My friend, and fellow worrier, Chris and his new website assistant Janine from North Shore Church sat down for several hours today so they could learn how to use their new website. He went home and posted his first blog entry already tonight. I’m impressed.
So what’s the bid deal? Is a website so important for a church?
One of my new favorite restaurants is Red Robin. Not because of their Royal Red Robin Burger(R)…
“This is the aristocrat of all burgers because we crown it with a fresh fried egg. In addition, topped with three strips of hickory-smoked bacon, American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomatoes and mayo.”
… but because of their attitude about service.
The first time someone visits your church shouldn’t be the last, but in our efforts to help someone feel welcome we can often do just the opposite. It’s kind of like the pushy salesmen – the harder you try the further you push them away.
Take a look at a couple ways people tend to separate themselves from visitors when their real intent is to get closer.
This keeps coming up everywhere I am lately; We hear about someone who didn’t like something about how we do what we do and our response is “well, we can’t please everyone.” I say this all the time, backed up with what Jesus said about people that were being neither hot or cold, and what Jesus told people that if you follow me that the world would hate you.
And most people would agree. We can’t please everyone. But does that mean we shouldn’t try?
There are many ways to accept gifts (or tithes) on a church website. Many, however, have serious drawbacks.
In this article, Kent Shaffer lists some of the most common ways churches are offering this option.