Web ministry is any and every way that your church can or could reach out to members, visitors, seekers and leaders through a variety of Web and Internet technology tools. Most people think of Web ministry as having a website, but there is so much more to developing and maintaining a dynamic Web ministry for your local church, district or conference organization of The United Methodist Church. In fact, Web ministry should be just as prominent and integrated into your congregation or organization's total ministry plan as any other aspect. Here's what we mean when we say, "Web Ministry."
Web ministry offers avenues of timely, critical response and engagement, and it promises a real presence to those searching for answers.
Web ministry is about building dynamic, interactive, multi-layered activites and services that expand the church's reach to connect with billions of users 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so that any person, any time and anywhere can become a disciple of Jesus Christ and enter into a life-changing, world-transforming journey of faith, hope and love.
Web ministry adapts the tools of the Internet and resources of the world-wide Web to fulfill the church's mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It makes use of the vast communication and information cyber-highway to connect with 2.9 billion people (http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet-users/, July 14, 2014).
Web ministry is more than having a Web presence or website. It's about using the Internet tools of the 21st century to enhance and expand your church's ministry. From this page you can access dozens of tips, tools, training and tutorials to help you maximize your ministry online. Whether you are a part of a local United Methodist church, district or conference organization, there is something here to enable you to engage with members, visitors, seekers and leaders for effective ministry in cyberspace.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES:
- CyberFaith: How Americans Pursue Religion Online (PDF 131 KB)
- Faith Online (PDF 384 KB)
- Wired Churches, Wired Temples:
Taking Congregations and Missions into Cyberspace (PDF 87 KB) - eMinistry Basics (PDF 1.2 MB)