This is the final installment in a three-part series of posts, looking at various ways in which to approach your website. Click the links to read Part 1 and Part 2
So far in this series, we've been looking at how to approach the creation of your church website, this is our final segment in the three part series.
By shifting your mindset and considering how and why people are visiting the website will greatly impact the content you put on and can even help the church focus its missional aspects; a church website should exist not only for church members but also for those who do not yet know Christ, a website is a very effective and powerful tool in this aspect.
If you haven’t yet read part two, Thinking outside of your congregation, click on the link to read how your website can be used for evangelism.
In a highly digital age, a strong web presence is essential for connecting to a world outside of the church, many visitors will look at a website before they ever step foot into the church because by doing this they can find out what to expect, making what may be a daunting process, easier.
Whilst tailoring the website with visitors in mind is a step in the right direction, along with providing key information for regular members, a website should also help people to stay connected to church throughout their week.
Monday to Saturday is where life happens, it is when people feel the most isolated, where life issues arise and the time when we really need to be doing ‘church’. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us in verses 24-25 “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
It is difficult in a non-stop world to find a regular time to meet that suits a wide range of lifestyles, it is often not by choice that people do not meet with each other in this way. The internet makes a great way for us to ‘meet’ with each other on a daily basis and a website can provide encouragement and hope during difficult times.
Social media can be an effective tool to keep members together throughout the week however it is not always the most appropriate place to share sensitive information, having a secured members area for the church will provide a safer place for information to be shared.
Having your members contact details to hand can be used in other ways too, sending regular new updates can provide much needed distraction, hope and encouragement when someone is facing a difficult moment. There are many ways to send email newsletters (we recommend MailChimp) but you can also add various widgets to your homepage such as your social media feeds or a changing bible verse to keep members updated via your website.
With Church Edit Pro, you can add forums and a members only area to your website, alternatively, we do also offer a dedicated church administration solution, iKnow Church. For more information on iKnow and how it can integrate with your website, give our team a call or visit the iKnow Church website: www.iknowchurch.co.uk
There are lots of ways that you can tailor your website specifically to integrate the church further and for more suggestions you can always give our team a call on 0121 651 1120 or email us at hello@churchedit.co.uk