Church Sites

What is the Purpose of Your Church Website? 

The purpose of this section is to get clear in your mind what purpose you want your church website to fulfill. Your church website is really an extension of your church. It is more than just a brochure. In some cases your website will be the front door of your church especially if you are a church planter or if you don't have a building for your church. You will find that your website is the primary public why that your church will be before the public eye.

Your Church Website is a Ministry in Your church
Can you take a minute and make a list of all the ministries in your church?
1. Small Groups
2. Sunday Worship
3. Nursery
4.
5.
6.
7.

Did you finish your list? Did you add church website to the list? Your church website can be a very effective way to connect with people who are looking for a church. Beyond just connecting with people looking for a church your website can also be a way to keep people within the church. I want you to see your church website as a ministry of your church. Please don't consider it an appendage or just optional administrative task to be completed. It can be a critical part of seeing your church grow and flourish. The only way to have this vision is to dedicate the time and care to your site.

Let's craft the vision and purpose for your church website.
How would you complete this sentence? I want to build a church website...
*Because I want one...
*Because it would be really cool to have one
*because someone at the church asked for one.
*because all the other churches around have one.
*because we just need one.

These are not acceptable ways to complete this sentence. Why? Because over time those reasons will all fade.

There are two items that are critical to the success of your website.
1. A perspective that the website is a key part of the strategy for your church.
2. Commitment and Plan to maintaining the website

Anything less than these two things will make your website seem like a bore and tedious task. Trust me, I know from personal experience. Building a site has been a par of my responsibility for 6 years and in that time, I've been faithful as well as lazy. Each time someone visits the church because they found our website, I am encouraged to keep working. My work on the computer typing and search, cropping and uploading, have purpose when people connect and begin to move closer to God.

What is your vision for your site?
If it is not to be an strategic part of your ministry with a clear focus then please quite reading now and forward this book for a friend.

Here is the vision for my church website.
For Bridge People: Build a presence online that people at the Bridge are proud to show their friends. I want Bridge people to stay informed about events and find practical help for challenges in life.
For those Searching: A place where people can "get to know" the Bridge at the comfort of their keyboards, but also be invited to be a part of the Bridge. A place where people can find Christian help for their problems.

Let me highlight a few key words.
Build: This will take work. We are going to make it easier and affordable but this will take your time and energy. It will be worth the work!
Two audiences: Bridge people and those outside the Bridge. Remember who you are building this website for.
Place: Our website is literally a place. People go there, and click and read and email us. It is a destination. Not just a poster hung online.
Be invited: My goal if for people to find us online but for them to ultimately move to being a part of the Bridge. Finding us online is only part of the concern.

What is the Vision or Purpose of your church website? Steal mine if you want but be sure that you are clear on what you want to accomplish with your church website.

Assignment: Write your church website vision or reword mine.