Some Useful Technologies for Church Ministry (Part 1)

Read the series.

The “sharp axe” proverb in Ecclesiastes 10:10 highlights the importance of keeping our technology “honed” or “up-to-date.” Not only is an iron or steel axe head preferable to a stone axe head, but the edge of the axe must also be sharp if we want to increase our productivity and success. Just as the woodsman should keep his axe sharp in order to increase his productivity, so we who are engaged in church ministry should keep our technology in good working order and, as much as possible, current and up-to-date. Of course, we shouldn’t assume that the latest technology is always the best technology. We may need to wait until a new technology is “tested” before making the investment. Moreover, having “cutting edge” technology may not be absolutely necessary or feasible for every church.

But I fear that some of us are trying to do church ministry with a “stone axe,” metaphorically speaking. Our technology is either dated, or we’re not keeping it sharp. As a result, our church’s ministry is not as efficient and productive as it could be. Of course, we can still do church ministry with older and less efficient technologies just like a woodman can bring down a tree with a sledge hammer if he hits it long enough. But why should we pray God overrule our lack of applied wisdom? Why not make use of the best and most efficient technologies that are consistent with our ministry objectives and within our budgetary grasp?

With these thoughts in view, I’d like to suggest some modern technologies that may serve and facilitate our church ministry. My suggestions will focus primarily on mediums of gospel communication since that’s what church ministry is primarily about. Some of you may already use these technologies. My encouragement will focus primarily on keeping the “tool” sharpened and up-to-date. My plan is to look at various modern technologies under four categories of the church ministry. As we’ll see, there will be overlap as some technologies can be used in each of these areas. The examples I give are by no means exhaustive.¹ Some of you may be aware of technologies I don’t address below. Moreover, I offer these examples as suggested technologies you may want to consider using. My purpose is not to imply that you must employ all these technologies for church ministry.

Technologies for Outreach

Here I’m thinking about reaching out to your community and beyond with two objectives: a more immediate objective and a more ultimate objective. The immediate objective is to introduce yourself—who are you, what do you believe, and what do you do. More specifically, I’m speaking of advertising your church’s identity, beliefs, values, and mission. The more ultimate objective is to introduce people to Jesus Christ and the gospel. What are some technologies to help your church accomplish those objectives.

1. A Good Website

In past decades, churches made the community aware of their presence primary through the Yellow Pages of a phone book and by means of a church sign that was visible. The ad in the Yellow pages usually conveys basic information like the church’s name, contact information, and service times. The church sign could be simple or more elaborate in design. In addition to the church’s name and other basic information, it might also include the church’s branding (i.e., logo and/or motto) and sometimes a concise, catchy, and/or corny (!) message. The phone book and church signs are still technologies used by churches today. But with the advent of the Internet, the former is quickly become passé and the latter is becoming less significant.

The Internet is increasingly becoming the place where people will often first encounter your church ministry. Indeed, as Mike Atkinson remarks, “If you’re not on the Web, you don’t exist.”² And unless people already know something about your church, they’re usually looking for more information that what the Yellow Pages or a church sign can provide. What they’re looking for is a church website. Pastor Kevin DeYoung underscores this point:

I have never been one to encourage churches to chase the latest trends…. But increasingly, if your church does not have a decent website you’re uninviting a lot of people who might otherwise have plodded, persevered, and sat under good preaching with you. I am out of town on sabbatical for most of this summer. That means I’ll be a church visitor again. And like most people under the age of 40 (or is it under 70?) when I check out churches I do most of my checking online. More often than not, when I meet a visitor at our church, they’ve already been to our website. Having a decent website is not about being hip or pursuing relevance. It’s about being welcoming and hospitable. Your website is the front door of your church for many, many people.³

It’s important to note that DeYoung isn’t just urging churches to get a website. The title of his article is “Be Welcoming, Get a Good Website” (emphasis added). Most churches understand the value of a website, but what many fail to appreciate is the importance of a good website.

What constitutes a good website? From what I’ve gleaned in researching that question, the marks of a good website can be classified under content, functionality, and appearance.

With respect to “content,” the website should obviously include the church’s name, location, service times, and contact info. But just as important, if not more so, are the church’s core beliefs, values, and mission. Moreover, the church should include information pertinent to first time visitors: childcare and/or youth ministries, leadership and staff, sample audio sermons, the church’s style of worship, and so on.

Also, remember that a “picture is worth a thousand words.” So include quality photos that depict different aspect of church ministry and life. You need important written content, as noted above. However, keep the written content concise. Furthermore, make sure that pictures and the written content communicate authentic information. In other words, avoid using “stock photos” except for special graphics or for conveying generic concepts.⁴ Most of the photos on your website should communicate who you are, not who you used to be or what you hope to be.

“Functionality” largely pertains to the website’s architecture and structure. A website with good functionality is one that’s easy to navigate. As one website designer observes, “Good church websites make it easy to find that information quickly in a way that makes sense.”⁵ This usually entails a menu bar at the top (or left side) of the website with drop down windows and simple labels such as “About Us,” “Church Life,” “Events,” “Media,” “Directions,” “Contact Us,” etc. It may be especially useful for visitors to include some obvious button or link entitled “New Here?” And make sure your links, buttons, and fonts are sufficiently large and obvious. In the words of another website designer, “They should be staring people in the face everywhere they navigate on the site.”⁶

Finally, the website must have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Quoting again from a reputable church website designer,

The church bears a responsibility to create beautiful things all for the glory of God. If the website is the first interaction someone has with your church, make sure it’s a positive interaction. At the same time, the design of a church’s website won’t be engaging if it doesn’t communicate effectively. Users want information, not flash. Good and engaging design doesn’t distract from the user’s goal.⁷

Here are a few things to keep in mind with respect to aesthetics. First, make sure your design is up-to-date and current. If your website was created more than five years ago, it’s probably time to update the design. Most people below the age of 40 can date sites and if your site’s dated, they’ll take note. Second, choosing the right color combinations for the basic theme of your site is important.⁸ Third, remember your home page is usually the first and most important page people will see. In addition to the menu bar, you’ll want to include your church’s branding (i.e., logo and motto). Moreover, a “featured slider” with rotating banners can serve not only as a helpful navigation tool but also as an attractive eye-catching feature of your home page—provided that the graphics of the banners are well done!⁹ Moreover, avoid too much clutter. More graphics and less words are preferable for the home page. Yet too many graphics aren’t good either. On the one hand, you don’t want your site to appear overly bland and barren.¹⁰ On the other hand, you want to avoid a look that’s too gaudy or flashy.

Your best course of action is to look for a skilled website and graphics designer. Sometimes, a person may be good at both. If not, you may need more than one person to bring the skill sets together. Professionally designed church websites will cost a few thousand dollars. Personally, I think a good website is worth the investment. Most churches hire professionals to build their church sign. Today your website is as important if not more. But if you don’t have lots of money to spend, you can utilize a church website template like those designed for WordPress.¹¹ You’ll still need a good graphics designer and someone with a little IT (“Information Technology”) experience who can upload content and manage the site. I recommend that you try to stay within the skill sets God’s given to your church or that you can afford to procure from outside the church. A simple and unsophisticated website that’s simple and attractive is better than a more complex and overly “sophisticated” website that’s poorly designed. In some cases, it may be better to hold off on a website until God provides the human and financial resources. No website is better than a really bad website that may reflect negatively on your ministry.