More than 100 million adults in North America are connected to the World Wide Web. The Internet is fast emerging as the most significant communications technology of the twenty-first century.
And it’s getting harder to find churches without Internet access and their own Web sites.
But what are we doing with our little corner of the Web?
On one end of the spectrum, there’s Totalechurch.com. This Internet church has no worship facilities, no buildings, no faces in the congregation—only screen names logged on from parts unknown. Sermons are delivered by streaming audio, counseling by e-mail, fellowship via chat rooms.
On the other end are the thousands of churches whose Web pages consist only of a logo with service times and directions printed beneath. It’s an electronic version of a Yellow Pages ad.
And in vast middle ground between these extremes, many churches are pioneering new and intriguing uses of the Internet to lend virtual enhancement to their flesh-and-blood ministries.
Only a tiny percentage of first-time visitors are attracted solely by a Web site. However, an increasing number of visitors indicate that a Web site was part of their exposure to the church.
Clicking on any face, viewers see that person’s testimony and get a glimpse of what God is doing.
Steve Phelps of Solid Rock Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, used the Web to start the church. A mass mailing of 25,000 postcards invited people to visit a site (www.solid-rockchurch.com) where they could check out pictures of a service and read about the church’s philosophy and vision. A high percentage of the church’s initial attenders had visited the site.
First Assembly of God Family Church in Lufkin, Texas, puts members’ photos on the opening page of its site (www.lufkinfirstassembly.org). By clicking on any face, viewers see that person’s testimony and get a glimpse of what God is doing in the body.
But does a Web site really increase attendance? Ken Gehrels of Calvin Christian Reformed Church, Nepean, Ontario, is cautious (www.cyberus.ca/~calvincrc). “A good Web site is about the same as a good high-quality pastor,” he says, “good for maybe 2 percent of the people who visit a church. The rest come from relationships.”
Many churches use their sites to enhance congregational life. They supplement monthly newsletters and weekly bulletins with an online announcement board.
Point of Grace Church in Des Moines, Iowa, posts a calendar of events with last-minute details on its site (www.pointofgrace.org). They also give an update on the church’s building campaign, complete with fundraising details and a floor plan.
Many churches include a spot where viewers can get copies of past sermons, either in manuscript form or via streaming audio (an increasingly popular technology that allows users to listen to, rather than read, material on the computer). In some churches, the computer feed is replacing the tape ministry.
“Just as we’ve gotten away from mimeographs,” said Phelps, “we’re getting away from audio tapes and moving to streaming of audio for people who can’t be there or who want to have a special service that meant a lot to them.”
Web site visitors can obtain the manuscript for the coming Sunday’s service at Calvary CRC. Gehrels said, “As I make my way down the aisle to the pulpit on Sunday, it’s not uncommon for me to see someone with a copy of my sermon in hand.”
Gehrels supplements his manuscripts with e-mail to members during the week, giving them questions to mull over so that they can get the most out of each message.
Some churches use the Web site to equip members for ministry. At Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Web site (www.calvarychapel.org/albq) is an extension of the church’s vision, providing apologetics and evangelistic material. If a member is sharing the gospel with a co-worker, she can log on to the church site and obtain answers to questions that may arise.
Xenos Christian Fellowship in Columbus, Ohio, also has an extensive database of apologetics and exegetical materials on their site (www.xenos.org). A powerful search engine allows members to find quickly the most relevant materials.
While Christian ministry will always be about face-to-face relationships, our thoughtful use of the Web will increasingly influence those relationships in the next century.
Craig A. Smith is associate pastor of Heritage Evangelical Free Church 1057 N. Park Street Castle Rock CO 80104 Syker@aol.com
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