You use Facebook, you use Twitter, You have a YouTube account, and you even have a smartphone.
Do you know what that means?
You are automatically assumed to be qualified as your church’s webmaster.
Exciting, right? Have no fear. You’ll be slinging IT vernacular before you know it.
Here’s your solution:
WordPress is Open Source
WordPress is free. There’s hardly a more beautiful statement when you’re an average sized American church (75-100). Plus, open source is generally actively developed and has a decent support community. In the case of WordPress, both of those aspects are a resounding: YES! WordPress is free, supported, and updated.
WordPress Has a Large User Base
With over 25 million websites and blogs built on WordPress, there’s no shortage of tips, tricks, and downloads. Having a problem? Don’t fear. A few looks through Google will reveal plenty of answers to your questions. WordPress makes corporate tech support look weak. Plus, could 25 million people that wrong?
WordPress Can Be Installed with Ease
Many web hosting companies offer a 1-click installs. The database, security settings, etc … are automatically configured for you. 1-click, that’s all it takes.
WordPress is Easy to Update and Edit
If you can use a word processor, you can update the website. If you can navigate Facebook, it’s even easier. This is the number one downfall of church websites. They’re never updated. With WordPress, you can setup multiple users and give each of them different updating responsibilities. Even a church of 100 members can put together their own Web Team.
WordPress Has Easy Themes
If you want to fully customize your website, you can. If you do have the “chops” to do it, you can more and likely find a free or premium theme that will strike your fancy.
WordPress Can Do More
Do you want to add a podcast? How about an event calendar? Or, maybe receive donations? You can do all of these things (and more) with a WordPress plugin. There’s no need to know all that code, just plug it in!
Ready?
Are you ready to be a webmaster of WordPress for your church, now?
For great resources to get started, there are many resources on the 8BIT blogs, as well as TentBlogger.com. Although TentBlogger’s main focus is on blogging, many of the fundamentals, tools and tutorials can be applied to your church’s new website.
Brian Notess says
Dude! It’s like you’re hacking into my brain and reading my mind. 😉
Eric Dye says
If I had hacked into your brain, this post would have been EPIC.
Brian Notess says
In all reality, I currently use WordPress as our church’s CMS and have developed one other Church site using WP. I hope to do many more 🙂
Eric Dye says
My church back in the States went in another direction … total FAIL.
WordPress is boomsauce.
Ben says
Nice article. Love it!
Eric Dye says
🙂
Vernon Lidstone says
Hi
I would like to become a member of Church Mag but the “Become a member ” box only provides a login, no way to register.
I am in the UK does that cause a problem?
Kind regards