When I was on staff at our church there wasn’t, and still isn’t, really a budget for this area. There actually wasn’t even an online presence strategy (still isn’t).
Ministry clients- I tell them what I charge normally and offer a sliding scale discount (based on congregation size and scope of project). Would I ever charge a ministry full price? Yes. (And I have.) Would I ever offer my services or help for free? Yes. (Done that too.)
I’d sit down and have a serious conversation about strategy with the person/people you know will give you a concerted ear. Come from the side of you wanting to really be a worthy steward of the resources entrusted to you (and, by extension, your church). And that by planning ahead everything will be better for all.
I hear you Nick and without wanting to sound as if I’m moaning (because I’m not) then it’s unlikely to change without a move of God.
It’s my lot and I’m happy with it most of the time. The times I’m not are my problem.
The pastor did ask me a couple of years back what would be the top 5 things I’d do if they had an official IT budget. I think he was stunned that I came straight back with 5 things off the top of my head – so stunned he’s never asked again 🙂 but I do keep asking, suggesting, etc …
We budgeted for a redesign in 2007 and then hired the designer as a full time Associate TD. Now that we have a web guy on staff we budget for server space, domain registration and the normal stuff. Web presence is valued by our leadership but we have to think of expenses well ahead.
My church has a “website” budget, if you can call it that. We call it Digital Missions. But I understand that it’s not the norm.
I finished my final project for a ministry client last month. I’m no longer working on web projects for ministries for a few reasons, but mainly because 90% of the ministries I’ve helped have been horrible clients.
Honestly, business clients aren’t any better, but at least I won’t be as frustrated and I won’t be pressured to underbid projects.
In our church it was “ministry.” I did all my work free. The only thing the church pays for is the hosting service and the one time start up fee for the website.
Don’t misunderstand I believe people should be paid for their work, it was just in my case I did it for ministry. I believe it is not too far off for our church to have a web budget, but we still have to many who are just learning what “email” is to understand the necessity of a web budget. =))
Our Web Budget gets lumped in with our IT budget. Don’t really know if it’s separated by anything. I often wonder why it wouldn’t be with our media/tech budget, but who knows.
We’re doing research on this topic for one of our lessons. If you have and are willing to share specifics, your info could be helpful to churches working on smart decisions about outreach through the web. Thanks.
Nick Shoemaker says
When I was on staff at our church there wasn’t, and still isn’t, really a budget for this area. There actually wasn’t even an online presence strategy (still isn’t).
Ministry clients- I tell them what I charge normally and offer a sliding scale discount (based on congregation size and scope of project). Would I ever charge a ministry full price? Yes. (And I have.) Would I ever offer my services or help for free? Yes. (Done that too.)
Stuart says
We’re the same. No budget but the conversation usually goes like this:
“Stuart, how much can we do XYZ for?”
My translation of that is – we’ve had a look and think everything is too expensive so can you work your magic and find us something cheaper.
Sad but true.
Nick Shoemaker says
That’s too bad man.
I’d sit down and have a serious conversation about strategy with the person/people you know will give you a concerted ear. Come from the side of you wanting to really be a worthy steward of the resources entrusted to you (and, by extension, your church). And that by planning ahead everything will be better for all.
best of bro!
Stuart says
I hear you Nick and without wanting to sound as if I’m moaning (because I’m not) then it’s unlikely to change without a move of God.
It’s my lot and I’m happy with it most of the time. The times I’m not are my problem.
The pastor did ask me a couple of years back what would be the top 5 things I’d do if they had an official IT budget. I think he was stunned that I came straight back with 5 things off the top of my head – so stunned he’s never asked again 🙂 but I do keep asking, suggesting, etc …
John Saddington says
free. i know that too well.
Travis says
We budgeted for a redesign in 2007 and then hired the designer as a full time Associate TD. Now that we have a web guy on staff we budget for server space, domain registration and the normal stuff. Web presence is valued by our leadership but we have to think of expenses well ahead.
John Saddington says
sweet!
Scott Magdalein says
My church has a “website” budget, if you can call it that. We call it Digital Missions. But I understand that it’s not the norm.
I finished my final project for a ministry client last month. I’m no longer working on web projects for ministries for a few reasons, but mainly because 90% of the ministries I’ve helped have been horrible clients.
Honestly, business clients aren’t any better, but at least I won’t be as frustrated and I won’t be pressured to underbid projects.
John Saddington says
PUAHAHAHA. i had a response but i deleted it all… it would’t have been helpful.
Lori says
In our church it was “ministry.” I did all my work free. The only thing the church pays for is the hosting service and the one time start up fee for the website.
John Saddington says
wow! what a great heart you have lori!
Lori says
Don’t misunderstand I believe people should be paid for their work, it was just in my case I did it for ministry. I believe it is not too far off for our church to have a web budget, but we still have to many who are just learning what “email” is to understand the necessity of a web budget. =))
John Saddington says
🙂 gotcha!
Eric Rovtar says
Our Web Budget gets lumped in with our IT budget. Don’t really know if it’s separated by anything. I often wonder why it wouldn’t be with our media/tech budget, but who knows.
John Saddington says
hmm. separation is good…
Cheryl Harrison says
We’re doing research on this topic for one of our lessons. If you have and are willing to share specifics, your info could be helpful to churches working on smart decisions about outreach through the web. Thanks.