“as for me and my mouse, we will serve the lord!” pittsylvania association august 25, 2006 web...
TRANSCRIPT
“As for me and my mouse, we will serve the Lord!”
Pittsylvania AssociationAugust 25, 2006
Web 101Web 101
Why Should a Church or Association Have a Web Site?
Christians have an important message to communicate
People need to hear the Christian message... and they’re on the Internet
You can Grow your Ministry and Free Up Resources
You Need to Make a Good First Impression
Why Should a Church or Association Have a Web Site?
The internet has become the dominant window in the world culture It’s how the world communicates and learns
Computer networks are now the most crucial battleground for the minds and souls of people across the world “For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Getting Started
1. What is the mission and purpose of our church? 2. What are the most important things for
someone to know about our church? 3. Who are the constituencies we want to reach? 4. What are the strongest programs within our
church? 5. How can the web presence further that mission
and purpose and reach these constituencies? 6. What are the first steps you need to take in
order to develop the web ministry?
Getting Started
7. What do the statistics and other information tell me in regard to how I should develop my own site? www.pewinternet.org has done extensive research on how Americans use the internet including work on how we use the web for religious purposes.
8. Who are the people within the church who need to participate in some way to make the web ministry flourish? (Who do we need to get buy in from)?
9. Who could be on a team to develop the web ministry?
Getting Started
10. What kind of technology do we want to use? Host ourselves? Outsource? Template-based solutions?
11. Who and how can we develop new and fresh content for the site?
12. What can we do to promote the site?
From www.pewinternet.org
Nearly two-thirds of online Americans use the Internet for faith-related reasons.
From www.pewinternet.org
The 64% of Internet users who perform spiritual and religious activities online represent nearly 82 million Americans. 38% of the nation’s 128 million Internet users have sent and
received email with spiritual content 35% have sent or received online greeting cards related to
religious holidays 21% have sought information about how to celebrate religious
holidays 17% have looked for information about where they could attend
religious services 7% have made or responded to online prayer requests 7% have made donations to religious organizations/charities.
OK, How do We Get a Site?
1. A domain name (as little as $8.95 a year)
a.GoDaddy.comb.NetworkSolutions.com
2. A Web Host: (as little as $3.59 a month!)
a.VBMB recommends ViUX Systems (http://hosting.viux.com)
3. A Webmaster/Web team4. Web Design Software (or simply a
browser for template-based system)5. Graphics Editing Software
Two Main Types of Websites
1. Brochure Web Sitea. Same information as a printed
brochure about the church
b. Supports the ministry of the church, but is not a ministry in and of itself
c. Gives basic information about the church and what it has to offer
Two Main Types of Websites
2. Web Ministrya. Interactive site where ministry
occurs
b. Builds community
c. Provides outreach to seekers
d. Integrated part of a church’s outreach to community and beyond
Church Website Essentials
1. About us section2. Theological background3. Worship and regular event times4. Current events5. Directions6. Profiles of Pastors and staff members7. Program descriptions8. Basic Contact information
Web Design Software
Two Major Choices:
1. Microsoft FrontPagea. Advantage: similarity to rest of Office
suite
b. Disadvantages: non-standard code and potential security issues if used with Server Extensions
Web Design Software
Two Major Choices:
2. Adobe Dreamweavera. Advantages: writes standard code, very
extensible
b. Disadvantage: unique interface
Web Design Software
Companion to Dreamweaver: Contribute
Works with Dreamweaver templates; allows an average user to update a website with little to no knowledge of web design needed
Web Design Software
Template-based System:
Best known in church arena:
E-zekiel (www.e-zekiel.com) $19.95 per month and up
Allows editing of website to be done via the browser
Graphics Editor
Basic:
Free Program: IrfanView (www.IrfanView.com)
Does the basic tasks needed by most churches and the price is right!
Graphics Editor
Better:
• Paint Shop Pro
• PhotoImpact
Graphics Editor
Best:
• Adobe Fireworks
• Adobe Photoshop
Issues to Consider
1. From the earliest planning stage, the needs of non-Christian site visitors should be considered. The language and style should express welcome and hospitality.
Issues to Consider
2. Christian jargon should be avoided where possible – or explained when used.
Issues to Consider
3. Present the Gospel, or link to it.
“One online respondent wrote that while visiting many church websites she had learned a lot about churches and staff – but not how to meet Jesus. As an unbeliever she wrote, ‘It seems to me that churches would tell lost people how to be found.’”
Reaching Non-Christians
avoid “Christianese” jargon words understand non-Christians felt needs
& interests assume zero knowledge
Effective church sites
not just adding a ‘way of salvation’ page
attitude of unconditional welcome focus on people – ‘these are
normal people I’d like to be with’ real stories, pictures, and sense of
fun
Killing the jargon
‘insider language’ excludes people one of main turn-offs in Christian
communication
born again, salvation, saved, sinner, new birth, Savior, justification, Holy Spirit, testimony, evangelical, assurance, redeemed, redemption, saved, mission, outreach, repentance, witness, confess, found the Lord, have a burden
Evangelistic Strategies
Virtual tour Accessible language Answers to problems Children’s corner Games and competitions
Evangelistic Strategies
Seasonal information and special events
Humor Community news and activities,
plus start-pages Calendar of events
Evangelistic Strategies
Sermon summaries and Bible studies
An evangelistic section Evangelistic books A virtual magazine
Publicize Your Site!
Include the church URL on EVERY item of printed church material, every press release or advertisement, and on the church sign
Choose an easy-to-remember domain name
Register your site with various church-finder directories and search engines
Checklist
Welcome Language The Gospel Usability Finding the church
Checklist
Disabilities People Youth and kids Got a problem Design style
Reality Check
People don’t want to be amazed at your flashiness; they want to find information
People don’t read Web pages, they scan them
People won’t take their time at your site; they are in a hurry
People won’t visit your site every day, so don’t rely on it to be the primary communication channel
People give up quickly; provide a way to ask questions on every page
It’s up to you!
“I believe that the Internet is one of the most powerful evangelistic tools and will impact the world for Jesus Christ in this generation.” - Professor Dan Henrich, Liberty University
“See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”
- Revelation 3:8
I’m Here to Help!
I offer:
One-on-one or group training in Dreamweaver and FrontPage
Consulting on getting started on your web site
Consulting on how to improve your web site.
