the importance of parish websites to your ministry first contact brian funk-kinnaman communications...
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THE IMPORTANCE OF PARISH WEBSITES TO YOUR MINISTRY
First Contact
BRIAN FUNK-KINNAMANCOMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Scenario
On any Sunday, your church’s greeters at the door are engaging with people and hand your visitor the church bulletin.
The organist is playing the prelude and creating a prayerful space.
There has been a great sermon series on evangelism which includes inviting your friends to church.
It takes a lot of courage, but you finally invite your friend. To your surprise, they say yes!
They then go home and just to be sure. [Because they like you but they don't know your church] They "check" your church out online.
cont.
Your church website is managed by the church secretary, who got their nephew and niece to put something together because they understand all that kinda stuff and they spend far too long on Facebook anyway.
And all that good work is undone. In a single click.
They call and make the indefinite raincheck excuse.
Excuses to Not Have An Updated Website or Even Have a Web Presence
Small congregation with no clergy“We don’t have time to make one.”“We don’t know how to make one.”“We don’t have the money.”etc.
Reasons to Have an Up-to-date Church Website
EvangelismGrowthEngagementAnd so much more!
5 Things Great Church Websites Have
1. It is obvious they have invested into the website
2. The website is mobile friendly3. They write for visitors4. They explain what a first time visitor needs
to know5. They make the visitor feel something
positive about the church
6 Pieces of Content for Every Church Website
1. Your street address, city, state and zip code – with a link to a map (Google has a great tool for embedding a map right on your website at http://maps.google.com)
2. Photos of people, looking at the camera, looking joyful3. The names of leaders at your church (including positions)
and some information about them (bio, what they read, movies they like, something about WHO they are)
4. Worship/service times, with a brief description of each, in easy to grasp, experiential language.
5. What to expect when they arrive. Anticipate the “anxiety questions” that newcomers have.
6. Your phone number, fax number, email address and any other way people can contact you
Anxiety Questions
1. Where do I park?2. How do I dress? (And don’t say “wear
anything!” as this doesn’t actually reduce the anxiety, especially, for women)
3. Do you have childcare? Can I bring my kids?4. Can I participate/receive communion?5. Are you Christians? Or How do you feel
about non-Christians/seekers/agnostics?
Who is Your Website For?
In order of importance: Newcomer church-seekers who know nothing at all
about The Episcopal Church, Anglican Christianity, or your parish history
Experienced Episcopalians who might be in town for a Sunday or have just moved
Parishioners People interested in getting married People wondering about the Christian faith
Some of Our Successful Church Websites
http://stjamesepiscopal.episcopalky.org/index.html
http://www.calvaryepiscopal.orghttp://www.gracepaducah.nethttp://www.stfrancisinthefields.orghttp://www.stlukesanchorage.orghttp://www.stmatthewsepiscopallouisville.orghttp://www.stpauls-henderson.orghttp://www.stthomaslouky.org
How to Build or Redesign a Website
Step 1: Organize a Committee
Find a couple of volunteers who are willing to dedicate their time and talent Talents needed:
Ability to write well Have an extensive knowledge of your church Newcomer or Outside perspective
Contact your Communications Director
Step 2: Answer the Question “Who Are We?”
Sit down with prayer and truthfully answer: “Who are we as a church?” “What are the first 5 things that come to mind when I
think of my church?” “What impact does my church have in our
community?” “Why would I want to invite someone to my church?”
Step 3: Build Sitemap
A site map (or sitemap) is a list of pages of a web site accessible to users. It can be a document in any form used as a planning tool for Web design typically organized in hierarchical fashion. Browse other churches for ideas Keep It Simple. You can always expand later on.
Sample Sitemap (http://www.gracepaducah.net) I’m New Who We Are What We Do Resources News & Events Contact Us
Step 4: Gather Resources
Write copy for each page in your sitemap. Consistency is key!
Collect images to use throughout your website. If you don’t have any or very few, then task someone to take pictures for the website over the course of a couple months. Remember:
Joyful people in lieu of buildings Show your ministries Be true to who you are
Step 5: Choose a Web Platform
This is the step where typically the talent in a congregation runs out, so…Call your Communications DirectorPlatforms
SquareSpace Digital Faith WordPress and many more…
Don’t be afraid of paying annually for a website.
Step 6: Choose a design
Provide whoever is designing your website with: the answers to your “Who Are We?” questions Any files you have of church logos and the images you
collected Honest and realistic website management resources
within your congregation Credentials to access and edit your domain name
Step 7: Edit design
Edit, edit, edit, edit
Step 8: Publish!
Set a day to publish the new websiteEnjoy!
Step 9: Manage Your Website
Keep up your website management responsibilities.
An outdated website is a huge turn off to visitors
Sources
http://www.stevefogg.com/2010/01/28/why-good-design-really-matters/
http://www.fatherchristopher.org/?p=1012http://www.stevefogg.com/2014/09/11/best-ch
urch-websites/
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/top-5-your-website
http://www.stevefogg.com/2014/10/30/tips-ideas-strategies-church-communications/