Comments on: How inclusive is your church website? http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/ A look at how trends in communication technology impact individuals and organizations. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:29:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.1 by: » Internet Evangelism Day Strategies http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-739 Fri, 19 May 2006 12:45:21 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-739 [...] Modify your website to be more seeker-friendly.  You’ll find some tips on that in the article How inclusive is your church website?  While it’s written for churches, many of the principles apply to any Christian website. [...] […] Modify your website to be more seeker-friendly.  You’ll find some tips on that in the article How inclusive is your church website?  While it’s written for churches, many of the principles apply to any Christian website. […]

]]> by: Pam Seibert http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-320 Wed, 19 Apr 2006 17:54:58 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-320 Thanks to all who responded to my article. Randy, I especially appreciate what you said: "The ministry the Lord has entrusted me with is about people and not building a big name for myself. If I’m well-known, that part is up to God. I’m about building people beginning with pointing them to Jesus, and the cross of Christ, and I pray before God that my website reflects this. We have enough mega-ministry want-a-bes. Lets get back to the cross and the simplicity that’s in Christ." Beautifully said! A blog is intended to foster an exchange of ideas and opinions, and we welcome differing viewpoints, but I get the feeling I may have been misunderstood. So I want to reiterate an important point found in my article: "Please don’t misunderstand: I’m not advocating a watered-down message from a wishy-washy church, but rather the truth spoken in love with a healing dose of acceptance, understanding and forgiveness… especially as it applies to your website." I Corinthians says that if I speak with the tongues of men or of angels, but don't have love (or charity for those of you who prefer King James), then I'm nothing but noise. I think everyone can agree that speaking the truth in love, in a language that is understandable to both the churched and the unchurched, is an important goal. Dancing around the truth or candy-coating the gospel is the farthest thing from my mind and heart. I simply want to gently remind everyone to consider the audience. Relate to them on their level, just like Jesus did. We don't have to talk down to people but we shouldn't frustrate them, either. For example, what does "being saved" mean to someone who doesn't understand the dangers of hell? I'm not suggesting that we avoid the phrase altogether, but if you use it, explain what you mean by it. It wouldn't hurt to also explain the many benefits and responsibilities of following Jesus while we're still alive, because there is more to salvation than merely avoiding hell. But I digress. This article was written by a flawed sinner saved by grace. Obviously no matter what anyone says, whether it's me or a pastor or someone famous like Billy Graham, we have to listen to the Holy Spirit first. Absolutely. There is no substitute. Thanks again to all who wrote. Pam Thanks to all who responded to my article. Randy, I especially appreciate what you said: “The ministry the Lord has entrusted me with is about people and not building a big name for myself. If I’m well-known, that part is up to God. I’m about building people beginning with pointing them to Jesus, and the cross of Christ, and I pray before God that my website reflects this. We have enough mega-ministry want-a-bes. Lets get back to the cross and the simplicity that’s in Christ.” Beautifully said!

A blog is intended to foster an exchange of ideas and opinions, and we welcome differing viewpoints, but I get the feeling I may have been misunderstood. So I want to reiterate an important point found in my article: “Please don’t misunderstand: I’m not advocating a watered-down message from a wishy-washy church, but rather the truth spoken in love with a healing dose of acceptance, understanding and forgiveness… especially as it applies to your website.”

I Corinthians says that if I speak with the tongues of men or of angels, but don’t have love (or charity for those of you who prefer King James), then I’m nothing but noise.

I think everyone can agree that speaking the truth in love, in a language that is understandable to both the churched and the unchurched, is an important goal. Dancing around the truth or candy-coating the gospel is the farthest thing from my mind and heart. I simply want to gently remind everyone to consider the audience. Relate to them on their level, just like Jesus did. We don’t have to talk down to people but we shouldn’t frustrate them, either.

For example, what does “being saved” mean to someone who doesn’t understand the dangers of hell? I’m not suggesting that we avoid the phrase altogether, but if you use it, explain what you mean by it. It wouldn’t hurt to also explain the many benefits and responsibilities of following Jesus while we’re still alive, because there is more to salvation than merely avoiding hell. But I digress.

This article was written by a flawed sinner saved by grace. Obviously no matter what anyone says, whether it’s me or a pastor or someone famous like Billy Graham, we have to listen to the Holy Spirit first. Absolutely. There is no substitute.

Thanks again to all who wrote.

