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.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Move beyond the monthly printed newsletter. Tell your story now!
Some non-profits, including church congregations, have not yet realized the communication world has changed. Every few months they gather stories and photos, send them to a designer or fight with a publishing program to put together an attractive newsletter aimed at their members and supporters. By the time the postal service delivers the information or people retrieve it from a church mailbox, much of it is interesting but somewhat outdated. Readers put up with it because it’s always been that way. Even stories in the daily newspapers are hours old.
Meanwhile, online, people receive up-to-the-minute information.
The production of a newsletter is usually a last-minute frenzy of writing and collecting items to meet a deadline. I’ve discovered it’s much more efficient to write and collect as things happen and publish them as soon as possible. That way, when it comes to a printed piece, all you have to do is gather the stories you have sent or posted online and reformat them for print.
A newsletter likely has an established audience, usually donors or members. However, material online expands your circle of influence well beyond those who already have a stake in your organization. Why keep good news to yourself?
When you publish a story on a website or blog, send the link via e-mail to everyone for whom you have an address. If they click on the link, it takes them to even more information about you. They may even spend time exploring other material you have posted. Encourage them to forward the e-mail to others who may be interested in what you have to say.
The communication paradigm has shifted. Don’t abandon print, but expand to all the opportunities presented by using all the vehicles available to you online.
Meanwhile, online, people receive up-to-the-minute information.
The production of a newsletter is usually a last-minute frenzy of writing and collecting items to meet a deadline. I’ve discovered it’s much more efficient to write and collect as things happen and publish them as soon as possible. That way, when it comes to a printed piece, all you have to do is gather the stories you have sent or posted online and reformat them for print.
A newsletter likely has an established audience, usually donors or members. However, material online expands your circle of influence well beyond those who already have a stake in your organization. Why keep good news to yourself?
When you publish a story on a website or blog, send the link via e-mail to everyone for whom you have an address. If they click on the link, it takes them to even more information about you. They may even spend time exploring other material you have posted. Encourage them to forward the e-mail to others who may be interested in what you have to say.
The communication paradigm has shifted. Don’t abandon print, but expand to all the opportunities presented by using all the vehicles available to you online.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
A day for social media? Who knew!
Today apparently is Social Media Day. I’m not sure who proclaimed it, but I’ll accept the opportunity to celebrate the development of the many relationship-building tools it offers.
Maybe it’s because I am a bit of a news junkie and have a natural curiosity, but I really enjoy what Facebook brings to my life. People whom I knew only by name through my work are now 3D friends. I know about their families, their special interests, their political views…all kinds of things. And I appreciate them even more for sharing their joys, frustrations, personal victories and defeats. When I read posts on my wall I am sometimes led to prayer, other times burst into laughter or simply smile at a simple reflection on life. The kind of reactions friends have when meeting face-to-face or on the phone.
The cool thing about my Facebook friends is that I often have the opportunity to meet them in person. But we don’t have to do so much “catching up” because we’ve been following each other!
Facebook builds relationships and if your Christian faith is integrated into who you are, it will be evident as you interact on social media. Friends of mine who have little or no interest in Christianity see my posts, and those of others that talk about faith issues. I know one person who is a pastor but on Facebook he is better known as an amazing photographer. He told me that as a result, he has had wonderful faith-related “conversations” with fellow photographers who otherwise may have never “friended” him.
So, happy Social Media Day! I believe the Lord has given us these new tools to share His love in new ways to His honour and glory.
Maybe it’s because I am a bit of a news junkie and have a natural curiosity, but I really enjoy what Facebook brings to my life. People whom I knew only by name through my work are now 3D friends. I know about their families, their special interests, their political views…all kinds of things. And I appreciate them even more for sharing their joys, frustrations, personal victories and defeats. When I read posts on my wall I am sometimes led to prayer, other times burst into laughter or simply smile at a simple reflection on life. The kind of reactions friends have when meeting face-to-face or on the phone.
The cool thing about my Facebook friends is that I often have the opportunity to meet them in person. But we don’t have to do so much “catching up” because we’ve been following each other!
Facebook builds relationships and if your Christian faith is integrated into who you are, it will be evident as you interact on social media. Friends of mine who have little or no interest in Christianity see my posts, and those of others that talk about faith issues. I know one person who is a pastor but on Facebook he is better known as an amazing photographer. He told me that as a result, he has had wonderful faith-related “conversations” with fellow photographers who otherwise may have never “friended” him.
