A couple pages back, the question was raised "Why Build and Maintain a Church/Ministry Web Site ?" and "What is the purpose or mission of our Web Site ?"

If the emphasis of the web site is local, then the web site should include information found in the church bulletin, names of those confined, those in the hospital, general announcments, special announcements, speakers, and various meetings of the church. Brief descriptions of special events can be placed on the home page (keep it short, always link to another page for a fuller description). E-mail addresses should be readily available, but not physical addresses for security reasons. If the pages are over three screens long by pressing the page down arrow, then divide the page into more pages. Keep scrolling to a minimum.

More and more retirement homes, convalescent homes, and hospitals are putting in internet access plugs. Why not furnish a small portable computer that brings up the church's home page and e-mail. The patients e-mail address can then be listed on the church's home page and/or shut-ins page. The number of temporary alias e-mail addresses would depend upon the number of portable computers used for this purpose.

Anything the church does by telephone, printed material, planning, meeting, etc., can be placed on the internet. If it is general knowledge, publish it on the web. The church members will eventually start using it.

Is the church web site a cobweb or an active site? Take a survey of those with e-mail and internet access to find out how many and as a percentage, have used the web site in the last week, last month, last three months, last six months, or never. Now should local church use the internet as an extension of pastoral care?

With regard to the occasional viewer of the church's web site, known as missions or world evangelism, what does the church's web site offer? Is it a "Me Too Site" as discussed in the first page of this study with little or no spiritual purpose? Has the web site been registered with various search engines as the last page of this study explains? In other words, how are people going to find your web site? What does your web site offer in the line of spiritual growth for Christians and non-Christians? Does the church web site encourage two way communication either by e-mail or a collect long-distance telephone call? Is the church willing to work with people outside the community and absorb the expenses involved?

How is the church home page going to be divided up to cover the purposes and missions of the church? Keep it simple and keep it uncluttered. Remember, the web site needs to have a purpose or mission to be evangelistic.