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What is
probably the greatest responsibility of the church? The answer may provoke
some serious discussion, but most would agree that spreading the word of
God is one of the most, if not the most important responsibilities. Below
is a list of 10 ways that a Christian church can Spread the Word.
10 Ways to
Spread the Word
1. Individual Awareness
Provide Information to
Visitors and Those Moving Into the Area
-
When you prepare for a trip, you probably research the area to see what
is available and to find a church. In the past, you probably sent away
for information, asked friends for recommendations, or ‘took a chance’.
Now many people use the Internet for research.
-
Would you like to make information about your church available to
potential visitors and new members? Tell them: where you are, when you
worship, and what you have to offer. They will arrive feeling as if they
already know your church.
-
Take the opportunity to make a great first impression, offer a
well-designed website that welcomes outsiders in and gives them a clear
picture of what to expect when they visit your church.
2. Community Awareness
Make Your Information
Available To Members of Your Community
- Many people
are completely unaware of which churches in their area or what they offer.
A website is an effective way to reach out to the community and provide
information on what your church has to offer.
- It is the
most popular form of advertising. It provides a tremendous amount of
exposure to a world of potential readers for relative little investment
and maintenance.
- If you want
your community to be more aware of what you have to offer, you have to
reach out to them and make them conscious of your existence and offerings.
3. World Awareness
Spread the Word of Jesus
Christ to All Corners of the World
- If you want
to spread the word of Christ beyond your community even to places where
missionaries and Bibles are not allowed, the Internet can help you.
- The Internet
is the medium that can provide the way into millions of peoples’ lives,
especially those isolated from traditional methods of ministry. Your
church could be the instrument that introduces them to the word of Jesus
Christ.
4. Counsel Others
Share Your Beliefs,
Concerns, and Ideas with Christians with Issues
- Many people
go through times where they struggle with various aspects of their faith.
Often people will search the Internet for opinions on the matter.
- You have an
opportunity to counsel them in their time of need by offering your
spirit-lifting thoughts.
- A monthly
motivational page or transcripts of your favorite sermons may be a way for
you to provide others with just the words they need at the time in their
life when they need your word the most.
5. Member Communication
Easy, Timely
Communications to Your Church Family
- Is your
church having a difficult time getting its word out to its members? Do you
have a communication gap? Have you tried several different methods but
none seems the end-all? Well, the answer is that there is no one ideal way
to communicate; you must use all avenues available to you.
- A website is
not the best medium for time-sensitive information such as schedule
changes but it is ideal for monthly schedules, upcoming events
announcements, and other less time-sensitive events.
6. Distant Communication
Communicate/Network with
Distant Christians
- As you may
use your website to communicate with members of your congregation, you may
use the Internet to communicate with other Christians.
- A website
will allow your church to maintain contact with members who are away for
extended periods of time (members of the military, college students, etc.)
or who have moved away. In addition to providing a sense of belonging
while away, maintaining contact could be the difference between their
returning to church when they return to the area or not.
7. Missionary Work
Open Potential New
Avenues for Support
- Do you have
mission work that you are involved in, possibly in the areas of parish
life, outreach, and worship? Would you like to reach out to a broader
audience than your congregation and expand your missionary work? Your
website can be your voice to the world, presenting your work and
soliciting support and involvement.
- Your
missionary work may also inspire others to partake in similar missionary
ventures. While not directly assisting your work it may provide similar
efforts in other parts of the world.
8. Provide Answers
Answer Frequently Asked
Questions about Christianity
- People are
presented with information about Christianity from a wide variety of
sources. Some information is accurate, some is not, and some is biased and
not in favor of the church. You have an obligation to help to clarify what
is accurate.
- The Internet
provides you with a vehicle to provide answers to questions people may
have but are uncertain where to turn for answers. You can rely on them to
receive accurate answers for others or you can be the one to reveal the
truth.
9. Provide Research Tools
Assist Those Trying To
Learn or To Prepare Their Own Material
-
When you
prepare a sermon, lesson, or other instructional material you probably
research what others have thought and said about the subject. It helps to
read what others have said on the subject as everyone expresses things in
their own way.
-
Accordingly,
if you present your words on your website, your unique perspective on a
subject may serve as just the right angle that someone else needs to get
their feelings across to a person in need. Wouldn’t you like to be able to
help them to help others?
10. Provide an Outlet
Help Technical and
Creative People Express Their Faith
-
Are you the
only one in your church with a gift for expressing their faith in a manner
that conveys feeling and assists understanding of the word of Jesus
Christ? Most likely not. You probably have members that are similarly
gifted. These people would probably benefit greatly from being able to
express their feelings and beliefs and others would probably benefit from
their word as well.
-
A section
devoted to the (edited) writings of church members may boost the
involvement on interaction of your members will simultaneously benefiting
others possibly thousands of miles away in remote countries.
-
It is
everyone’s responsibility to use his or her God-given gifts to the glory
of God. If you have church members that have something to say, if they
wish to spread the Gospel, it is your and their duty to present those
thoughts and your church website is the perfect medium for that.
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