Churches: Enriching Outreach in the Electronic Age

The Internet has proven to be a successful business medium for many businesses around the world and churches are now starting to grasp the power of the Internet as a medium for expanding their outreach and enriching their ministry. In 2002 there were over 600 million Internet users worldwide, and those numbers have only increased over time.

Studies have indicated that millions of Americans, both adults and teenagers, use the Internet for faith-based matters and spiritual experiences, and predictions are that over the next decade many Internet users will opt to use the Internet as their sole source of religious experience. Although so called "cyberchurches" are not expected to replace attendance in traditional churches, they are expected to gain popularity as a source of faith-based information. In light of the trend to use the Internet for faith-based research and spiritual experiences, it seems that not having a church website subjects churches to numerous lost outreach opportunities.

Some research has shown that large congregations and younger pastors are more likely to have a church website. Technology may be cost prohibitive for small churches and internal knowledge to maintain a website may be in short supply in churches where the staff is not familiar with the use of technology; however, maintaining a website can be as easy as using Microsoft Word if built correctly. Initial development costs can generally be covered through fundraising or collecting donations for the purpose of launching a church website specifically geared toward community outreach.

Professional Solutions, Inc. is a web design company that can be trusted to create a church website that will compliment the church’s outreach mission. By increasing visibility and exposure for the church the church web site can build your congregation and help deliver your message to a much larger audience. Your church website design can be a simple "about us" for a few hundred dollars. You can also spend a bit more and consider options like the ability to manage newsletters, have an online events calendar, a recent news section & more.  The possibilities are endless and PSI can help you make the jump to an powerful online presence.

PSI ALWAYS OFFERS DISCOUNTS ON CHURCH WEB DESIGN

Contact us today and see how we can help your church with a new website.

Sources Consulted:
Brown, J. (2005, Jan. 7). Church Websites – Now a Luxury? Perhaps a Necessary Outreach in the Future. Agape Press. Retrieved from: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/72005a.asp 

Pastor, M. (2001, May 23). Internet’s Religious Applications Getting Noticed. Junipermedia Corporation. Retrieved from: http://www.clickz.com/stats/sectors/demographics/article.php/772091 

NUA Internet Surveys. (2002). How Many Online? Junipermedia Corporation. Retrieved from: http://www.nua.ie/surveys/how_many_online/