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.
Dec 11, 2013
Blogs are very helpful from a SEO point of view. you will gain visibility and make sure that your website stays updated for search engines.
Hope it helps,
Rocco
Dec 11, 2013
I have been involved with Church websites in the past as a not for profit group. They used it to put out information and to have a "professional" website for people who were interested.
Dec 11, 2013
Of course they should have a blog, but like any organization, the content should be consistent and as high quality as possible. Too many bloggers get caught up in frequency of posting thinking they will lose followers if they don't post a few times a week and the writing suffers. That's where followers are really lost.
But I beg to differ with Jonathan - blogging is not the best social media to reach teens, but it's outstanding for adults and seniors.
Dec 19, 2013
Targeting teens with a blog would be easy. Teens are on their phones all the time and having a blog that contains a video of the service would be very accessible to them. They could watch the service within minutes after it ended or anytime they choose. Video blogging and having the ability to do it from your smartphone and sending it straight to your blog is powerful. People (young and old) comprehend and learn in different ways...some have to see (read) and others need to hear (listen/video). I totally agree with you that content with any blog is important and consistency in the posts would be vital. Interaction such as comments or updates during the week would help maintain (and increase) followers. Thanks for your comments...very much appreciated Wayne!
Dec 11, 2013
I think the blog is a great way to reach the younger audience. These days, churches do a lot to "modernize" themselves as hip and cool with the style of sermons and worship music.
It's not only teens who write blogs of course, but you're reaching them in a medium they're familiar with. Plus, it makes it that much easier to review topics and spread messages.
Dec 11, 2013
I am on board with everyone else with blogs for Churches. A church is... or should be... like any other business, in regards to their online presence. Social media, a good website, a mobile website, video marketing and getting found in local searches are all important and effective tools to consider.
Dec 11, 2013
Thanks Dan! I am all for video marketing, mobile website, and blogging from your mobile device. When a message/sermon or overall information can be shared it definitely should be.
Dec 9, 2013
A church should have a blog for the same reasons and B2B or B2C business has a blog:
- To share information of value
- To keep members and prospective members apprised of activities
- To educate, inform and answer questions
- To inspire, motivate and comfort,
- To build awareness
- To build a repository of knowledge from which others can benefit
- To expand your website and generate more traffic
- Improve SEO
- Differentiate the church and establish it as both a thought leader as well as an active participant in social media
- Generate more prospective members of the church
Dec 9, 2013
Thanks for your comments Tom. Very much appreciated and you definitely hit it right on the mark.
Dec 9, 2013
You mentioned SEO and social media and I just wanted to add that you are so right about how this could help. It is unfortunate that many church leaders & members are not even aware of those terms.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Dec 9, 2013
Of course...every organization (religious, social, etc.) should have a blog. Every institution should have the ability to communicate / exchange information frequently to a mass group and identify with their concerns.
Dec 9, 2013
Thanks for your comments Monica. Very insightful and I agree with you. Everyone (business or person) should have a blog. Blogs have many more capabilities that a lot of people are unaware of. Being able to post a blog (whether written or video) from your mobile device makes it easier and less time consuming. A lot of people don't realize this.
Thanks again!
Dec 9, 2013
A church blog is an awesome, and wide reaching medium to have! Churches are getting more into the social media world- for instance constantly updating their websites, have a Facebook page, to even having a Twitter feed.
I am a Roman Catholic, and I have found that churches with blogs reach out to a different realm of people, including those that are not members of your parish, or those that attend your church. It helps with larger attendance at church events, initiates spirited conversation, and allows for the church administration to post things that otherwise would not be included in a bulletin, or announced at the regular mass.
A blog can certainly be your pulpit! But it also allows others to voice their concerns and questions directly to you, that they may not be able to do when sitting in front of an actual pulpit.
As a freelance content writer and blogger for non-profits, and other businesses, I highly recommend it! They are easy to access, Blogger for example through Google is a free and easy to use site to write a creative blog.
Good Luck!
Dec 9, 2013
Thanks for your comments Becky. Very insightful and I absolutely agree with you. Reaching out to more people is the key. Interaction on a blog can prove to help the church as well as the members and others who need to be reached.
The blogging platform I use allows you post a video (sermon/message) from your computer or mobile device straight to your blog within minutes. I feel this is powerful so people can watch the message being presented. It also has the ability to make a blog public or private in case a blog is targeted to specific church member sor groups.
TV ministry is great but very limited. With a blog, anyone can watch the message at their convenience, comment, and receive feedback.
Thanks again!
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?