Perhaps one of
the most significant technological developments of the late
twentieth century was the establishment of the Internet, or the
(World Wide) Web. It is very simply a network of computers that
communicate with each other. In it’s early days it was just a
small number of computers based in America, used by academics as a
means of rapidly sharing their research data. However, in recent
years the commercial sector has seen it as a very useful tool for
marketing and selling their products. As a result of large
corporate investment, the Internet has grown phenomenally and is
now used by hundreds of millions of users world-wide.
Like anything else in the world, the Internet can be used or
abused. What is more, because anything on the Internet has a
global audience, its use or abuse will also have a global impact.
Sadly, it tends to be the worst uses of the Internet that make the
headlines. However, with twenty million users in the UK, it also
provides an excellent opportunity to present the gospel to many
people.
WHAT IS A WEBSITE?
A website is a group of computer pages containing words, pictures,
and perhaps also sound and video that are located on a computer
that resides in the Internet network. Using a computer program
called a Web Browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape access
can be gained to any website. Each website has an address that
uniquely identifies its
location within the Internet, in the same way as an address
uniquely identifies your house. This address is often called the
domain name and is a sequence of letters and numbers that are
personalized for the company or organisation that the website is
about. An example of a domain name is www.preciousseed.org. It is
the domain name that is typed into a Web Browser to view the pages
of that website.
WHAT IS EMAIL?
Often associated with a domain name are email addresses, such as
info@preciousseed.org and these are distinguished from a website
address by the ‘@’ sign. Emails are electronic text messages that
are sent by people to each other on their computers via the
Internet system of communication.
WHY USE A WEBSITE?
The Internet is increasingly becoming the first point of reference
for many people. If people want to know something, the huge
resources of the Internet, with billions of pages of information,
are bound to provide an answer! However, the beauty of the
Internet for many people is that they can search for answers in
the comfort of their own home, and they can hide behind the
anonymity the Internet provides. This is particularly true on
issues they feel embarrassed to discuss with friends or family.
There are many broken-hearted people, many people searching for
spiritual reality and many dissatisfied people. These often turn
to the websites they find on the Internet to help solve their
problems. This is where a website offering hope and a haven of
friendship can make a real difference to someone.
A simple gospel message, and perhaps a photograph of welcoming
faces, can give someone that small glimpse of the love of Christ
that could be found in a local fellowship.
We are all increasingly aware of how hard it is to get people to
come in and hear a gospel message. A website offers an opportunity
to let people know what actually goes on within the four walls of
our building without them having to run the gauntlet of stepping
through the door. A first point of contact could be made with them
comfortably sitting in their own home. Testimonies, special events
and discussions of relevant issues could be included, giving a
very broad picture of the interests and concerns of the believers.
As well as the curious onlooker, the Internet thrives on people
who like things being done ‘here and now’, and such people often
contact on impulse. Even if contact initially remains distant,
perhaps via email, wise correspondence will help transform it into
something more fruitful over time.
A website is also a very cost-effective form of evangelism, as for
just a small sum it can reach thousands of people a year. The very
fact that a visitor has himself chosen to view your website,
suggests that he is more likely to read it.
HOW IS A WEBSITE SET UP?
The first thing to do in setting up a website is to actually
construct the pages. Simple websites are written in a text
formatting language called Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML).
HTML commands are written in a standard text file, which, when
opened by a web browser, are interpreted into formatted text and
images. For those who are serious about designing their own
website, a good reference book on HTML is the best place to start.
An alternative is to purchase a computer program that helps make
websites, such as Microsoft’s Front Page. Such programs are
designed to be like drawing packages and hide away all the
complexities of HTML, making them more appealing to the novice
website designer. It is also worth noting that a lot of the most
recent word-processing and drawing programs will also save files
to HTML, such as Word 2000.
It is always worth looking round the Internet for ideas that could
be incorporated into your website. Whilst looking at your
favourite sites, use the 'View Source' menu option on the web
browser to see how other people create their effects and try
implementing similar things into your own website.
