Why Should Churches Have A Blog?
I feel that a blog can be your pulpit, your publication, your journal,
your way of contacting and staying in touch with
members who are unable to attend your service. I think the number one reason is to get the message out by reaching more people via blogging via social media.
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Jan 16, 2014
Keep in mind, it only makes sense if that is where your audience is. If the vast majority of your audience is of an older generation and is not on social media and/or prefers traditional paper-printed church bulletins, then a blog or social account will be more of a burden than anything else.
When you use a mismatched communication type (such as a blog that never gets read because your audience isn't interested in going online to read it, or doesn't typically do so anyway), you're creating more work for no real return.
If a majority of your audience has a desire to get more out of your church's website (as in, you can see many return visits to the church's website), then a blog may be worth considering -- especially since you can cross promote the blog in the church bulletin, or elsewhere.
Dec 20, 2013
Why wouldn't a major corporation that generates so much money and involves so many families in a positive way reach out in every way possible . Good deserves every outlet. I say plug in .
Philippians 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
http://www.openbible.info/topics/social_media_network
Dec 18, 2013
A blog is always a key component of any online marketing efforts these days. However, just to create a blog and post content without conducting the proper preparation and execution will often fail. You need to find out specifically what will make those readers that can not attend church not only read your blog but follow and interact with others on it.
My suggestion is to create content not necessarily directly connected to the church but will lead into those discussions once you grab the visitors attention. For example be on the forefront for community issues. As such, people who would not usually follow your intended purpose will be more likely to become interested
Dec 18, 2013
Yes, it is extremely difficult for the average person to successfully do this and if they can, they are probably an online marketer! However, to answer your question it is easiest to first visualize or even sketch out connections (even synonyms) that eventually lead to your end goal. For instance, while doing marketing work for a hotel, my end goal was of course to increase leads and sales coming from the website. So I built an online application that helped travelers coordinate their trip and sent it out free among the internet. More often than not, people would respond better to this tool than a direct advertisement, especially if you can establish yourself as a reputable source for industry information.
Dec 19, 2013
I appreciate your comments very much! When writing the article that triggered this question, my vision was focused on having the actual sermon on the blog. That is what I want to accomplish for my church. The sermon can be recorded "live" on a smartphone and sent straight to the blog within minutes. Anyone would be able to watch the sermon online & at anytime. Currently our services are available twice a week via cable & is only local. Having everything online would not only allow absentee church members to watch the service at anytime but anyone could watch. Interaction, comments, updates or other important information would be available. Recently I have recorded (on my iphone) brief segments of events we have had and sent it to my blog before the event was over. Absolutely the end goal would be to reach as many people as possible & what better way to do that than the Internet. Video blogging is powerful & doing it from your phone is fast and easy. I do it frequently on my blog.
Dec 12, 2013
Blogs are great for churches. Keeping the sense of community going when church is not in session works particularly well. Getting the congregation involved in the conversation builds that sense of community.
Dec 11, 2013
I truly appreciate all the comments on this post. Very much insight has been given and I will take this information and relay it to my church. Actually, we have a blog/bulletin...but I feel it should have a different format so it will allow for more interaction, have the message [ Video]on the blog, and use social media more effectively.
Dec 11, 2013
When I worked at a church a blog help us Communicate the activities of the week. It was another tool used to continue the theme as part of the teaching series brand. Yes, as part of a church we participated in marketing just like the rest of the world. :)
A blog was also used to continue a sermon, explore the message in other directions and connect with members during the week.
Dec 11, 2013
There are already a lot of great responses here, but it is important for all businesses to be able to reach their target market in the age of the internet, even for churches.
Blogging has the advantage of allowing people to read your message at all points in the day regardless of geographic location and date/time. More so, by having your message written and published rather than just spoken, it can be accessed multiple times and thus have a stronger impact on your audience.
Dec 11, 2013
Every church is different and a blog offers visitors a view to what yours is like.
Dec 11, 2013
I agree with the comments posted. A church could really benefit from blogging and other forms of social media. It would give the church a platform to reach out and connect with both existing parishioners and others that they have been unable to reach. There is so much content that can be shared to help people with the spritual side of life, especially if the blog is open to comments. It's a good idea to put an anti spam plugin on the blog so you are not swamped with irrelevant comments. I like the idea of sharing videos to illustrate a message. That would make it the blog very appealing. I hope you are able to start a church blog.
Interesting perspective! I agree that this would be valuable, but also difficult to brainstorm on and maintain for the average person. How do you suggest coming up with original, compelling content that isn't directly related to the organization?