Our Online Service, Hope at Home streams to three platforms:

• Website (Online Church Platform)

• Facebook

• YouTube

The link to all three can be found at cityhope.com.au/watchnow

We host an online chat on the Website (Online Church Platform) and Facebook. The best way to host them both at the same time is to right-click on the link on the above Watch Now page, and click "open in new tab".

If you don't already have one, you will need to create an account within the Church Online platform. Once you have done this, email melanie.chander@cityhope.com.au to be added as a Host.

Occasionally, for example if physical services cannot take place, or on a significant weekend in church, we will host the chat on YouTube also, but we will let you know if this is the case!

Being an Online Host comes down to four main things - welcome, discussion, moments + links, and prayer!

1. 👋🏼 Welcome:

   First, welcome each new guest into the chat area. On both hosted platforms, you can use @ tagging like on social media to welcome each guest by name. A friendly welcome can be made even friendlier by using exclamation marks, emojis, and a follow-up question to get to know them.
   
   Example: Hi @mattsmith, welcome to Cityhope Online! 🎉 We’re so happy you’re here today. How’s your day going so far?

2. 🗣 Discussion:
   
   Next, spark discussion in the chat area. You can do this by asking icebreaker questions, or recapping key points from the message. Open-ended questions—questions beginning with who, what, when, where, why, or how—are always great conversation starters.

   Example: 
   I love that Ps Mark just mentioned _____. That’s so powerful! How do you think we can apply this into our everyday lives?

3. ⁠⁠🖱 Moments + Links

   Post links for people to take a step at the relevant moment within the service. The main ones are:

   • I Made a Decision

   • Make a Difference

   • Find Your Place

   • Give (tithes and offerings)

   • Any specific links for series / upcoming events. E.g. Legacy

   
   Within the Church Online Platform, links are posted using "Moments". You will see a tab called Moments on the left of the screen - at the appropriate time in the service, click on the tab and select the moment you would like to post. On Facebook, the URL will need to be posted. You can find more information in the "Moments + Links" tab below.

4. 🙏🏼 Prayer:

   Finally, offer prayer to guests in the chat area. You can pray with people right in the chat area, or in the Online Church platform, encourage them to click the 'Request Prayer' button if they’d rather talk and pray privately. It’s amazing to see how loved people feel when someone reaches out to pray with them!

   Example: Hi @joansmith, I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your Aunty this week. Could we pray together here for you and your family? Let’s pray: God, we lift up Joan and pray that you would be with her and her entire family today. We ask that you would bring them your perfect peace and comfort, and that you would surround them with people who can encourage them in this season. Thank you for loving us and being with us in every difficult moment. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
   

BONUS: ♥️ Share something in your life. This opens the door, leading the way for guests to do the same.

• Relationships are built based on our weaknesses, not our strengths. If we are willing to share our experiences with others, our willingness to share can lead others to share as well.

• Remember that the guests who attend your service are God’s assignment for you! Jesus is with you and you can rest in the knowledge that he will help you as you serve.

• Respect each guest both in main chat as well as in host chat. Remember that each guest is a child of God, even if they don’t yet know him.

We know that God will be working through you as you serve. He will bless you with very uplifting discussions as well as those that are difficult. Don’t get down if you feel the service did not go well. Trust that God is at work. He is taking the time you have invested and will use you to reach someone no one else can reach.

• Cityhope Connect LinkTree
  
  The link cityhope.com.au/connect is the primary link to post during a service. It's always best to check the link prior to a service so you can see what is listed on there. Generally, this links to:

  • I Made A Decision

  • Make A Difference

  • Find Your Place

  • Giving (Tithes and Offerings)

  • Registrations for Upcoming Events

  • Significant moments in the life of the church, e.g. Legacy

• Facebook and YouTube
  
  To post a moment or link on Facebook, post a description/call to action and then the link, as per the table below.
  
  E.g. To partner with Legacy, click on the link below. Thank you for helping us to Rewrite the Story!
  cityhope.com.au/connect
  
  Most links will be to the cityhope.com.au/connect LinkTree, but others may be required from time to time.

• Online Church Platform
  
  Within the Church Online Platform, links are posted using "Moments". You will see a tab called Moments on the left of the screen - at the appropriate time in the service, click on the tab and select the moment you would like to post. Note that the URL is the same for some moments, but the call to action is different
  
  

• Current Moments + Links
  .

Beside the recorded service, communication at Cityhope Online is primarily written, so it lacks some of the nonverbal cues we typically use in face-to-face conversations, such as facial expressions and tone of voice. Below are some tips you can use to communicate effectively online:

1. Avoid all capsTYPING LIKE THIS can come across as virtual yelling, so use standard capitalization and be sure your Caps Lock is off.
   

2. Use emojis! Written communication can sometimes seem emotionless or impersonal, but it doesn’t have to. To convey joy, sorrow, or virtually any other emotion, try adding some emojis to your posts.
   

3. Avoid using slang or churchy words We want to make everyone feel welcome. Slang can put some people off, and churchy words (e.g. sanctified) can make others feel excluded. The best approach is to use simple language and provide explanations for any words or jargon that unchurched guests might not understand.
   
   

4. Tag a person or use someone’s name when responding.
   You wouldn’t want someone who just said in chat that their dog died to see your “That’s amazing! Praise God!” comment and think it was meant for them. @ tagging or using the person’s name helps make it clear exactly who you’re talking to in chat.

Remember, in the online realm, our communication truly ​is​ our ministry—that’s why we strive to make it as excellent as possible. Have fun, and never forget why we do what we do - JESUS!

Disruptive Behavior

If a guest continually exhibits inappropriate behavior, Hosts have the ability to mute them through the Church Online Platform. ​Muted guests can still watch the message and see chat. ​They will also see their own posts appear, but their posts will not show up to anyone else. It's always best to direct message the guest and politely ask them to stop. Sometimes it’s hard to know if it’s the right thing to do. Here are a few things to remember:

Mute a Guest When:

• they post hateful or racist remarks

• they post pornographic links or phrases

• they bully others

Don't Mute a Guest When:

• they discuss off topic things

• they have a weird username

• they say they don't like God or Christians - everyone is on a journey

• they annoy you

The prayer guide below was created by Life Church, and is an excellent resource for prayers and scriptures to encourage others in the chat.

Prayer Guide