What Should Be There?

[LilLamb219]

What do you think should be on a Lutheran website?

My church is forming a committee to help out with our new website and I'd like some input before I go to the meeting next week.

I did notice that currently in the What We Believe section that there is no mention of Baptism or the Lord's Supper so I mentioned it to the webmaster...that's how I found out about the upcoming meeting LOL I know how to talk myself into getting involved into more and more things, don't I????? ugh.

Anyway, what is essential for a Lutheran website. What would be nice to see on a site?

Thanks to all who reply!

[AngelusSax]

The theology of the Cross is important, as is Baptism and The Lord's Supper.

At least one of the creeds should be on the site (either Apostle's or Nicene, but the Athanasian might give people computer-monitor-induced headaches, lol).

Perhaps have a history section of the page that outlines the highlights of our church's history (don't need a scholarly essay, but some bullet points beginning with the 95 theses would be nice).

A current-affairs section, with stances of the church on those issues, even if the stance is "still in debate" or "still under prayerful consideration" or whatever.

That's all I can think of now.

Except of course for Luther's Rose in a gif or jpeg somewhere, like the top lefthand corner of the page, or perhaps in every corner for a nice symmetrical effect.

[BigNorsk]

Is it a website for your congregation?
-a general Lutheranism website?
-Lutheran hymns written with 30 km of Ringebu, Norge?

Answer would be somewhat different depending on the case.

I know you know the answer, I just don't know the answer. Though a congregational website is implied.

Marv

Oh, and it is usually easier to edit than create from scratch. Do you have a link to the old website?

[LilLamb219]

Thank you, AngelusSax for the tips. I'll add them to my notes!

Marv, it's our congregational website. We do have an existing website which was a project of one of the members for school. http://www.redeemerhighland.org/

Take a peek if you dare ;)

[BigNorsk]

The links to other sites being on the home page is a little unusual. Normally, links would be on a separate page. Part of the reason is that they sometimes need to be updated or others added.

Should be a link to the email or private message of whomever maintains the site. Usually on the bottom of the pages to report problems with the site.

Love the animated shepherd and sheep on the Christian Education page.

I didn't see anything on Missions, too bad your church doesn't do anything or support anyone. Just kidding.

The background on the main page kind of overpowers the menu. A finer texture or heavier font would work a little better.

Some churches record the sermons and have them on site.

I didn't see how to find the church. Some do a link to one of the map places. Other's make a map page. It might sound a bit strange but I would include gps coordinates, a lot of people can navigate to you if they have those.

Some of what you have on a website depends on how much time is going to be devoted. For instance you could put thing like the announcements for the week on the site. But it's better not to do it at all than have people reading the announcements for March 4, 2003.

One thing to keep in mind is not to make the website a way for some sicko find their next victum among your parishioners. It really shouldn't contain personal info.

Even things like remember the big parish retreat is next weekend, we are all going far away for three days. Pastor and his family and leading the convoy followed by all the church council and their families as well. Only Mrs. Smith will be unable to attend, she will have to stay home alone due to work and miss out on the fun with her family.

See what I mean? Just something to keep in mind. Don't be like the lady that drives around with license plates that say "Fxy Ldy" could just as well be "Pick ME if you are a bad person!" but I guess that wouldn't fit.

I would be careful showing pictures of things like the "new computer" for the office. Anything that looks like gold and such. No use tempting people who can't control themselves.

Can't think of much else. A lot is just simple personal preference and how much time you want to spend.

Marv

[LilLamb219]

You've given me a lot to relay to the new committee! Thanks!

I didn't see anything on Missions, too bad your church doesn't do anything or support anyone. Just kidding.

THAT POINT IS AWESOME! Yes, we do help on missions and it would be great to add them to the site!

I'm very helpful for all the advice so far. If anyone has anything further to add, I'd appreciate it!

[Tetzel]

small catechism

[LutherNut]

What do you think should be on a Lutheran website?

My church is forming a committee to help out with our new website and I'd like some input before I go to the meeting next week.

I did notice that currently in the What We Believe section that there is no mention of Baptism or the Lord's Supper so I mentioned it to the webmaster...that's how I found out about the upcoming meeting LOL I know how to talk myself into getting involved into more and more things, don't I????? ugh.

Anyway, what is essential for a Lutheran website. What would be nice to see on a site?

Thanks to all who reply!

If you have a calendar, it needs to be updated continuously. To have someone do that requires a committment. I've seen too many times where a site will have a calendar and after a while it never gets updated. There is nothing worse than a website for a church that in August is still advertising it's Christmas services. (I see that alot!)
There is an online calendar service called localendar (www.localendar.com) that is free and automatically updates. You add the events to the particular da. When that month is over, it goes away. And it can be set up to be updated by numerous people easily online so that one person isn't the only one responsible for the calendar.

Also, KFUO radio has some great links for audio programs available. You place the link on your web page and it links to the KFUO site. And the best part is... they update it every day! You do nothing! Check out this site (http://www.luther95.net/SJLC-ANY) to see them.

Oh, and another thing... pictures! Show us your church family and your youth events, etc.


Jay:thumbsup:

[LilLamb219]

Those are all great. Keep them coming. I've begun adding everything into a notebook to take with me :)

[ctay]

I need to talk to my pastor about doing a webpage for our church, we don't have one.

[Rechtgläubig]

links to http://www.biblegateway.com/ ; www.bookofconcord.org (http://www.bookofconcord.org/) and http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/

:thumbsup:

[SPALATIN]

links to http://www.biblegateway.com/ ; www.bookofconcord.org (http://www.bookofconcord.org/) and http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/

:thumbsup:

AMEN! These are great links. I have them in my "Favorites" folder and have used them repeatedly.