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)
1 comment:
Speaking of the St Matts website... we really should get that up and running asap!
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