So, happy Social Media Day! I believe the Lord has given us these new tools to share His love in new ways to His honour and glory.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Always keep the big picture in mind
The growth in social media is catching the attention of an increasing number of churches. They are venturing beyond websites and starting Facebook pages sending out messages on Twitter and generally exploring all the networking opportunities social media brings.
This is all good if it is done for a reason. So often we jump into the next big thing because it’s the next big thing. We need to stop and ask “Why do we want to be on Facebook or Twitter?”
Social media is just one element in an overall integrated communication strategy. Church communication embraces things like your church sign, Sunday bulletin, monthly newsletter, e-mail, posters, newspaper ads, Sunday announcements, website and vehicles like Facebook and Twitter. Each should have a defined purpose and should be related to each other.
Here are some tips (feel free to add more in the comments ):
• Your website address, Facebook name, Twitter ID and e-mail address should appear on every piece of printed material and every e-mail from your church. These are the 21st century equivalent of your telephone number!
• Your website should invite people to join you on Facebook and Twitter
• Your church sign should at least have your website address (People will find you online before they will walk in the front door.)
• Stories from your newsletter should appear on the website, not necessarily as a PDF, but as part of your website
• When a news item or new story is posted, let the followers on Facebook and Twitter know about it
• Decide what information should appear in which medium for maximum impact
• Establish an e-mail list for the congregation. Decide what information is best communicated by e-mail. Sometimes you may want to provide a link to information on your website to provide a reason for members to visit the website.
• An unsupervised, enthusiastic teenager should not be responsible for Facebook or Twitter just because they may know how it works. Content and presentation are important and require direction.
Remember, your church sign, website, Facebook page and Twitter account are the public face of your church. Your church bulletin is likely the only piece of information a visitor will take home with them.
This is all good if it is done for a reason. So often we jump into the next big thing because it’s the next big thing. We need to stop and ask “Why do we want to be on Facebook or Twitter?”
Social media is just one element in an overall integrated communication strategy. Church communication embraces things like your church sign, Sunday bulletin, monthly newsletter, e-mail, posters, newspaper ads, Sunday announcements, website and vehicles like Facebook and Twitter. Each should have a defined purpose and should be related to each other.
Here are some tips (feel free to add more in the comments ):
• Your website address, Facebook name, Twitter ID and e-mail address should appear on every piece of printed material and every e-mail from your church. These are the 21st century equivalent of your telephone number!
• Your website should invite people to join you on Facebook and Twitter
• Your church sign should at least have your website address (People will find you online before they will walk in the front door.)
• Stories from your newsletter should appear on the website, not necessarily as a PDF, but as part of your website
• When a news item or new story is posted, let the followers on Facebook and Twitter know about it
• Decide what information should appear in which medium for maximum impact
• Establish an e-mail list for the congregation. Decide what information is best communicated by e-mail. Sometimes you may want to provide a link to information on your website to provide a reason for members to visit the website.
• An unsupervised, enthusiastic teenager should not be responsible for Facebook or Twitter just because they may know how it works. Content and presentation are important and require direction.
Remember, your church sign, website, Facebook page and Twitter account are the public face of your church. Your church bulletin is likely the only piece of information a visitor will take home with them.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
How's that working out?
This year we are spending Easter away from home. While away, we will attend Easter services at another Lutheran church. So, I went on line, found a church near where we will stay and found no listing of Holy Week services. I could read about the church's Advent and Christmas schedule, but nothing for Lent, Holy Week, Good Friday or Easter!
Why do churches not understand that the first place a potential visitor will look for information is on line? Had I not asked by e-mail, I would never have discovered the time for Good Friday's service.
Lutheran Church–Canada offers each of our 320+ congregations a free listing for the times of special services on our national directory of congregations. At Christmas 83 congregations provided information. For Easter this year, 62.
Can I assume the others have updated their own information on their websites and therefore don't need a national listing?
If pastors and members look for things on line, you can be sure non-pastors and non-members are also looking online and may be looking for your church information.
It's not like websites are anything new, so what's the deal?
It all goes back to the title of this blog "Think digital first."
The local newspaper will likely be paid for an advertisement in the "religion" section but have you looked at the readership of newspapers lately? Is it money well spent from an ever-declining local budget?
Changing information on a website is free!
When our Lord rose from the dead, news spread quickly. It's a good thing He wasn't relying on church websites to spread the news!
But wait!
He is relying on churches and their websites to spread the news. How's that working out?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
