In the past, churches were not required to have websites. For many years afterward, it was acceptable for churches to have a simple, no-frills site that had stock images and made little use of the internet. People were mainly looking for an address, the service times, and possibly a statement of faith.
However, times have definitely changed. In this digital age, a congregation's website is often the digital heartbeat. Many church websites these days include audio and video sermons, a blog, social media links, a calendar of events, a donation page, and visitor information. It has become essential for churches to have their own websites, and rightly or wrongly, newcomers will form certain opinions about the church based on the site.
All this to say, you want to do it right as a church leader. Church websites should be a great resource for the community and a beautiful welcome mat for people visiting your church.
