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Strategic Planning Scenario #1: Joe Smith, who lives 8 miles from your church, finally decides he wants to “try” church with his family (after 15 years being away from church). Joe is 32 years old, is married, and has three kids (two in gradeschool and one in preschool). He does an internet search for churches in the area and comes across your church website.
OK. If you are a pastor let me just ask a very simple question. What are you feeling right now knowing this man is looking at your website? Nervous? Happy? Hopeful? Embarrassed?
Do you think he will be more or less interested in clicking ANY of the links on your website after looking at the front page? Joe has been browsing the internet his whole life. He has an internal meter that says the website will probably reflect the organization. Does your website reflect your church and you? There are three things in particular Joe wants to know, since he hasn’t been to church in a long time and he’s bringing his family. Will your website help him with these questions?
- Will my kids be OK there? What will they do and who will they be with?
- Will I be bored and uncomfortable?
- Do I really want to do this?