Remember that the website is the first and possibly the only
impression an outsider will have not only of the local believers
but, far more importantly, Christ and the gospel. As in all
aspects of witness, it is vital that the very best impression is
given. Due to the extremely public nature of a website the content
should be carefully considered, and should be constructive,
concise and challenging.
The best way to encourage contact is to use a questionnaire where
visitors can be prompted for specific things like their name,
whether they would like to do a correspondence course, whether
they would like a visit, their comments, etc. This tends to be far
more effective than promoting an email address, because not only
does the visitor supply relevant
information, but also satisfies the ‘here and now’ demands of
some. Visitors’ comments could be stored in an electronic guest
book on your website that can then be viewed by other
visitors. Search the Internet for free guest books to incorporate
into your website, but watch out for the adverts you may have to
endorse. Whilst guest books are open to abuse, experience has
shown it to be very rare, and inappropriate comments can always be
removed.
For those that feel unable to design their own website, there are
website design companies who will create a website based on any
ideas you have. However, even the most simple website is likely to
cost in excess of £100.
Once the website design is approved and complete, the next stage
is to contact an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and ask them to
register a suitable domain name. Typically the same ISP will also
put your website on the Internet, technically called hosting.
Domains can cost £20-£50 for two years registration, depending on
the domain name. Hosting can range from free to £100 a year
depending on the features you require. It is worth noting that
free hosting usually is funded by adverts splashed around your
website, which you may not always be happy to endorse.
WHAT NEXT?
To increase the number of visitors it is worth registering your
website with search engines. These are the huge electronic
directories of the Internet. Because your website represents a
nonprofit organisation, registration is free, though it may take
some time to get registered. Look for ‘Submit a site’ at leading
search engines like Lycos, Google and Yahoo!
It is very easy to set up a website and then forget about it.
However, the website should be seen as an activity of the whole
fellowship and not just the activity of those who may be delegated
responsibility for its maintenance. All contact received through
the website should be responded to promptly by someone in the
fellowship. Whilst some may come to nothing, many will develop.
Established contacts should be mentioned at prayer meetings on a
regular basis.
It is also worth regularly updating the website. This will
encourage visitors to return, increasing their awareness of the
local church and it’s activities. Some ideas for regular updates
include adding testimonies, extracts from newsletters and next
month’s speakers.
A website can also be used in conjunction with a literature
campaign, perhaps developing the thoughts that are contained in
the tracts for those who are challenged and want to find out more.
MORE INFORMATION?
A lot of what has been mentioned has been learned from the
author’s experience in running a website, which, for the very few
believers in fellowship, has been a huge encouragement in terms of
contacts established. If you would like to know any more, please
do not hesitate to contact Raymond Francis, 21 Trinity Street,
Brighton, BN2 3HN or
email websites@attracts.co.uk.
RESOURCES
_ www.wintongospelhall.org.uk – the fellowship that the author is
involved in.
_ www.gospelhall.org.uk – links to many UK Gospel Hall websites
for ideas! Also offers hosting without adverts.
_ Email: tim@gospelhall.org.uk
_ www.attracts.co.uk – a website design and hosting company run by
believers.
_ @tracts Ltd, PO Box 6212, Kirkwall, KT15 1YB. Email:
info@attracts.org.uk Tel: 0870 777 2329
_ www.icwebs.co.uk – Website design and hosting company run by
believers. ICWebs Ltd, PO Box 76, Manchester, M8 0JY. Email:
info@icwebs.co.uk Tel: 0161 202 5639
Raymond Francis lives in Brighton and is in fellowship in
Winton Gospel Hall. He is a freelance computer programmer and
web-developer. With a vision to encourage Christians to use high
quality, relevant evangelism resources, he helped establish
@tracts (www.attracts.co.uk), a small Christian Literature and
web-services company.
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