wfn.org | Essentials to include on your Web site

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Feb. 3, 2003  News media contact: Laura Latham7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
  10-71B{052}

NOTE: This is a sidebar to UMNS story #050.

By United Methodist News Service

Here are some basic items that every church webmaster should include when
developing a site to reach people shopping for a new church:

7	A welcome message, preferably from the pastor. People want to feel
welcome, whether in the church itself or on the Web site.
	
7	Worship service times and descriptions of the service. Many churches
now have several different types of service. To simply label a service
"contemporary" or "traditional" is not enough.
	
7	Ministry descriptions. People shopping for a church want to know how
the church reaches out to spiritually feed the congregation and the
community.
	
7	Class descriptions. Highlight each class or small group with a brief
description, meeting location and time.
	
7	Staff listing and contact information. A Web site that doesn't offer
an opportunity to gain more information by e-mail, phone or snail mail is
like the Yellow Pages without phone numbers. Include photos of staff members
as well.

7	Core beliefs. Include a few lines or paragraphs about what your
congregation believes as well as the theology of the denomination.
	
7	Upcoming events and a calendar. Church barbecues, yard sales, blood
drives, etc., are often non-threatening ways for a person to visit a church
for the first time.
	
7	Directions and map to the church. Do not rely on a person knowing how
to get to your church no matter how long it has been a part of the community.
	
7	Building maps or floor plans. It's helpful for a person to have a
general idea of how to get around your church before making that first visit.

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United Methodist News Service
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