Is it time for a website tune-up?

It's an interesting exercise to surf church websites. Thankfully, there are a good number who have moved past the basic information, added strong visuals and provide an excellent introduction to who they are. Summer may be a good time for you to take a look at your site so it's in good shape for fall.


A website is your congregation's face to the world. Anyone interested in visiting your church will likely go there first.

These are the people who will arrive at church and use the front door. Members may also use the front door, but they may also know other entry points.

This analogy may be helpful in developing your web presence.

For those raised in the church with its unique language (catechism, narthex, VBS etc) it's not easy to think like a person with no exposure to church life. Yet, that is a growing percentage of our population.

Take the challenge and review your site as if you have no church background. What does "Lutheran confessions" mean? What is "Adult Catechesis?" What is VBS? Is it not easier to say "Lutheran beliefs," “Christian basics for Adults” and “Children's Bible Camp” or other words that communicate meaning beyond the church?

We are dealing with a similar world as the first century Christians. We cannot assume anyone has an understanding of Christianity 101. I remember a religion professor at Concordia University College telling me how so many students had had never opened a Bible let alone understand the concept of "chapter and verse." Think about these people when you look at your website.

Other than a wedding, funeral or maybe a baptism, those looking at your site may have never entered a church.

For members, it's another story. You may want to consider creating a different door for them, somewhere you can communicate specific information. Rather than a "members" tab which can give the impression of the church being an exclusive club, create a different domain name or sub domain like members.YOURCHURCH.ca or www.YOURCHURCHmembers.ca. It's not a huge cost and you can create a redirect to send the address to an "inside" page on your existing website. It's a page visitors may find with enough digging, but on your members can bookmark and check the latest news.

Your website is like your church sign, only it’s available to the world. How it looks, how accessible it is and what it says communicates who you are to those who visit.

Keep your site current, visually attractive and user friendly for the non-churched web surfer.

The perils of life on line

Paul must have had Facebook in mind when he wrote about everything being permissible but not everything being beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). It reminds me of the man whose wife cautioned him not to say aloud everything that comes into his head.

One of the things you quickly learn about being online is that there is little distinction between personal and professional life: you are who you are. And on Facebook, anonymity doesn’t exist.

Younger people especially are finding this presents some difficulties. Being “out there” on line may offer potential employers insight into your life that could cause them to consider hiring someone else.

There have been times I’ve wanted to vent or post a caustic comment and then remembered that my profile says I am a Lutheran Christian, and I am director of communications for Lutheran Church–Canada as well as listing family and friend connections. I am allowed to post those comments, but are they of benefit? Will they edify or do they lead me into dangerous 8th commandment-breaking territory?

Facebook is an open arena. Unless I restrict access to specific groups, what I post on my wall is open for the world to read. That “world” includes fellow members of my congregation, pastors, believers and unbelievers. Jesus doesn’t tell us we are the light of the world only when we decide to be. We are the light of the world 24/7/365 on Facebook, when tweeting on Twitter, sending e-mail messages or in any kind of one-to-one interaction online or face-to-face.

Am I guilty of ever crossing the line? Yes.

Do I seek your forgiveness for any offence I may have caused? Most definitely.

Do I keep a more careful eye on what I’m posting? You bet.

Do I suggest it’s always a good thing to remember who you are and Whose you are? What do you think?

Are these my final thoughts on this matter?

Likely not, but allow me to quote our Lord in words He used when explaining the parable of the sower: “Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

We’re sowing some kind of seed online. Let’s make sure it’s the right kind.