An Untapped Internet Ministry for Churches: Developing Online Community Websites
ByThe New York Times has an article titled Anywhere, Online highlighting several new online sites looking to build community-specific websites featuring citizen journalism like AmericanTowns.
Here are some seven sample content ideas that a church could offer on its website or a community-specific website to leverage for use in ministry:
>> Offer weather conditions — being stranded recently in New Mexico (huge record-breaking snowstorm) and the current icestorm our state is going through put this on the forefront for me. But the weather is a huge subject of interest for a lot of people. Sites like Weather.com offer neat widgets to put on your website or community guide.
>> Offer breaking news — where users submits tips, photos, etc. Using the TDO Mini Forms plugin, you could let your community’s residents submit tips easily, similar to how I ask people to submit book reviews on the Christian Book Lounge. Obviously, this would need some scrutiny and careful editing.
>> Offer relocation guides – like phone numbers of local schools, insurance agents, utilities, anything a person who has little or no information about your community would need (oh, and your church’s information including worship services and ministries for them!). Partner with your church’s teachers, insurance and real estate agents and others to get this information … just leverage the people you already have. Offer it in the form of a free PDF download.
>> Offer community photo galleries — Leverage Flickr and incredibly cheap hosting plans to provide a platform for community photos.
>> Recruit community guest writers – just like a newspaper does. Ask fellow pastors (and other leaders) in your community to write a weekly column to the site. And use blogging software, like WordPress, to easily update it all. (You don’t have to call it a blog, by the way!)
>> Offer classifieds ads — most hosting plans come with free one-click applications like Noah’s Classifieds. Offer a free community classifieds site for jobs, etc.
>> Poll and survey residents — on everything to do with your community with plugins like Democracy or PollDaddy. How about nominating favorite policemen or firemen, or funny stuff … like how many Sonics in your town? Or contests for free stuff!
I realize a lot of these things may be unrealistic for a typical church. But with the right person, who has the passion for online ministry, it could be an untapped ministry opportunity!
I’d love to hear how you’re using online ministries like this …
This is brilliant. Every church should jump on this idea!
I think the fear among church leaders is that–because the web is ambiguous and difficult to control–somehow it will turn into a porn exchange or a dating service. At the best, they see that it has potential to be a breeding ground for controversy.
What is difficult for the non-web2.0-savvy to grasp is the opportunity for real ministry. Believers can be strengthened, and lives can actually be changed. The web doesn’t have to be a substitute for real community; it can be a touch point that makes having real community easier in this hectic, busy world.
Great post, Cory!
–Josh
These are some great ideas. I can see how many churches could benefit from this. Personally I think the Weather updating is great, I know of some churches in OK that this is a major deal during tornado season. I actually just put up a post about creating a church website with a mac for those that need it to be VERY EASY but still want to do it themselves. If anyone is interested, they can read the first part here http://www.insidenspire.com/http:/www.insidenspire.com/2007/01/18/create-you-next-church-website-with-an-apple
Yes this a great i dea.But am yet to put up a main site!