Reaching Today's World

[McDLT]

What ways can we reach the postmodern world in regards to the church website?

Would love to hear some ideas. Thanks :)

[David Gillaspey]

Hi Dawn,

Some example postmodern (in my opinion) church websites are listed in this thread:

http://www.greatchurchwebsites.org/forums/showthread.php?t=61

But to answer your question, here are some suggestions:

Postmoderns value the arts in worship, so you'll want to incorporate the arts in your website. Reproductions of paintings of Biblical scenes done by the masters, stained-glass art, or iconic art (as in Catholic and Orthodox churches) -- as backgrounds -- would be particularly appealing to postmoderns. Try to incorporate such art into your site.

Postmoderns value religious symbols such as the cross. (By contrast, seeker-sensitive, baby boomer-oriented churches tended to do away with any overtly churchy appearances including religious symbols.) Consider incorporating religious symbols of various kinds onto your website. (But no animated gifs, please!) Make sure the symbols are understandable by all: Doves as symbols of the Holy Spirit, for example, I think would only be understood by Christians.

Postmoderns are attracted to spiritual-mystical settings (like incense, candles, etc.). I'm not sure how you would put candles on a website, however. But I think the effect could be achieved, again, through choice of art.

Postmoderns value community. Consider offering a forum and/or blogs, therefore. (Although, speaking from experience, it's hard work launching and growing a forum.) Emphasize the community aspect of your church in other ways, too. For example, emphasize "potluck" meals and other community gatherings of your people.

Postmoderns are very missional. They are attracted to churches that really do the mission of Christ (feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc.), not just talk about it. Consider emphasizing on your website those activities of your church that fall into this category. (Or provide videos of missional activities and mission trips.)

Postmoderns are experiential. They don't want to just sit and listen to a pastor dispense "truths." They want to participate in the learning. Forums and blogs might help to achieve this on a website, as well as various directed learning activities.

Postmoderns, having been exposed to many religions and these religions' beliefs, are less inclined to take "Jesus is the only way to get to heaven" at face value. You'll need to find other ways to share the Gospel. In particular, postmoderns want to know how Christianity is relevant to their lives. Consider providing written or video testimonies of people whose lives have been changed by Christ. See these links for examples:

http://www.valleycreek.org/ (link to video at bottom right)
http://church-redeemer.org/a/php/content/dispContent.php?root=resources&page=testimonies
http://www.victorywc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=159http://www.diveintoflood.com/experience/stories/baptism/index.php

For postmoderns, you want to emphasize, on your website, that Christianity is an ancient religion. (Use of religious art from the masters would be one way of achieving this effect.)

Explain Christianese like "gospel, " "Armageddon," and "sanctification" to visitors.

In seeker-sensitive churches, the scriptural message is communicated primarily through the spoken word. Post-modern churches use a mix of spoken words, visuals, art, silence, testimony, and story. The trick is to translate that to a website. For example, go beyond making the sermon available just as an audio recording in MP3 or Real format. Considering using SMIL (http://www.w3.org/AudioVideo) (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) to marry words and visuals on the fly.

Postmoderns don't share our Judeo-Christian worldview. For them, it's important to start from the beginning (Garden of Eden) and tell the story of creation and the origin of sin, over and over again.

In baby-boomer churches (modern worldview churches), people learn Scripture on Sundays (during the preaching). Postmodern churches encourage people to read and study the Bible on their own throughout the week. Consider providing a daily or weekly Scripture reading passage (for people to read) on your site with accompanying devotional guide.

My thoughts, anyway.

Sincerely,

David Gillaspey
President
Great Church Websites

[flutem3]

Hi to one and all,

I am in the beginning stages of putting together a website which is aimed at outreach. I have just a glimmer of an idea at this time. But I have designed a logo for it which just sort of popped into my head an element at a time. I am pleased as anything about that.

