This may be a small point, but an important one nonetheless. The ninth reason why your church should invest in a website is because it establishes a resource center. A website is an excellent place to set up resources and information specifically for your church members, but also for other people.
Once a website is in place, the next step for your church might be to expand it. You may already have basic visitor information like contact info, service times and mission statement. But there's so much more you can add.
Membership Directory
Your church might have a printed membership directory with the pictures, names and contact info for each member. My church does, and it's really nice to have! But there are a few problems with these printed directories:
Church membership directories can be stored on your church website, though. You can have everything a printed directory has - plus it's easier to update, available to everyone and less expensive.
Childcare Worker Rotation List
If you have a rotation list for childcare workers, it can be difficult to make sure everyone's in the loop. Like a church directory, people need to know when things change. Putting a childcare worker rotation list on the website is a great way to minimize these challenges.
Recommended Biblical Material
Many people struggle with reading the Bible as a spiritual discipline. Others need help finding Bible-based resources to teach their kids, navigate married life, etc. In light of this, you could have a place on your website for recommended biblical material - things like Bible reading plans, kids' resources, Christian websites and other Christian resource centers.
A website can become an important resource center for those in the church.
That's it! Next week we'll look at the final reason why your church should invest in a website: it prepares your church for the future. If you have any thoughts or questions, please leave a comment.
This post is part of the series "10 Reasons Why Your Church Should Invest in a Website."
Once a website is in place, the next step for your church might be to expand it. You may already have basic visitor information like contact info, service times and mission statement. But there's so much more you can add.
Let me give you some details.
Your church can store all kinds of helpful material on a website that may otherwise be unavailable to church members. Here are some specific examples of what might be included in this resource center:Membership Directory
Your church might have a printed membership directory with the pictures, names and contact info for each member. My church does, and it's really nice to have! But there are a few problems with these printed directories:
- What if there's a typo? You can't fix it once it's printed - and where words are many, typos are not far.
- What if someone's contact info changes? Again, you can't fix it in the directory.
- Church directories get outdated quickly, unless you print a new one every year. Kids grow up. People leave. New people come in. A printed directory can't reflect these changes.
- Not everyone may have your church directory. It may take a while before new members receive a directory. And, some people could misplace it or accidentally damage it.
Church membership directories can be stored on your church website, though. You can have everything a printed directory has - plus it's easier to update, available to everyone and less expensive.
Childcare Worker Rotation List
If you have a rotation list for childcare workers, it can be difficult to make sure everyone's in the loop. Like a church directory, people need to know when things change. Putting a childcare worker rotation list on the website is a great way to minimize these challenges.
Recommended Biblical Material
Many people struggle with reading the Bible as a spiritual discipline. Others need help finding Bible-based resources to teach their kids, navigate married life, etc. In light of this, you could have a place on your website for recommended biblical material - things like Bible reading plans, kids' resources, Christian websites and other Christian resource centers.
To wrap things up . . .
Like visitor information, the best place to store these church resources is on a website. If you're concerned about non church members accessing this info, though, you can make the content password protected.A website can become an important resource center for those in the church.
That's it! Next week we'll look at the final reason why your church should invest in a website: it prepares your church for the future. If you have any thoughts or questions, please leave a comment.
This post is part of the series "10 Reasons Why Your Church Should Invest in a Website."
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