Welcome to the late 1990′s.
This entry is for all my friends, associates and casual readers who either preach at a church or attend one that doesn’t have a web site. So here’s your pal Bob’s guide to churches and websites.
What type of church needs there own website? Well, if there is more than one church in your town, then you really need to consider getting your own church website. Gone is the time when you could expect your catchy little phrase of the week on your marquee to draw in new comers and seekers. With the number of various churches in any given place more and more people are turning to the internet to scout out possible places for them to attend a church.
When was the last time you opened a phone book to look for something? My first stop is always the internet. It’s intimidating to attend a new church. When a person can gather as much information about a place before they arrive, it allows them to feel more comfortable and they are more likely to return.
If your church is serious about reaching out to seekers, then you need to give them a hand and help them out as much as you can along the way.
Paul would argue that we are to become all things to all men so that by all possible means we might save some. This would seem to fall in along those lines. Now granted, the same could be said of getting your own TV spot on cable, a radio ad or fliers, but the advantage of a website is that it is on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People can find you when they are looking.
Okay, so you know you need one, and you know why you need one, but what should you have on your site?
Well your website can function in one of two ways: An online brochure, where everything is static and you don’t have to worry about maintenance or it can function as an online interactive community for both the seeker and member.
The first one is most likely the best and easiest place to start. It should include things like pictures of your church. You would think I wouldn’t have to say it, but you would be surprised at the number of churches you don’t even have a picture of their building anywhere on the site. Also include pictures of the inside, class rooms, your sanctuary both with people and without.
Bob, why do I need to include pictures of people worshiping inside our church? Good question. Let me ask you this, is your church a “come as you are church” or a semi-formal gathering? As a seeker how do I know that? If I can see people in your congregation dressed in the fashion of your church I’ll know how I in turn should attire myself. Nothing like showing up to a new church in July wearing a t-shirt and shorts and have everyone wearing a suit and tie.
Include pictures of key staff people, your minister, youth minister, and any other various people that a new comer might want to identify, it makes them more comfortable when they attend.
Here’s one that should come as no shocker, but times for your various services and educational programs. If at all possible include how long they last and where they meet. As a parent with children its nice to know if you have a kids program during worship time or however you work it out. Include office hours for all the ministers (if they maintain them).
Also make sure that you have a place where you have a simplified overview of your core beliefs and practices. There’s no reason why you need to have 10 pages on why your church believes in post millennialism, keep it straight forward. We believe in x, y, or z. We take the Lord’s supper every week in unison, or as it’s passed. It’s all those little things that you do as part of your normal liturgy that outsiders don’t know about that will make them feel stupid if they do it wrong.
However, sometimes people want to know more so provide contact information, email address, phone numbers where people can contact the minister or leadership of your church. Maybe you want to offer a tour during the week for people to come and meet the minister and see the building when its not so stressful.
Remember, use the KISS method: Lots of makeup, flashy outfits and long tongues.
Or for the uninspired, keep it simple stupid.
Now there are some churches who want more than just an online pamphlet. They want discussion boards, minister’s sermons streaming from the web, slides from that Sunday’s worship service and a host of other services.
These sites are fine as well. But make sure your church doesn’t come across as a private club that the seeker has already missed out on. Also if you are going to offer those kinds of things it’s ESSENTAIL that you keep it up to date. Nothing like having a first time guest come to your site and your last minister’s sermon is entitled SARS and the Christian response. If you’re not going to stay on top of it, then don’t go there, it only reflects poorly on your church.
Okay. So you get it now. You need a website. You have an idea of what you want on it. The big question is HOW? How do you get a website, how do you get it built, where do you start?
Well believe it or not there’s a good chance that depending on the size of your church you have someone who’s gifted in web design sitting right in your pew. Now this is tricky ground so think before you act. There are a lot of people out there who think they’ve got “skillz” who simply don’t. Do you really want your first impression to the seeker to be a hot pink website with a rotating email button on the bottom?
It may seem shallow but a lot of people really do judge a church by it’s website (or lack there of). I don’t mean to offend or pick on anyone, but while it’s not much to look at, I’d choose to attend the Cincinnati Christian University ( http://www.cincybible.edu ) over Great Lakes Christian College ( http://www.glcc.edu ) just over their website.
Look first in your own church to see if you have the resources to get you started. If not, then consider other churches of a similar fellowship and see if they might be able to point you in the right direction. Or, God forbid, you have to bite the bullet and pay a professional to do it, then that’s what you need to do.
There are lots of Christian web designers out there who are trying their best to make a living. Do some research. If you need a list of names, I can help you out and give you some names. Considering using a local company in the town you live. What better way to make new friends and have an opportunity to share your good news with them.
A website can cost you anywhere from $500 to $5000 (or more). You are going to need a domain name (http://www.yourchurch.com) and a place to host your website. A good company and help you get that setup. But be informed, you can get hosting and name from a place like www.ipowerweb.com for $7.95 a month, so don’t let them screw you on cost.
As a last resort, you can always take a class or two at your local college and learn how to do the basics yourself (or send someone else!). Hire someone to build your shell and can maintain the content as you need to.
Whatever way you decide to go, know that people are searching for a new church all the time, and you cannot be found if they don’t know you exist.
Your website is an important part of your out-reach ministry. It can be a lot of work. That’s okay, turn it over to someone else. Allow them to share in the work and let them share in the joy of ministry. As a minister you don’t have to do everything.
If you have any questions or just need some advice, feel free to drop me a line and I can point you toward people who can help you.
Looking for inspiration? Check out http://www.greatchurchwebsites.org (.com is fun too)
Posted by Don Quixote
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Always a sucker for a good book, I decided to take Regan Clem’s recommendation and pick up a copy of Battle Royale.
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