4 Creative Ways to Turn Your Church Website into an Evangelistic Tool

Drive traffic to your church website by meeting the needs of your visitors.

1. PROVIDE ONLINE BIBLE STUDIES

When you think about Bible studies, what picture comes to mind? For me, I used to imagine sitting in a circle with other attendees, Bibles opened in one hand and a pen in another, while balancing a notepad on your knee and quickly scribbling down everything a Bible instructor is saying. While some Bible study sessions might look like this, that picture is very different as the Digital Age rolls on.

You can use your church website to host a study with people from all over the globe! You have quite a few options, here are some suggestions to start with:

3 Ways to launch online Bible Studies at your church

1. Create your own study guides

  • Design slides in PowerPoint and turn them into PDF’s

  • Create studies on various subjects

2. Use video conference calls

  • Open your church to people in different parts of the world.

  • Individuals can study from home.

3. Pre-record Bible study videos

  • Create a video series

  • Upload to your church website and allow individuals to study on their own time.


Quick Tip: Make Bible Studies Relevant

Don’t just study Bible topics in isolation – show how the subjects are relevant and practical in day-to-day life.


Quick Tip: Don’t Be Boring!

The Bible is not a boring book and your online study shouldn’t be either. Show how God’s Word can stimulate the mind.



2. HOST A PODCAST ON RELEVANT ISSUES

Most church podcasts feature their sermons but why not take it a step further by creating a show for your church website visitors? What do I mean? People are always searching for podcasts that can teach them valuable information or that are related to their interests. What are the needs of the people at your church?


Research the needs of people online and create a podcast that provides answers. 

Some ideas:

Have members over age 50? Launch a podcast exploring retirement.

Lots of young adults? Create a podcast on ADULTING 101

For kids? Record Bible stories for parents to play at bedtime. 


Implementing ideas like this into your church’s podcast will have members and visitors alike clicking back for more.


3. START A PASTOR'S BLOG

Sabbath morning doesn’t have to be the only time that your congregation hears from your pastor. Stretch the pulpit and let it reach your church website. If you think that it means uploading your pastor’s written sermon, I challenge you to look deeper.

What questions swirl in the minds of your members? Collect those questions and have your pastor write a blog post answering a question each week. With a creative pastor’s blog, it won’t be long until members and readers begin to think:

  • My pastor took the time to answer my question.

  • I should share this blog with a friend!

  • I can include this blog in my devotion time.


4. DO MORE WITH VIDEO

Video does a great job driving traffic to a website – this includes church websites. Humans love stories. With a cellphone in hand to capture quality video and sound, record individuals sharing how they came to know Jesus Christ and how faith in God brings them through trying moments. Take it a step further. Target various professionals in your congregation and create video content based on their area of expertise. For example, if Mr. B is a psychologist, produce a short video series on mental health or if Sister C is a financial officer, film 1-minute money-management tips. 


'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'And I will send you out to fish for people': Matthew 4:19


Jesus gave people a reason to follow Him. He met their needs and showed them the perfect image of the Father. A church website is a powerful tool to share the compassionate Savior. By applying best practices and stepping outside the box, you can transform your church website into a digital fishing net.


By Felicia Datus as published at: https://www.centerforonlineevangelism.org/4-creative-ways-to-turn-your-church-website-into-an-evangelistic-tool/