October Poll Results: Secondary Sources
Well, the results of our October poll are in (a week late...boy, does time fly by). Anyhoo, it looks like 74% of churches don't seem to be taking full advantage of their websites as sources of key information.
I personally am a bit disappointed in this result, but not surprised. I feel that there are two places that key information needs to be placed: the church bulletin and on the church website. The church bulletin is important because then you can make sure that everyone who walks in your doors has access to the information, but the website is just as important. If people miss a service, are looking into your church, or, unthinkably, lose their bulletin, then they can turn to the website for the same information, if not more detailed information.
We have to remember, the goal is for the church website to be an extension of the church, and that's best done by getting the two to work together, and not independently.
November's poll follows up on our Site Longevity series, asking how often you redesign your church's website. Check in on the main page to vote today!
The question asked 'how big a role does the website play..?' I know for our website, the weekly bulletin is posted there before the Sunday service, but no local people actually use it. Only those overseas who are connected to the church.
The desire for it to be used is there, but despite internal promotion of the website, people do not use it.
Hopefully this will change as broadband and general computer use increases in the church.
As always, my polls are subject to some interpretation. I was thinking more along the lines of administration, but the role in actual usage by the congregation is important as well.
I do find that many churches are going through a generational transition phase right now. I'm one of those people who uses the internet for nearly everything, but many of the established church crowd still prefer things like bulletins and phone chains.
However, you and I both seem to expect this to change in the coming years as the technological prowess of the majority of congregants increases, and in the meantime we should prepare for that change.