Pam

]]> by: Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com » Blog Archive » Can anyone find your church website? http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-307 Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:18:29 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-307 [...] Search engines are a great way to help you reach many people with whom you may not otherwise come in contact.  The tips above will help get people to your website.  The rest is up to you.  Of course, once a visitor finds your site you want to be sure it’s welcoming and provides the information a visitor is looking for like service times, a map, beliefs, Sunday school/child care options, and other info about your church. [...] […] Search engines are a great way to help you reach many people with whom you may not otherwise come in contact.  The tips above will help get people to your website.  The rest is up to you.  Of course, once a visitor finds your site you want to be sure it’s welcoming and provides the information a visitor is looking for like service times, a map, beliefs, Sunday school/child care options, and other info about your church. […]

]]> by: Dan http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-303 Tue, 18 Apr 2006 01:38:09 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-303 I think you people know less about God then most the world. Your a disgrace. Catholics know more about boys then you know about God. Seriously, consider yourselves. I am very open-minded and willing to listen, but are you? Gods word says to 'test the spirits', I am betting you have come across that, so, as my duty as a 'child of light', 'Christian', 'Gentile', and 'Isrealite', would like to ask you questions that I hope you will respond to, though not your duty I hope for it none-the-less. I am doing this to {a}. Test whatever spirit you are governed by. {b}. make sure I am not misunderstanding anything, and {c}. Doing my Biblical, for-chosen duty. I ask you first, this: Is God a god of hate, love, or both? Secondly: Your stance on predistination. Thirdly: Your views on the Tribulation/ End time prophecies. And lastly: This is co-existing with the End times, do you believe in a time the church falls? So as not to carry on too long, I will state my points, but as I mentioned I am very open minded, another 'gentile' traite. We are predestinated (Romans 8:29-30). God hates, as well as loves (Romans 9:13,15) And I will end there. I think you people know less about God then most the world. Your a disgrace. Catholics know more about boys then you know about God. Seriously, consider yourselves.

I am very open-minded and willing to listen, but are you? Gods word says to ‘test the spirits’, I am betting you have come across that, so, as my duty as a ‘child of light’, ‘Christian’, ‘Gentile’, and ‘Isrealite’, would like to ask you questions that I hope you will respond to, though not your duty I hope for it none-the-less. I am doing this to {a}. Test whatever spirit you are governed by. {b}. make sure I am not misunderstanding anything, and {c}. Doing my Biblical, for-chosen duty.

I ask you first, this: Is God a god of hate, love, or both?

Secondly: Your stance on predistination.

Thirdly: Your views on the Tribulation/ End time prophecies.

And lastly: This is co-existing with the End times, do you believe in a time the church falls?

So as not to carry on too long, I will state my points, but as I mentioned I am very open minded, another ‘gentile’ traite.

We are predestinated (Romans 8:29-30).

God hates, as well as loves (Romans 9:13,15)

And I will end there.

]]> by: Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com » Blog Archive » 11 Tips for Making Your Church Website a Great Resource http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-186 Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:08:26 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-186 [...] Pam explored the first purpose in her articles “How Inclusive Is Your Church Website?“, which discussed how to make the content of your website welcoming to non-members, and “The 5 C’s of Intelligent Web Design,” which touched on how to make the design and appearance of your website welcoming.  Today I’m switching gears to the second purpose, making your church website an informational resource to help people in your church get connected with others and use their gifts in service. [...] […] Pam explored the first purpose in her articles “How Inclusive Is Your Church Website?“, which discussed how to make the content of your website welcoming to non-members, and “The 5 C’s of Intelligent Web Design,” which touched on how to make the design and appearance of your website welcoming.  Today I’m switching gears to the second purpose, making your church website an informational resource to help people in your church get connected with others and use their gifts in service. […]

]]> by: Ray R Harwood http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-101 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:29:58 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-101 Yahwah bid all to know his Name Yahwah bid all to know his Name

