When I began my career in full-time vocational ministry in 2006, whenever I asked people visiting our church how they found us, the answer was predominant: someone invited them. That was such a healthy sign for our church – when people love something, they cannot wait to invite their friends. It’s like finding the perfect burger joint; you tell everyone to try it because you thought it was so good. But today, especially after the pandemic, the world is different – people are more likely to investigate churches online before venturing into the facility – even when invited. On top of that, finding a church is much more of a “consumer” market than ever before. People are looking for alignment in what they believe and their worship preferences. And just like that, a good website, a website that provides accurate, relevant information about what your church believes, its structure, safety protocols, available ministries, its local and global impact, and a way to experience the church before you arrive on the campus, becomes extremely important.
While some churches still believe that a website is little more than an online bulletin, a means to promote what is going on in their church, get people to sign up for an event, or donate online, a well-thought-out, executed, and maintained website is also an essential outreach tool.
Mission Over Method
A little over 2,000 years ago, Jesus instructed his followers, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:19-20. Since proclaiming that powerful commission, the methods used to carry it out have often changed dramatically, while the mission has stayed the same. I’ve been around long enough to remember the “tape” ministry and how at the end of the service, a team of volunteers would quickly take the master audio recording of the message and duplicate them onto cassette tapes. That ministry evolved into burning CDs, eventually leading to podcasts. The method of delivering the timeless truth of God’s word has changed quite a bit – listening in person to a preacher in small gatherings – listening via the radio – listening to cassettes – watching on TV – streaming via the internet, but the mission remains.
Outreach
Fulfilling the Great Commission starts with a passion for reaching out to those who have not heard or believe the Gospel. Websites are powerful outreach tools that can point the way for those searching for God. A church website is an outreach tool, and when built and maintained correctly, it can reach an untold number of people. Isn’t that why people go into ministry, to share the Gospel of Jesus? It’s time to recognize that people searching for God are more likely to start on the internet than in a church. It’s up to churches to ensure those searching find a website that provides much more than a calendar of events and a way to donate. A church website is the first impression of your church and maybe Christianity for many people; churches need to make every effort to provide a great online experience. Use the website to create a safe place to explore your church, its purpose, passion, mission, and vision. Provide glimpses of the impact Jesus makes in the lives of those who follow him.
Effectiveness
Regardless of a church’s size or physical location, it’s limited by personnel and hours of operation; whereas websites are available 24/7. That means a church can communicate continuously with those searching for God and those already part of the church. Even though a website is more than an electronic bulleting or online registration tool, it can fulfill those essential communication needs in the church. A church website should provide access to information about upcoming events, allowing people to worship God financially and find the care and help they need.
Fulfilling the church’s mission requires followers of Jesus to leverage the tools of the day. Whether it’s stone tablets, parchment scrolls, bound books, or electronic devices, the mission is to make disciples. Using a website allows churches to shine the light of the Gospel for those searching for God while providing safe, clear, and effective ways to minister to those in the church.
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