Church Websites - Good, Bad, Needed???

Many churches, especially older and smaller churches, struggle with the need for a website. They often feel there's really no reason to spend the time and money on a website when everyone in town already knows they are "there."

The problem is that their thought processes are flawed in several ways:

• First, not nearly everyone in town knows they are "there." Many times people in a neighborhood are asked about the church "down the street" and their answer is, "What church?" They get so used to their neighborhood they don't even notice a church in their midst.
• People are constantly moving today - even in a small town. There are always new people in town who might be looking for a church home. Especially if they are younger families, they will tend to use the internet and social media to find a church.
• Even if everyone in your area knows you exist, they usually don't have the correct impression of who you are and what you stand for. People today tend to get their view of "church" from the media, and it's not usually a healthy or accurate view.
• People's lives are in constant turmoil, which makes them more open to contact with your church. You must offer helps to them that are sensitive to today's problems and make them aware of your offer to help.

It is more and more important in our world for your church to have a great presence on the web and on social media. As a minimum, you need a responsive website that will work on any device and a Facebook page. Both must be kept current and must fairly represent your church in your community.