I have two specific questions here in the beginning:

1. In your collection wisdoms who do you think are most receptive to gospel
outreach? This is not going to be a high powered site in the way some sites are. It is going to be simple and specific, I hope. At least that is my thinking right now.

2. In your opinions if an "unchurched" (Isn't there a better word than unchurched that we can use?) person is searching, what kinds of words will he/she be typing into a search engine?

As you can see, I am thinking of the beginning of the website and the end at the same time. I appreciate your time and thought.

Thanks.

Carol

[mrbelfry]

Hi Carol

Those are big questions you've asked! My opinion is I don't know - which probably isn't very helpful.

1) If I think of the people in my church then there doesn't seem to be a common thread about how receptive they were/are to the gospel. I would guess that the people most responsive to the gospel are those that are looking for answers. Maybe you could base your site around an FAQ.

2) Thinking back to when I got saved. If I'd have been looking for answers on the internet I'd have been searching for stuff about creation. If my mum had been looking she'd have wanted to know what that building was that was being built on the old school! If my sister had been looking she'd have looked for ways to get out of the family housework on a Sunday.

I guess my point is that we all come to Christ for different reasons. My guess is that an 'unchurched' person would look for generic terms like 'God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Church' or something like that.

-lol sorry I'm not much help

[cwgraves]

The internet is a great evangelistic tool! But, knowing what keywords to expect is going to be an ongoing effort.

I would probably try things like, God, family, relationships, spirituality, Jesus, cross, hurting, suicide, abortion, pregnancy, death, etc...

Try to think of terms and words that people would use if they are seeking God. When people are in the middle of a crisis, they are more open to the things of God.

I would keep track (using WebTrends or other web log tracking program), of the terms being passed from the search engines and tweak the keywords as time goes on...

[flutem3]

Curtis wrote:

The internet is a great evangelistic tool! But, knowing what keywords to expect is going to be an ongoing effort

Hi, Curtis,

Thanks for your time. I understand that the keywords are going to be an ongoing effort. I just wanted to get some ideas besides my own. Right now, I am trying to find a title for the website that hasn't been used by people and/or can take a person to an undesirable place. I thought I had been clever, but I hadn't so I am going to have to think some more. Right now, I am doing some design work on paper. That is still my medium of choice even when it comes to writing. I know. Just chalk it up to the way I was taught or some such thing. :)

Curtis, what kind of background do you have? You sure seem to know a lot about computers, programming, etc.

Thanks again,

Carol

[cwgraves]

Carol,

I have a background in computer programming and design, with a heavy emphasis on websites since the start of the internet. I've been a developer since 1983. I also have been involved in ministry for about 17 years and have been an associate pastor and children's pastor part of that time.

With my combined background, the Lord has really blessed me with the ability to see both sides of the picture. I know what churches need from a pastors perspective, an end users perspective, and have the technical training to make it happen. Thank God!

My heart is to combine both skillsets and help churches have the best websites they can have with the least amount of effort on their part. I know what it is like to work with volunteers and when it comes to the web ministry, there is a lot of education that needs to happen.

[flutem3]

Curtis wrote:

I know what it is like to work with volunteers and when it comes to the web ministry, there is a lot of education that needs to happen.

Hi, Curtis,

My apologies for not looking up your experience. I realize that you told us that before. When you say that a lot of education needs to happen, that must be the understatement of the year! :D For I am one of whom you speak. And I know it well. But I keep chugging along. And, of course, this is a good place to learn. UMConnect which is a forum on www.umc.org is also responsive to our difficulties.

One thing I have noticed is that when people of experience try to help those of us with little experience, they often overlook the basics...not you in particular. It is just something I have noticed over time. On UMConnect I am known for asking a question to which a person will respond, "My goodness, I haven't thought about that for years." And he/she may have difficulty explaining the answer as well. But that is what keeps it lively and valuable for those who have little knowledge and those who have lots of it.There is always so much more to learn!!! And that's the truth!

Thanks,

Carol

[cwgraves]

I probably should have been more specific on the "more education is needed" statement.

