Recently I invited readers to participate in a church website survey to determine how church websites are really being used.  The survey, The State of the Church Online, Part 1, is beginning to produce new, concrete data about church website use.

What do people say are the most important features/activities they would like to engage on a church website?  So far, according to early survey results assessing 100 church websites, here’s what people are saying they want to do on a church website:

(out of 23 activities on the use of Church Websites by Attendees survey)

Highest Rated =

1.   Find service information (times, directions, etc).
2.   Listen to/download Sermons (audio recordings).
3.   Learn about the church’s Beliefs/Mission/Values
4.   Connect with other members.
5.   Read/download Sermons (text transcripts).
6.   Join and/or interact with a home/bible study group.
7.   View weekly information/calendar/news/events.
8.   Find serving opportunities at the church.
9.   Post prayer requests or needs.
10. Read articles or other content.

Guess reading a pastor’s blog doesn’t score in the top 10.  Check out more by keeping track of Drew Goodmanson’s personal blog.

Recently there have been more examples popping up of church websites that display some of the emerging trends in interactive web presence.  Static web pages, those that provide service times, location & an uninteractive front page, are being transformed in response to the new values presented by the new media.  As has been talked about so often here, a couple of these values include interactivity and fresh content.  

The web site of Westwinds Community Church in Jackson, Michigan is a good example because with out being overly flashy or polished it provides evidence that their church is responding to the changes in our culture, the way we communicate and the values we place on such communication. 

You can click into their landing page to see that it has:

1) streaming video

2) blogs

3) podcasts

4) fresh content 

These four simple (and free!) elements convey to visitors an important message: our church is active and engaging. 

Obviously, it isn't our goal to conform to cultural standards.  Our goal is to penetrate culture so we can transform people.  One of the best ways to do that is to speak in a language they will understand and engage them.

Yes, you'll also find many in the church micro-blogging on twitter – course that goes a long way in my book.

http://twitter.com/cynthiaware

                                                 image: socialmedia.biz

Kem Meyer, Communications Director at Granger Community Church has been having ongoing conversations with her team about improving the online experience their church delivers.  Recently, Kem posted What we like… a brief list of the things Granger's staff enjoy when visiting a website.

Kem, an insightful communicator and active user of new media, noted that when the staff stepped away from their own church website to discuss what they liked about the websites they visit on a regular basis, they came up with 5 things they like (aka – what they value):

  *  I get to choose what information comes to me and how. (personalization)

  *  I can interact if I WANT to, but I'm not forced to. (interactivity)

  *  I can access it from any computer; public or private. (mobility)

  *  I like the "insider scoop" on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. (user generated)

  *  It's instant. (instantaneous)

I was curious to see if their list paralleled the list I created late last year for the Dynamic Church Conference '08 – Social Media – 10 New Media Values Your Ministry Needs.  Sure enough, of my ten, they listed the five found above.  You can down my list here Download Presentation (PDF).

Although your church website should be well-designed and easy to use, what's as important is that the values it reflects embrace a new communication mindset.  

You can also comment, twitter, ichat or facebook me for more exploration of new media values.

Clover – websites for growing churches and ministries. 

What can I say?  They're local So Cal.  Gotta support your neighbors right?