A Web site can be an integral part of a church’s outreach to its members, the community and beyond.

Regardless of denomination, the Internet has proved a useful tool for many of Rome's churches. But what is it about the World Wide Web that has appealed so much to institutions so steeped in tradition? And are local churches using the information super highway to its full potential?

Cliff Tappan is Web master at West Rome Baptist Church and said the church’s site is a key tool in communicating with members and visitors.

"I've been working with the site for about a year, and it's updated every week," he said. "We've got information on there about programs and events going on in the church."

One of the more popular features on the site - www.westrome.org - allows visitors to listen to mp3 audio files of each week's sermon.

Another frequently visited section of the site, Tappan said, provides information for small groups within the church.

The Cornerstone Church of Rome site - www.ccoronline.org -also allows visitors to experience the previous Sunday’s sermons but with an added dimension.

"We have videos of the sermons for those who can't make it to church and for those who want to share the sermons with others who don't live in this area," said Brenden Bergin, who maintains the site. "Our function is to get the word out to others in this community and beyond. We feel that the message we're sending out can have an impact on people here, as well as on the lives of those who live far away."

Bergin said the goal of the Cornerstone site was to make it easy to navigate, while providing their members and the public with all the information they can.

Staying current

While both the Cornerstone Church of Rome site and the West Rome Baptist

site were created by outside companies, one Rome church is taking on the task of building a site on its own.

"It's in fits and starts, but I'm pretty much doing it by myself," said Paul Gamber, pastor at Second Avenue United Methodist Church. "My desire would be to have someone take on the task of updating the site regularly so our information is current."

And current is the word-du-jour when it comes to church sites.

Gamber said one of the pitfalls he hopes to avoid is information getting stagnant on the site.

"You want something that speaks about your church with integrity and honesty," he said. "People should come to the church and find the activities and programs they anticipated from visiting the site. If you've got programs and events on the site that aren't actually going on at the church, then you're being dishonest to the public."

Technology vs. tradition

While it might seem odd that a traditional institution such as the church would embrace the ever-changing nature of the Internet, locals say it is that very fast-paced nature of the Web that offers so much power to the church.

"I see the church and the Web working well together," Gamber said. "I think Web sites are a great way to introduce the church to new people in the community. I really use our site as a place where people can get to know who we are and see our vision."

Bergin agreed.

"We're all about touching lives," he said. "The Internet is just one of the tools we use to do that. It's a great resource. It puts the user in control. They can read about our message and see what we’re about at their own pace and in their own good time."

Under construction

Many churches in Rome don't have a Web site, and some don't want one. But for those who need help getting started, Gamber said there are many resources on the Internet that help churches build and maintain Web sites.

Whether you build it yourself, or contract a company to do it, experts at Gospelcom.net say one of the most important things to remember is to make the site user-friendly, and that means friendly to non-Christians as well.

"From the earliest planning stage, the needs of non-Christian site visitors should be considered," they say. "The language and style (of the site) should express welcome and hospitality. There must be no sense that 'this site is a private notice board for insiders.'"

They emphasized that fun, humor, self-deprecation and informality are tools that can be used to make a site feel inviting and welcoming to all visitors.

Sites such as ourchurch.com offer Web hosting and design services for churches.

"Overall, you want to have a vision and purpose behind the site," Gamber said. "What do you want the site to say to visitors? What will it say about your church and its mission?"

SOME ROME CHURCH WEB SITES

www.westrome.org

www.secondavenueumc.org

www.stpetersepiscopalrome.com

www.fbclindale.org

www.nrcog.org

www.ccoronline.org

www.lovejoybaptistchurch.org

CHURCH WEB BUILDING RESOURCES

www.greatchurchwebsites.org

www.ourchurch.com

www.gospelcom.net

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