Yes, there is always something to learn regarding web development. However, the main direction I feel is lacking is the whole attitude of why have a website, who is the target audience, fancy graphics versus content, etc...

The education is not so much in the technical development side of things, although that also needs to happen. I'm talking more along the lines of educating the pastors and lay people about the whole concept of a "living application". A website is (or should be) a dynamic, living application. People should get so excited about the website, that they can't wait to come back the next day! How many sites is this happening to? Not many church websites...

If we can change the emphasis from just getting a website up because it's the thing to do, to having a complete WEB MINISTRY, then the internet becomes a powerful tool!

[flutem3]

Curtis wrote:

I'm talking more along the lines of educating the pastors and lay people about the whole concept of a "living application". A website is (or should be) a dynamic, living application. People should get so excited about the website, that they can't wait to come back the next day! How many sites is this happening to?

I can tell you one thing, Curtis. That is not happening with our website. It is the one thing that I am working on so hard, but I am at a loss much of the time as to how to make it happen. As a matter of fact, however, I don't know of any websites that I am that excited about. It is a terrific goal though.

One of my own difficulties is that I am unable to go to church. Had I been able to begin some strong PR work from the beginning I think some things would be different. I know that a website "should" stand on its on merits perhaps, but there is so much competition for time and energy that PR in some form seems to be essential. The church was in distress at the time I began, and a website was the last thing most people cared about or even considered. The worm has now turned so to speak. I think God must have looked down and said, "Let this church thrive." And He then provided the pastors and inspired the membership to make it happen. We are just beginning a remodeling project so everyone's time and efforts (and money) are aimed in that direction.

When the first phase of the project is finished, there will be an elevator, and I can go to church!!! Hooray!!! And then the people who have not yet discovered the website or taken the time to look will at least learn about it...from me. And I am a very good sales person when I believe in the product. And I do believe in the website despite its faults. And it will, I hope, get better. After all, I have some of the best teachers in the world! :D

I have discovered one thing also. Part of the success depends upon how the people use computers. In our church, for example, only about half of the people have computers and not too many of them use them with great frequency other than work or to work with their kids on school work. I know of another woman whose entire church is online, and their website is very lively.

I don't have the answers, Curtis. But I certainly am looking for them!! [/COLOR] Ideas are welcome!!!

Bless us one and all,

Carol

[cwgraves]

The key to getting the congregation onboard is to mention the website in every piece of paper passed out! If it is a tithe envelope, mention the website. If it is a weekly bulletin, mention the website - even in the middle of an announcement, say something like: "for more information about this event visit our website at: http://www.ourchurch.com"

Also, the pastor(s) will need to promote the site as often as possible from the pulpit. There needs to be screen shots shown on the overhead projector or as part of the monthly newsletter.

When the website is finally finishing a redesign or launching for the first time, make sure to have a launch party or grand opening! Send out invitations via emails and written as well.

This will start to generate SOME interest...

To really get things going, I asked all church members who have an email address to give it to us. They also provided us with any committees and boards they belong to.

Whenever an event or meeting was coming up that pertained to them, we sent an email.

For those who don't have an email account, we offer a branded email address to verifiable church members. If the church is firstbaptist.com, the member gets jsmith@firstbaptist.com. If the member wants their own website, we offer a child portal for $5 a month. The member would get http://www.firstbaptist.com/jsmith as their domain name!

I've even been thinking about offering to place a public computer in the library of the church for people without computers to come and check mail and such. Of course, this would have to be monitored and time limited.

We added private messages and forums to the church portal system. Private messages are like a dedicated email system, but it only pertains to members of the church portal. You can send messages to individuals or to groups. Forums are just like this forum. Questions can be posted and talked about.

The main idea is to get the people to see the website as not just a weekly bulletin, but a community where they can interact with other members of the church.

So far, most of the churches and ministries that we have worked with have seen moderate to great success!