Religious organizations must adapt too

12Sep11

As I was reading this week’s chapter on creative industries, I thought back to a few weeks ago at church when they officially rolled out their new website and logo. The pastor tailored his message to convey the reason and meaning behind this change, and its importance in order to stay relevant and connect to people they way people connect to each other. It’s not about having a fancy website that will impress new visitors or anything, but about fitting in to people’s everyday life.

Just a few days ago I was looking for information on non-profits and found a website that had tips for creating an effective website for non-profits.  Among this was also a list for the top 50 church websites. As I browsed through the websites I thought back to our church’s new site and realized how common it has become for religious organizations use media to connect to their audience.  Now someone can tithe online, watch sermons you may have missed or want to preview (before attending), connect to others with similar interests, share stories, find volunteer opportunities, track your visitation, and of course follow on Facebook or Twitter.

This concept is something that my grandmother would probably grumble about and say is irrelevant to her idea of what a church is about, but it looks to me like this is a great example of cultural convergence. This sector has found a way to integrate into our busy lives, connect with as many people as possible, and somehow make it a more personal experience. 

http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/galleries/best-church-websites/

By Stephanie Smith

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