Reach new people and connect with visitors in meaningful ways when your church website content is created for purpose and engagement.
Welcome to the age of digital church, where the website has become a virtual front door. As we continue to move forward into this new era of church ministry, churches need to leverage their website to serve people who are first thinking about religion, Christianity, God, and Jesus. To capture these opportunities, churches should publish content that engages and nurtures visitors on various topics and felt needs.
5 FORMS of Church Website Content Your Church Should Consider Publishing
1. Blog Posts
One of the ways churches can provide visitors with more information about their church and the Christian faith is through blog articles. Blogs can be a great way to share news, promote events, and offer resources that help visitors learn more.
Published articles can cover topics such as church history, key beliefs, and how other visitors have experienced the church. Additionally, blogs can be used to promote upcoming events or highlight members of the congregation.
2. Video Content
Video content can be a powerful way to reach new people and offer them information about the church in an engaging, accessible format. With the rise of YouTube nation, churches should create videos that explain their mission and core beliefs but also feature stories of how the church impacts people’s lives in tangible ways.
Videos can cover topics such as sermons, community outreach, family and youth program activities, mission trips, or other ministry activities hosted by the church.
Pro Tip: Don’t overlook the power of a plan-your-visit video. Learn why you need one (and how to create it!) at 10 Essential Elements To Include In Your Church's Plan-Your-Visit Video.
3. Online Courses
More churches are now offering online courses to help visitors learn more about the Christian faith and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Courses can include topics such as studying the Bible, developing spiritual disciplines, biblical literacy, and learning how to pray effectively. These courses can offer an interactive way for people to engage with the church’s mission and expand their knowledge of Christianity.
Having a hard time gathering church attendees for classes? Turn your hard work into an online course that visitors can engage with on their own time. Click To Tweet4. Podcasts
Podcasts provide another platform for churches to share valuable content such as sermons, interviews with members of the congregation, and other stories related to ministry work going on within the church community. Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular and allow potential visitors to access content without having to come into the physical building of a church.
Our favorite podcasts: Top Bible Podcasts To Subscribe To In 2023
5. Downloadable Guides and Resources
Digital resources are a very effective way to provide valuable information to any website visitor who is exploring Christianity. Churches should create digital resources such as e-books, online Bible studies, and devotional guides that can be accessed from anywhere. Digital resources allow people to explore the Christian faith on their own terms and encourage them further to develop a grounded understanding of Christian beliefs and practices.
By publishing more forms of content, churches can provide visitors with helpful information about Christianity as well as compelling stories about how the church is making an impact on people’s lives in formats that are best preferred by any given website visitor. This content can help attract new visitors to the church while also creating more opportunities for meaningful engagement with existing members.
Site check: 3 Top Mistakes Found On Church Home Pages
Where should you publish stories on your church’s website? Publish stories in your website’s blog section or create a dedicated Stories page where visitors can check out the most recent entries.
If your church isn't currently leveraging its website to publish these formats of content, now is the time to start. By developing and implementing the above forms of content on your church website, you will be better positioned to reach new people and engage with existing visitors in meaningful ways.
5 Church Website Content Topics You Should Be Publishing
1. Basics of Christianity
Teaching/instructional content allows readers to learn more about Jesus and the Bible. This type of content could be based on sermon transcripts, blog articles on spiritual topics, or even podcasts. The goal is for readers to walk away from the experience with a better understanding of Christianity.
2. Community Stories
As people search for a church home online, they want to know that they can find community at your church. Community stories provide an opportunity for readers to see how others have been blessed by being part of your congregation. This can be done through written stories, photo galleries, and videos that highlight how individuals have been transformed by joining your congregation community.
3. Devotionals
A devotional is a short reflection that includes scripture and actionable steps for applying what was read. Devotionals offer an opportunity for readers to engage with God in a meaningful way without having to commit large amounts of time or energy to reading long passages or books. They also give readers something tangible they can do daily as they work towards growing closer in their relationship with God.
4. Church Life – Events & Programs
People naturally like to know what’s going on within their local church community so websites must include information on upcoming events and programs hosted by the church, such as youth groups, small groups, bible studies, etc. This type of content not only informs visitors but also excites them enough that they may decide to visit your physical location shortly after browsing your website.
5. Guidance on the Practice of Prayer
Prayer is one of the most powerful ways for Christians to connect with God. It is an important part of growing and maintaining a relationship with Him. Unfortunately, many people feel they don't know how to pray or what components should be included in prayer. A church's website is the perfect place to help people understand what prayer is, reduce hesitancy, remove feelings of anxiousness, and simplify the spiritual practice so that the visitor doesn't feel intimidated. This can consist of many different elements, such as sharing videos, publishing written prayers, and introducing common prayer frameworks that include adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, etc.
Keep reading: 5 Critical Things Websites Of Growing Church Include
6. FAQ's about church, faith, Christianity, Jesus, God, and more.
A church website is a great place to answer questions people have about Christianity and faith. FAQs provide an opportunity for readers to get the answers they need without having to visit the church in person or engage with someone directly. By providing content that addresses commonly asked questions, churches can create an atmosphere of openness and transparency while also helping individuals feel more comfortable as they explore their faith journey. Questions may include topics such as what Christians believe, why Jesus died on the cross, who God is, and much more. Providing detailed responses can help visitors understand complex theological concepts and give them clarity on issues relating to Christian doctrine.
Connect and Engage with Church Website Content
If churches want to increase engagement from website visitors who are exploring religion and Christianity for the first time, they must create content around various felt needs and topics such as teaching/instructional material, community stories, devotionals, event and program information, etc.
Publishing more helpful content provides an opportunity for those searching online to have meaningful interactions with your site regarding their own personal faith journey without ever having stepped foot inside the actual building itself. It also increases the chances that those same individuals will visit you physically when they do decide it's time to take things offline.
With all these benefits in mind—you must ensure your church website has these six categories (and more) covered.
Stay on top of the latest in church tech and engagement at the Church Online Podcast, brought to you by ChurchTechToday.com, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Kenny Jahng.
