The Church Revitalization Podcast – Episode 268
Guest Author: Derek Maxson
I want to invite you to consider how your website helps your church to make disciples. Our belief at Malphurs Group is that everything the church does should contribute to the accomplishment of the Great Commission mandate to make and mature disciples. In much the same as you would consider how your weekend services or VBS or small groups help your church to fulfill the Great Commission in your context, let’s look at our church websites.
Who comes to your weekend services? Members and regular attenders? Of course. How about first time visitors? Hopefully. Every weekend, in churches everywhere, hurting people drop in to church – maybe for the first time or the thousandth. These people are looking for hope and peace. They may be looking for answers or to hear from the Lord. When people walk into our churches, we can have a personal connection. A hello or a handshake or a hug.
The same three people who come to church also come to your church website. The Insider. The Shopper. The Seeker. Is your church website prepared to meet each person at their point of need?
Here’s a summary of the three kinds of visitors and what they’re looking for on your church website:
- The Insider: Peter
- Calendar & Event Details
- View service videos
- The Shopper: Zacchaeus
- Can I see myself being a part of this church?
- When / where does this church meet
- The Seeker: The man lowered through the roof
- They may be in spiritual crisis or need
- Meet their felt spiritual need and direct them to answers they seek
Let’s consider a website for the fictional “First Church.”
The homepage of First Church’s website is designed with three main paths to cater to different types of visitors. For church members (The Insider), the “What’s Happening at First Church” section provides a centralized web page with a calendar of events and details, or alternatively, event information can be shared through social media with links to the site.
For those considering a visit (The Shopper), the “Schedule A Visit” section ensures potential visitors have all the necessary information, such as photos of actual church members, the church’s address (including city and state with map links), service times, and a biography and photo of the pastor and staff. It should also include a brief “About Us” page detailing the church’s denomination, background, and doctrine, as well as a way for people to easily schedule a visit via a web form or text number.
Lastly, for individuals seeking help (The Seeker), the “How Can We Help?” section offers immediate support, including a link to a 24/7 crisis hotline (like 988) for those in urgent need. This section should feature pages addressing specific spiritual or personal crises, each including a short video or message of hope from the pastor, relevant resources, and contact options (e.g., a text link for prayer or assistance). For example, a page for those feeling hopeless might include a personal testimony from the pastor along with a number to text for help. Or consider using a chatbot on your site that can both give some AI generated answers to common questions and direct other more personal requests to a team of volunteers who provide digital hospitality.
In the age of social media and immediate feedback, having a way for people to make an immediate response to your website is essential. A contact form should be on every website but a text number or chatbot allow a more immediate response.
Your website has potential. Potential to do more than communicate event details, and show sermon videos. It has the power to be a tool for the Great Commission by extending the truth and love of your church to people in your community every minute of the day, even when people are really seeking God’s love in their deepest point of need.For more about your church website, visit www.spiffy.church for a free video course on aligning your website with your mission and some assessments that you can use to get some feedback and actionable advice on how to align your church website with the Great Commission. Use the promo code podcast for 50% through the end of 2024.
Derek Maxson is a Malphurs Group Certified Guide. Visit Derek’s Guide Page for more information and to connect with him.
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