So what exactly is the purpose of a website for missions? I can't give a formulaic answer to the question but I can sure ask more questions (as if this question isn't enough) and have some partial answers that are my perspectives on the topic. So here's my crack at it in part 1 of my thought stream on this topic:
What is God's purpose for missions?
This is a loaded question that can have a TON of answers... but let's try to expound on this at a very high level. Missions is for the advancement of the fame of the Lord. As we can observe all through the Bible, God's purpose for confronting people is so that "He may be known".How does God's purpose for mission translate to having a website?
That was a very vague and broad explanation of what is missions. So how do we, mortals, participate in getting God to be known? The answer really is uniquely different from ministry to ministry but it all boils down to two forms of communication: the nature of God through example and the nature of God through the Word. If we see the work of missions like a meal we can observe that communicating God's nature through example is like the appetizer to the feast (by practicing our belief) and communicating God's nature through the Word (teaching of the Scriptures) is the entree.There are other aspects of mission that involve other backend technicalities that are crucial to a mission's viability and that's where the website really comes in since it has to be a human that does the real work of missions. Technology was first used to help human do our task more effectively and not become a means onto itself... and we should remember and stick to that theme when applying it to missions. NOTE: This analysis doesn't apply if the message of the mission itself is meant to be delivered through the internet
What role does a website play into all this?
The role of a website to a ministry is really not a central part of most ministries. The reason is that to achieve the main goal of missions, and that is to let the Nations know of the Lord, we must reach the unreached. Most unreached people groups don't have computers (or even know how to read) or are using computers that are blocked off from the web space that we have access to. A website will not serve them at all. There are exceptions to the rule but most cases involve people groups that won't be able to access our websites.
The role of a website can be for communication. The website was first used as a form of communication... and still is used in such a way today. The website is a "home front" technology for most ministries. It is best used by most entities as a way of giving people who have heard about them more information. The website, at least in web 1.0, is all about static information. A website can become a web 2.0 (social networking) website... but most ministries don't have the resources or the power to leverage against giants in the secular world... so a static website is the only choice for most ministries.
As a static website, it can only serve as a point of reference. Something you can refer someone to who you just bumped into. That's all... and because it's static, it should only be a point of contact that links the visitor to other resources that are dynamic. It should contain only the most crucial information with links at just the right place to keep the visitor from leaving in the short time that they are there. If the visitor only visit the site once and is able to get everything they need there... then the site has achieved its goal fully, even though that's almost impossible for the serious visitors.
As a static website, it can only serve as a point of reference. Something you can refer someone to who you just bumped into. That's all... and because it's static, it should only be a point of contact that links the visitor to other resources that are dynamic. It should contain only the most crucial information with links at just the right place to keep the visitor from leaving in the short time that they are there. If the visitor only visit the site once and is able to get everything they need there... then the site has achieved its goal fully, even though that's almost impossible for the serious visitors.
What does an effective website look like for most ministries?
This, again, has no formulaic answers but it should meet at least a few basic criteria to be deemed a success:
- Communicate who the ministry is:
- What the mission is
- What they believe
- Who they are affiliated with, if any
- A brief history
- Communicate what the ministry does
- An outline of on going projects, past projects and/or future plans
- Photos, videos or other media of what the ministry has done (optional)
- Connect visitors to the ministry
- Connect to blogs, newsletter, forum or other forms of news from those on the field
- How to get involved:
- A chance to give, online or other means
- How to pray for the ministry
- Provide ways to spread the word about the ministry
- How to help the ministry directly
Because the aim of the website is to be a center of reference and not really a place to dwell... it should have simple design that's inviting. Every page shouldn't be long enough to intimidate but rather invite with simplicity... the point is to come, read, leave... and probably not come back if all the needed information is gathered.
Bottom line
If a ministry makes a static website the center point of their ministry and the web is not their target audience... then the ministry is very likely wasting their resources on a website. The website should not be used for self glorification but only a point of reference for information. The ministry should meet the audience where they inhabit and not try to compete with corporations (like facebook and twitter) that aren't really a threat, but a potential friend, of the ministry.
The website is like the information desk in a mall or store: it takes visitors where they want to go when they are lost. If it becomes anything more it becomes a waste of resource.
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