]]> by: John C http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-100 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 05:15:22 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-100 I read your comment included in your email Pam, I often think that I would be happy if just one more person got the "good news"the reason for my website is to use my gifts to express love for God! So no two websites are going to be the same in expressing the word! However hard that may be for some to understand well that's the way it is. Some Christians need a tender loving care approach some need to hear it like it is,others have already heard it and need something they aren't getting elswhere! You had someone approach you with the wrong approach! You may also know that God doesn't always put his stamp on anything we do just because we assume it's right, I got a feeling we come a little short a little more than we think! So we make up the Body of Christ and he places us where it pleases him! He directs the path of the upright! What may be important to think about in a creation of a website is does it preach his word, for let the person who preaches anything but what the apostles preached(Paul,Peter,Luke,Matthew,John,Timothy,Titus Philemon,James,Jude,) let that person who preaches any other gospel than these have ,be accursed,secondly does the website equip the believer or non believer to continue on in his walk. if it does these and just needs minor corrections well it's probably welcome by God, his people perish for lack of knowledge ,the story of Jonah is a good example God sent him to preach the word and he didn't want to and when he did many were converted but how good was he at it when he didn't care for those who he preached to I don't suppose if Jonah were a website he would look much like the biblical character we knew him to be ,witnessing is planting a seed and letting God grow it! Sincerely John C I read your comment included in your email Pam, I often think that I would be happy if just one more person got the “good news”the reason for my website is to use my gifts to express love for God! So no two websites are going to be the same in expressing the word! However hard that may be for some to understand well that’s the way it is. Some Christians need a tender loving care approach some need to hear it like it is,others have already heard it and need something they aren’t getting elswhere! You had someone approach you with the wrong approach! You may also know that God doesn’t always put his stamp on anything we do just because we assume it’s right, I got a feeling we come a little short a little more than we think! So we make up the Body of Christ and he places us where it pleases him! He directs the path of the upright! What may be important to think about in a creation of a website is does it preach his word, for let the person who preaches anything but what the apostles preached(Paul,Peter,Luke,Matthew,John,Timothy,Titus Philemon,James,Jude,) let that person who preaches any other gospel than these have ,be accursed,secondly does the website equip the believer or non believer to continue on in his walk. if it does these and just needs minor corrections well it’s probably welcome by God, his people perish for lack of knowledge ,the story of Jonah is a good example God sent him to preach the word and he didn’t want to and when he did many were converted but how good was he at it when he didn’t care for those who he preached to I don’t suppose if Jonah were a website he would look much like the biblical character we knew him to be ,witnessing is planting a seed and letting God grow it! Sincerely John C

]]> by: Teresa http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-99 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 04:56:07 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-99 I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you. I really like the way you layed it out, so that we can make our sites better to those who need Jesus. I am just getting started in my ministry and wasn't sure where to start, I prayed and prayed, and it hit me one day to use the internet as a tool to help others. Thank you so very much for having this site, where those of us who are on a limited income, can have thier own website to share the gospel to those who need it...My ministry is to help mothers and daughters who have a bad relationship between them, as well as helping single moms. This site gives me the opporotunity to share what God can and will do if you allow Him to do so.. In His Love, Teresa Griffin I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you. I really like the way you layed it out, so that we can make our sites better to those who need Jesus. I am just getting started in my ministry and wasn’t sure where to start, I prayed and prayed, and it hit me one day to use the internet as a tool to help others. Thank you so very much for having this site, where those of us who are on a limited income, can have thier own website to share the gospel to those who need it…My ministry is to help mothers and daughters who have a bad relationship between them, as well as helping single moms. This site gives me the opporotunity to share what God can and will do if you allow Him to do so..

In His Love,
Teresa Griffin

]]> by: Randy Foncree http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-98 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 03:42:11 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-98 Thanks for this blog. Very informational. The ministry the Lord has entrusted me with is about people and not building a big name for myself. If I'm well-known, that part is up to God. I'm about building people beginning with pointing them to Jesus, and the cross of Christ, and I pray before God that my website reflects this. We have enough mega-ministry want-a-bes. Lets get back to the cross and the simplicity that's in Christ. Thank you Lord for providing us a way back to the Father, and let our lives, families, ministries, and churches be a reflection of the awesome love and mercy that you'd shown us by shedding Your precious blood for us...God bless and thanks for this informative blog... Randy (Psallo Praise Ministries) www.ourchurch.com/member/p/psallo_praise Thanks for this blog. Very informational. The ministry the Lord has entrusted me with is about people and not building a big name for myself. If I’m well-known, that part is up to God. I’m about building people beginning with pointing them to Jesus, and the cross of Christ, and I pray before God that my website reflects this. We have enough mega-ministry want-a-bes. Lets get back to the cross and the simplicity that’s in Christ.

Thank you Lord for providing us a way back to the Father, and let our lives, families, ministries, and churches be a reflection of the awesome love and mercy that you’d shown us by shedding Your precious blood for us…God bless and thanks for this informative blog…

Randy (Psallo Praise Ministries) www.ourchurch.com/member/p/psallo_praise

]]> by: Spirit ArtWorks http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-96 Tue, 21 Mar 2006 21:54:53 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2006/03/21/how-inclusive-is-your-church-website/#comment-96 Even though my website is not about my church, I have devoted a page to where I worship and how I feel about it, including directions and service times. Other pages of my site share my testimonials and feelings about how the Lord has blessed me with my talents and gifts through His Gifts of the Spirit. I have had alot of comments received, and thanks from visitors to my site for sharing my beliefs and it has truly come back to bless me. So, don't be afraid to add a church home page to your site! Even though my website is not about my church, I have devoted a page to where I worship and how I feel about it, including directions and service times. Other pages of my site share my testimonials and feelings about how the Lord has blessed me with my talents and gifts through His Gifts of the Spirit. I have had alot of comments received, and thanks from visitors to my site for sharing my beliefs and it has truly come back to bless me. So, don’t be afraid to add a church home page to your site!

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