Church Shopping? (Gospel, Lutheran, women, churches)

[Hoosier]

Do you go to church? Do you church shop on the web? Do you feel like there is little reason to go to a churches website? Well I've got a question for you!

I'm creating a website for a church and would like some input from my CD Christianity forum friends.

• When you're looking for a church, what type of information would you like to see on their website?
• If you're a member of a church, what type of information would you hope to find on your site?
• Another area on the site that I'd like to develop is a Kids, Tween and Teens area. Any ideas or thoughts on what Christian kids would be interested in?

[freedom]

I like to know if they have a healthy supply of doves.

What brand of coffee they serve

Do they have a building program that i'll need to prepare for emotionally and financially.

Does the pastor preach Christian lite so i won't feel convicted of living like everyother non-believer.

Is the youth program stocked with a good size stage, and sound system so the kids get a real american idol feel.

Are there lots of activities and distractions, so the kids won't have to learn how to be like Christ?

This seems to be the best format for a successful business....um Church...

godspeed,

freedom

[twin.spin]

I would want to see a statement of belief. More than just, "we're Christian because we use the Bible" For instance under beliefs would have a sub-menu. From the drop sub menu with categories like:

Doctrinal statements
Role of Men & women in our church
Mission objectives
Our beliefs
The Bible, how we view it
Sacraments
organizations
school (if there is one)
Q\A

plus the web site would be more successfull when the "design" doesn't look like a "free web site designer" cookie cutter type. (This is from experience from churches in our area)

[HsvMike]

Originally Posted by twin.spin

I would want to see a statement of belief. More than just, "we're Christian because we use the Bible" For instance under beliefs would have a sub-menu. From the drop sub menu with categories like:

Doctrinal statements
Role of Men & women in our church
Mission objectives
Our beliefs
The Bible, how we view it
Sacraments
organizations
school (if there is one)
Q\A

plus the web site would be more successfull when the "design" doesn't look like a "free web site designer" cookie cutter type. (This is from experience from churches in our area)

I agree, I think Twin is right on. I would definitely want to see what they do and don't believe.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by twin.spin

I would want to see a statement of belief. More than just, "we're Christian because we use the Bible" For instance under beliefs would have a sub-menu. From the drop sub menu with categories like:

Doctrinal statements
Role of Men & women in our church
Mission objectives
Our beliefs
The Bible, how we view it
Sacraments
organizations
school (if there is one)
Q\A

plus the web site would be more successfull when the "design" doesn't look like a "free web site designer" cookie cutter type. (This is from experience from churches in our area)

That's what all the other sites do.

How is he going to stand out?

godspeed,

freedom

[driftwoodpoint]

We live in a university town so our church has Cobblestone 101 which is an introduction to the church. Then you take Cobbletstone 202 if you are interested in becoming a member. They are light-hearted but is a place to get information and have your questions answers.
We also have a newsletter that comes on our email and of course a hard copy for those without computers.
They have info on
Statement of faith
Our motto which is..."Loving people into life changing encounters with Christ"
Programs for all age groups.
levels of the youth programs
Missions
Ways you can be envolved within the church
Ways you can serve in the communtiy
We have a large small group system with at least 12 home groups that meet during the week. You can plug in and get to know a small group well.
I would want to know where the money goes % to admin, missions, etc.
Our church is young, only about five years and we are growing like a weed. They preach the Gospel and that's what people need to hear.

[studedude]

A statement of faith
A statement of purpose
Short bio on staff members
Programs available for youth & children
Times of services and bible study
Activities during the week
E-mail address of staff
Security measures to protect children
Phone numbers
Directions
Are special parking places available for guests

These are in the order they came into my head not order of importance.

[TravisW]

Originally Posted by Hoosier

Do you go to church? Do you church shop on the web? Do you feel like there is little reason to go to a churches website? Well I've got a question for you!

I'm creating a website for a church and would like some input from my CD Christianity forum friends.

• When you're looking for a church, what type of information would you like to see on their website?
• If you're a member of a church, what type of information would you hope to find on your site?
• Another area on the site that I'd like to develop is a Kids, Tween and Teens area. Any ideas or thoughts on what Christian kids would be interested in?

I'm on the church website redesign committee now, so I guess I'll be in the same boat as you in short order.

I'm right on the same line as Twin Spin on this one. A statement of beliefs is very important, particularly if your congregation is part of a denomination that has some pretty divided opinions on hot topics.

Also, I want office contact info for all of the staff. I want information on services, sunday school, bible studies, and other such things.

Many church websites are so geared toward attracting new members that they tend to neglect existing members. There are lots of ways that your church website can also be made to serve people--posting audio clips of sermons and sermon notes online, posting daily devotions online, having an "ask the pastor(s)" section where people can anonymously submit questions.

I'll be watching this thread closely for more ideas. In the meantime, my church website is Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D.. Feel free to let me know what recommendations you may have for me!

[Hoosier]

I really like your navigation. It's set up nice and is clean. The home page needs to be more interactive and brighter. I would really recommend getting rid of the gray background. It give the site a depressing feel. Update the audio library and put 2007 in the archives. From a user's standpoint, not a lot must be going on at the chuch if the last audio entry was in late '07. Something to consider.

I like the ask a pastor idea. I think it would be good to put something in the teen's area about "Got a problem? Don't know where to turn? Talk to us anonymously". Not the wording, but the concept.

[SeekerSA]

Dynamicdrive.com have a useful script to hide emails from spam bots while it still appears as a clickable email addy onscreen.