness, age, or a temporary medical condition (like recovering from pregnancy). For these individuals, the ability to access your church via a live stream can be one of the primary ways they receive spiritual support and guidance during a time when they arguably need it most. 

Additionally, these are the same people who are the most at risk of reaping the consequences of isolation and loneliness. But thankfully, live streaming can reduce the most significant barrier to entry for those physically unable to attend in-person.

#2

Churches can use live streaming to increase civic engagement and participation.

Live streaming needs not be viewed as an end unto itself. In fact, a healthy (and strategic) integration of live streaming into your church’s ministry should approach live streaming as a launchpad for further engagement.

Live streaming can serve as an effective tool for promoting community service initiatives. Churches can broadcast upcoming events and highlight past successes to inspire participation. 

Furthermore, by making calls-to-action interactive — through innovations like Resi’s new QRclick feature — churches can motivate members to get involved and contribute to community betterment.

By facilitating virtual meet-ups and discussion groups, churches can connect individuals with shared interests and civic goals. These networks can lead to collaborative efforts to address local challenges, enhancing the church’s role as a catalyst for community-driven change. Live streaming these gatherings can also increase accessibility and participation, allowing more people to engage with their community.

#3

Churches can use live streaming to host community events and workshops to raise awareness around loneliness.

Oftentimes, the best approach to addressing a problem isn’t around, but through. Historically, the Church has long served a prophetic role in culture, and directly confronting the pressing issues in society with grace and compassion can be enhanced and supplemented via live streaming. 

Beyond Sunday services, churches can live stream community events, mental health workshops, or guest speaker sessions to foster education and awareness on issues like loneliness, social isolation, and polarization. 
These events can equip congregants with tools to combat loneliness in their own lives and encourage community-building, civic engagement, and seeking common ground. And afterwards, these special sessions can be uploaded and made available to watch and share on-demand through your own personalized Media Site via Resi On Demand.

#4

Live streaming and on-demand video can help churches create a consistently supportive discipleship experience.

The integration of live streaming and on-demand video into church activities presents a powerful opportunity to enhance discipleship experiences. By offering accessible resources and interactive programs, churches can support individual spiritual growth and strengthen community ties.

An on-demand video library of past sermons serves as a valuable resource for continuous engagement, which can extend the shelf-life of those teachings. Churches can curate a diverse selection of content into playlists that cover various topics and themes, catering to the spiritual and emotional needs of a wide audience. 

A media library lets members rediscover powerful messages, catch up on missed services, or explore fresh teachings whenever they want, supporting their ongoing spiritual journey outside the walls of the church.

#5

Churches can use live streaming as a conduit to in-person attendance.

Deciding to visit, attend, or join a church is never an impulsive act. 

For many, it’s a life-changing decision that shapes their community involvement, spiritual orientation to the world. They’re not just strolling into the sanctuary on a random Sunday after spotting your church sign on their way to brunch. Nope—they’re “sampling” your church online first! 

They’re checking out your social media, exploring your website, and likely watching or listening to some of your streamed services. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain and present these online “entry points” with as much care—if not more—as your church’s lobby. 

In other words, your church’s live stream could be the tether that draws an isolated and lonely person in need of community into the life-giving family of your church.

The Church as a Place of Belonging

The U.S. Surgeon General defines “belonging” as a “fundamental human need” that encompasses “the feeling of deep connection with social groups, physical places, and individual and collective experiences.” 

Churches, by the very definition, are places of belonging. There exists no secular counterpart to what the Church can offer the world. And, in a culture marked by loneliness, a sense of belonging and purpose may be the greatest hook the church can offer an isolated and polarized people.

And it will be through a combination of the old and new, the ancient and the innovative, that the Church can continue to be a place of belonging for all who seek it. And part of that process involves utilizing the technology of the present age — technologies like live streaming, social media, on-demand video, etc. — to meet people where they’re at and get them to where they need to go.