ICT: Imperative Christian Thinking

I just noticed the Internet Ministry Conference, linked on Biblegateway. I haven't gone any further than the first page but I thought it was excellent to see God's people continuing to consider how to utilise ICT.

Earlier this year I was part of a small team putting together a new website for our church (as yet un-launched). The internet has become a powerful medium for communication. For churches, a website is the modern-day roadside church sign, notice board, pew sheet, and more. Like the printing press, the internet is a development in ICT. Generations ago, Christians harnessed the printing press to enhance the activities of God's people. By using the internet effectively, a church can become more effective in numerous ways — most importantly, in communicating the message of Christ.

A website should be effective on a number of levels. A church community should expect a website that engages people, both through graphic design and through written content. It should be something they are pleased to direct others to, knowing that it is an up-to-date, comprehensive point of contact with the church, and that it has an evangelistic element, effectively describing what makes the community tick. A website can even be a model for a church community in how to more effectively present Christ to others.

Through an effective website, a church can:

• Give visitors another opportunity to hear the message of Christ
• Enhance public profile and open new avenues of contact with the church
• Distill its beliefs and character and present them in a creative and engaging way
• Create a new centre of interaction for its community (through forums, blogs, etc.)
• Develop a central location for its ministry resources (e.g., sermon downloads, music database, Bible studies and small group resources)
• Provide its community with easy access to essential guiding documents (e.g., statements of belief, ministry policies, police checks)

Interested in what goes into a great church website?