The Effectiveness of Church Online Strategies

One of the folks blogs I read is Drew Goodmanson who recently held a webinar to talk about using online strategies to reach non-Christians.  He said:

Thank you for all who participated in today’s webinar, nearly 80 people signed-up for it. For those who missed it, here was the description of the webinar: We have all heard about the importance of a church website, the craze of social networking and the need for pastors to blog. But how effective are these strategies really in being missional and gathering people? Learn from a 2009 study on ‘The State of the Church Online: Websites & Mission’ involving numerous church websites & strategies where we learn what really is happening. Answer questions such as: How effective is your church website? What can you do to improve this? Who is visiting your website? Why are they really visiting? Where are these visitors coming from? What are best practices in design and outreach? Learn how to enhance your web ministry and impact hundreds, if not thousands of people. This valuable session will equip you with practical strategies that your church can implement whether you are an online expert or a beginner.

Some interesting facts from their study:

  • 74 churches participating (target = 100) 
  • web analytics
  • congregational surveys
  • phase II : interviews/case studies
  • church size range of 5 to 45,000 people
  • 27 internal designer & 20+ other designers

Some of the key findings from a sample set of the research (the full research project will last 2-3 months longer).

  • 0% of respondents who were Non-Christians said their going to church was influenced by the church website.
  • 6% of participating churches had a gospel presentation on their website.
  • 27% of the respondents said the church website was how they first learned about the church.

Check out the whole post at Drew’s blog

My Best Friend Blago

Check out this riveting piece about the inner workings of former Governor Blagojevich by a man who knew him well in this month’s Men’s Journal.  Wow!

Today is Free Chocolate Friday

Hurry on over to Free Things to Do in Chicago and learn how today, Friday, May 15, the Mars candy company will give away 500,000 certificates for free Mars chocolate products. The certificates will become available on Friday morning at 9:00 a.m EST, and they’re available until they’re gone, so you’ll need to act fast. Mars is promoting their Real Chocolate Relief Act campaign and website.

Chicago Photo of the Week – Heaven’s Rays

Ken Elio's Manna from Heaven

Ken Elio's Manna from Heaven

Nothing else needs to be said…..

Free Coffee This Week From Borders

things to do in chicagoWith the economy in the doldrums, Borders wants to give you lift this week with a free cup ‘o joe!  Now through May 6, you can get a free 12 oz. beverage from Seattle’s Best Coffee at any of in store cafes at Borders. So grab your free coffee, curl up in one of their cafes, and check out their selection of great books and magazines. Get more information at Free Things to Do in Chicago.

Some Things to Do This Weekend (from Crains)

CHECK OUT: all the Free Things to Do in Chicago at http://chicagofree.info

LISTEN. Check out Sunday in the Park with Civic, a percussion ensemble from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago’s MusiCorps program which offers a free, family-friendly, interactive chamber program for children this Sunday May 3 at Indian Boundary Park in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

civic_sundays

SHOP. More than 7,000 tomes, including a 1920 edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “This Side of Paradise,” will hit the shelves at the NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOOK SALE. Stock up on all those titles you’ve been meaning to read. May 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hardcover books will be priced at $3; quality paperbacks at $2; mass-market paperbacks at 50 cents. 1970 Campus Drive, Evanston, (847) 491-2932, www.library.northwestern.edu/booksale.

EXPLORE. Costumes and props from the movies are among the treasures you’ll uncover when “HARRY POTTER: THE EXHIBITION” opens at the Museum of Science and Industry this week. The exhibitions are modeled after sets from the films, such as the Gryffindor common room. May 1-3, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; extended hours apply to Harry Potter exhibit, regular museum space closes at 4 p.m. Combination admission with regular museum admission ranges from $15-$26. 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, (773) 684-1414, www.msichicago.org.

BET. Arlington Park kicks off the horseracing season with the “WORLD’S LARGEST DERBY PARTY.” The day includes 12 live races, live music, mint juleps and, of course, a simulcast of the Run for the Roses from Louisville. May 2, gates open at 10 a.m. General admission is $6; park-goers who live in Arlington Heights receive discount. 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, (847) 385-7500, www.arlingtonpark.com.

SIP. The all-you-can-eat (and drink) BATTLE OF THE BELGIANS features two Belgian-style breweries going head to foaming head at Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap. The evening will include beer and food pairing and three rounds of beer tastings. May 1, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Cost is $25. 41 E. Superior St., (312) 266-0400, www.jakemelnicks.com.

LEARN. Interior designers of all stripes will show you how they find that one treasure that makes the room. As part of the MERCHANDISE MART INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES FAIR, the designers will scour the booths and then explain their findings, teaching the audience what to look for when buying antiques. This Favorite Things workshop takes place Friday a.m.; the show runs through Monday. Favorite Things discoveries, May 1, 11 a.m.; antiques fair, May 1-2, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; May 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $25. 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, (800) 677–6278, www.merchandisemartantiques.com.

PREPARE. That North Shore gardening favorite, Chalet, opens its doors for its for annual GARDEN FAIRE. Just in time for spring, get your soil tested and your tools sharpened, and pick out new trees, shrubs, plants and soil, some of which will be discounted throughout the weekend. May 2, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; May 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 3132 Lake St., Wilmette, (847) 256-0561, www.chaletnursery.com.

TOUCH. Fire engines, ice cream trucks, school buses and more than two dozen other full-sized vehicles will be open to little hands during the Kohl Children’s Museum TOUCH-A-TRUCK event at Fields Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Let your kids get up close and personal with the big wheels. May 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets are $25 per family, proceeds benefit Kohl Children’s Museum. 670 Frontage Rd., Northfield, (847) 832-6600, www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org.

Friday Free Things: Kids & Kites

The entire family is invited for a free Chicago event on May 2 to Montrose Harbor in Lincoln Park for Mayor Daley’s Kids and Kites Festival.

things to do in chicagoIf the kids don’t have a kite let alone know how to fly one, don’t worry. The Mayor’s Office of Special Events will provide free kits for children to design and create their own kite. Kite flying professionals will be coming out to demonstrate exactly how it is done, and help you master your kite flying skills. there will also be face-painting and other fun stuff from 10am to 4 pm. See Free Things to Do in Chicago for more information