A website is an indispensable tool in modern times. If you don’t have a quality, modern, and effective website, you are hindering your ministry and influence. Learn why you need a website that works right away and how to get one that will further your ministry on a budget.
There are three convincing reasons you need a custom website without delay.
Own Your Content
Did you know that when you post content to a social media site that you give up certain rights to it? Although copyright law says that you own what you create, the waters get muddy online. For example the Instagram Terms of Service state that you own your material, but “that the user grants Instagram a “non-exclusive, fully paid and royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to use their content”. Do you trust the big tech companies to protect your interests? Neither do I.
Website creation companies like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly make building websites easier. However, you are beholden to the parent company’s terms of service. These terms can change at any time and restrict the features and content of your website. I have built custom WordPress websites for people trying to escape the restrictions of these companies. Don’t fall for teaser rates. The long term financial and ministry benefits of creating your website is clear.
A custom-built WordPress website is a far better choice.
Protect Your Ministry
You work hard to serve the Lord. Your sermons and resources reach around the world and keep preaching the Word while you sleep. Also, your website is your digital front door to your community. Over 80% of people will look at your website before actually attending your church.
If you don’t have a church website in modern times, it makes your potential guest feel like the church is unorganized, ineffective, or unprofessional. A Facebook page does not carry the same weight as a custom website.
But here is the real problem. If you don’t pay for the server space that your digital testimony resides, your information can be taken offline with the flip of a switch!
It is well-known that social media companies like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are fighting a silent war against philosophies and viewpoints that don’t agree with their progressive, worldly, and godless principles. Shadow bans, demonetization, and outright removal of accounts are already happening.
If you don’t have a stand-alone website, your entire online influence can be erased in a moment. As the world spirals away from God, the big tech companies are being used by Satan to further his cause. Decades of work can be gone in an instant. At this time, there is no easy way for your custom website to be dismantled or removed. If your social media gets canceled, you can always open a new one and begin pointing people to your custom website again.
Protect your ministry. Use a custom website as the home base for all of your digital activities. Use Social Media to release timely short messages and drive traffic to your website.
Increase Your Influence
Social media is a blessing and a curse. It is flooded with wickedness and vice. At the same time, it is an effective way to increase your personal and ministry influence for God. I’m not opposed to social media when used correctly and in moderation. I am vehemently against trusting social media with all my digital influence for God.
Furthermore, when you place all your digital eggs in one basket, you are increasing the influence and wealth of those companies without building something that will last for God. A custom website will stand the test of time. When built right, it will increase your influence right away, make it easy to add features as you need them, and easily keep up with future needs.
Don’t build someone else’s influence on your effort. Don’t rely on godless executives to steward your online ministry.
Every Church or Christian ministry must have a stand-alone site today. Also, I recommend that every pastor or preacher have a personal website. The benefits are too many to be discussed in this article. However, the short answer is that a personal website increases your influence, builds credibility, draws like-minded people, allows you to practice the important skill of writing, and gives you space to share truths that God has taught you. It is so easy to have a good website today that it is crazy not to.
Create a modern, easy-to-use, effective ministry or personal website today!
Common Objections
Don’t have the money?
Consider how much money you are losing in lost influence, missed connections, unmet visitors, and unrealized offerings. You can’t afford NOT to have an effective website.
Plan to do it yourself?
Then do it! If you have the time to learn how to build a quality, effective website, there are enough tools available to help you get it done. However, there is a reason you haven’t done it yet. Either you don’t know-how and plan to learn (which takes a lot of time) or you don’t have time to get it done. There are only two ways that a website gets built. Either you do it yourself or you pay someone to do it. You’ve prayed about it long enough.
We have a website.
The question is “Do you have a quality website that works?” A poor website is almost as bad as not having one at all. You could be losing visitors each week. Does your website look modern and attractive? Does it have the functionality you need? Can you accept online donations? Does it showcase your sermons? Have people contacted you through your website? Does it have a way for people to give you their email? Do you have an interactive map so people can find your church easily? Have you had visitors attend church recently that met you online? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your website is not working. We can help.
Stop waiting. Get a website started today.
The purpose of this article is to help you understand the urgent need of an effective ministry website. However, it can be difficult to know who to trust to get the job done. Don’t expect a company that builds business websites to understand the nuances and best practices of church and ministry websites. They are very different.
I may be able to help you. While we are too busy to take on a lot of outside work, I am willing to help my subscribers who qualify to get a website that works. Also, subscribers to PaulEChapman.com get a discount.
Get a custom website tailored to your vision and ministry for as little as $500. Cost depends upon the size and scope of the website. CLICK HERE to get a free estimate and consultation by filling out this short questionnaire.