| In 1995 I started building and marketing | | | | care so much about them. It would be like trying to |
| Christian-oriented websites. That makes me one of | | | | recruit students for a beginner's cooking class by |
| the veterans of the net. I was still in my teen years | | | | arguing over which garnish was proper for a plate at |
| and saw the Internet as the mature version of | | | | the banquet of Trimalchio (don't ask).Make your church |
| Nintendo. Besides, the excitement of my learning permit | | | | website matterProvide information that matters to |
| lost its glow after the third or fourth drive with my | | | | your audience. Articles on parenting, marriage and |
| parents.My parents, by the way, would occasionally | | | | financial stewardship might be a descent start. |
| become frustrated with me and tell me to "Get off | | | | However, if you want to truly have a shot at bringing in |
| that computer and get in bed! It's 1 A.M.!" I eventually | | | | outsiders with your church's website, have the |
| obeyed, but I don't regret those late nights of learning | | | | members of your congregation write about their areas |
| and building for the future. Today I simply tell them that | | | | of expertise. For example: If you have a computer |
| I was preparing for my career.Most churches did not | | | | expert in the congregation, ask him/her to write some |
| have a website in those days. In fact, the idea of a | | | | articles on common computer problems and how an |
| church having a website was actually being debated | | | | average user might fix them. Or if you have a doctor |
| by some churches and denominations. "Is it scriptural?" I | | | | in the congregation, have him write articles on keeping |
| remember hearing several times. In fact, even as late | | | | children healthy or symptoms that warrant a doctor's |
| as the year 2000 I was actually reprehended by a | | | | visit. Or ways to lose weight.Use your imagination. If |
| self-appointed church leader for making a very basic | | | | you have a coach in the congregation, you could have |
| website for a church where I youth ministered. He | | | | him write an article about lessons kids can learn from |
| couldn't quite put his finger on it, but I had done | | | | sports and include a Bible verse with it such as |
| something too new for his taste--and that just had to | | | | "Whatever you do, do your best as if you are working |
| violate some scripture, some where.We've matured | | | | for God" (Colossians 3:23). A coach could even write |
| beyond that now except for extreme and absolutely | | | | an article about how parents should not push their |
| silly situations that aren't even worth mentioning."So | | | | children into sports or be poor examples by yelling at |
| webmaster, hurry up and tell us something useful!"So | | | | umpires.Maybe you write seasonal articles about the |
| you want to use the Internet to reach the lost?Okay, | | | | local highschool football team that includes games |
| but remember that just because something is new and | | | | statistics and names of those who made key |
| trendy doesn't mean it's effective. However, through | | | | contributions in games. Write about other local events |
| my work on the Internet I have come to believe that it | | | | in order to reach those in your community.At the end |
| can be very effective in reaching people. One | | | | of all of the articles have something like, "From your |
| example is what happened to the movie Gigli that | | | | friends at the Harpeth Church, located at 555 |
| featured mega stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. | | | | Whatever Street.. If you would like someone to to |
| The marketers spent a jaw-dropping amount | | | | pray with you or study the Bible call us at 555-7733. |
| promoting the movie and with expectations of being | | | | We care."Obviously this doesn't replace your outreach |
| the "movie of the year," it had a very large opening | | | | efforts or actual participation in community events. But I |
| weekend.Then the teenagers and twenty somethings | | | | believe churches should use every tool available to |
| struck.They blogged and posted in forums with | | | | reach the lost. And if you're thinking about having a |
| statements like, "Overrated." "Stay at home." Or | | | | church website or improving the one you have, these |
| "Watch anything else."The movie flopped."In the old | | | | strategies will have you on the right path. Ask |
| days, there used to be a term, 'buying your gross,' " | | | | members of your church to link to the church site from |
| Rick Sands, chief operating officer at Miramax, told the | | | | their personal websites and you are well on your |
| Los Angeles Times. "You could buy your gross for the | | | | way.In my opinion, the Internet is another way of |
| weekend and overcome bad word of mouth, because | | | | becoming "all things to all men." It's another way to use |
| it took time to filter out into the general | | | | your congregation's gifts to help people and "in any |
| audience."Those days are gone with blogs and | | | | way possible" lead them to Jesus. It also involves the |
| message forums that allow the "average person" to | | | | congregation in evangelism and might prime the pump |
| act as movie critic.So what does that mean to the | | | | for other evangelistic activity.Go into all the |
| church? It means that the Internet can give most | | | | ====================== |
| anyone a voice--even a church.In terms of a church | | | | Note: This article may be freely reproduced on other |
| website, you're not going to accomplish much of | | | | websites as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at |
| anything if your site simply features your address, | | | | the bottom of this article is included and all links are |
| phone number and "worship times." Sure, your | | | | active with no syntax changes. This note may be |
| members might know how to call the church building to | | | | removed when the article is published on your website. |
| borrow tables for their garage sales, but that's about all | | | | |
| you can expect.Putting articles on your church website | | | | ================Lee Wilson founded |
| is certainly a good thing--especially if they are on topics | | | | Grace-Centered Magazine and has spoken on many |
| that pull in the "average" person. Be careful that you | | | | lectureships and Christian events. He co-wrote "The |
| don't "preach to the choir." A church website is | | | | Real Heaven: It's Not What You Think" and speaks to |
| probably not the place for major doctrinal studies and | | | | churches about how misconceptions and incorrect |
| statements. That's what your member-attended Bible | | | | teachings about Heaven cause the world to turn away |
| classes are for.If you truly want to be evangelistic, | | | | from Christianity. Lee also founded Real Christian |
| your target audience won't have a clue what some of | | | | Singles, a website that helps Christian singles form |
| your doctrinal words and beliefs mean or why you | | | | godly relationships. |