An Effective Church Website

By John Bybee - newlife webdesign consultant

A Successful Website Ministry

Since the invention of the World Wide Web in 1989, the Internet has become increasingly significant as a means of communication for people of all ages. The Internet is becoming the defining medium of Christianity and the primary method for learning and faith development. The Internet knows no borders and opens a whole new world for ministry. A church website will minister to people at any time and in any place, expanding your churches outreach beyond the walls and into the world. Thus, the potential for website ministry is huge.

Church leadership must consider and evaluate the way new technologies can help a congregation minister most effectively, and have the vision to listen and speak to when and how people communicate. Accurate, clear and coherent communications are absolutely vital if a church is to effectively convey its values and identity to members and those outside the congregation.

A website is a vital communication tool and serves as your churches front door. The first exposure to your church is through your website and will make a lasting first impression. Thus, it is important that the website accurately represent your church. A church website serves congregation members, potential visitors and provides resources for others. A well planned and designed website will increase your churches efficiency and effectiveness.

A website is a cost effective way to outreach and communicate your churches ministries. An effective website is good stewardship of your congregations gifts, time and resources. Your website is an important investment in people and your churches future.

A church website is more about ministry than technology. An effective church website is most successful as a team-based ministry rather than a website project. A project can be completed while ministry is ongoing and never finished. An effective and sustained website ministry requires teamwork for two main reasons. First, growing and maintaining the website requires considerable time and commitment. A website team must gather, create, organize, edit and post content. Content is the primary focus and most important part of your church website, and is where ministry begins. A church website is continually changing and evolving, and the primary activity of the website ministry team is the frequent additions and changes to keep it updated and current. Second, web ministry requires a variety of skills and gifts, including leadership, management, writing, editing, designing and content entry. Working together in a team while serving others helps everyone grow in Christ.

Building an Excellent Church Website

The website must provide your church name and address with location map, telephone and email address, and will include main church staff names, positions, photos, personal biographies, telephone and email addresses. It will clearly state your churches beliefs, mission, core values and identity. An effective website must provide a unified, consistent, clear and coherent picture of who your congregation is and what they are about, and will provide a central focus for clear, consistent and coherent communications.

An effective website must be well designed, streamlined and organized, artistically blending content, photos, graphics, color, fonts, and technology. It must be easy to use, and may include search capabilities. Your website must be easy to maintain, update and modify.

The website will be included in church publications, advertising and voice mail, and must be consistent with worship services, sermons, and church publications. An excellent website will open doors and dramatically increase the impact of your churches ministries. It may include sermons, letters, main staff blogs, and can allow sermons, devotions and Bible studies to continue to minister for years to come. Your website can revitalize the gospel with worldwide evangelism and discipleship. It can also provide an effective way for your congregation to support and pray for peoples needs.

A well designed website will continually attract potential visitors, providing an opportunity to learn about your church prior to personally attending. It can also offer an efficient way for members and visitors to communicate with church staff.

An excellent website will attract future ministry staff, significantly impact your congregation and likely exceed expectations!