I've been asked to write an eBook on the why's and how's of marketing and search engine optimization for churches.  In preparation for doing so, I'd like to use this blog as a think tank for acquiring questions, issues, and comments for search engine optimization and marketing for religious organizations.  Therefore, I ask that you to be invloved in this process - I want to know your questions and concerns; I want to know your thoughts.

First off, if you'd like to know more about who I am, I would encourage you to check out the "About" page.  As for my "credibility" in search engine optimization (SEO), I will report that 90% of my clients are listed on the top 2 pages of major search engines for their targeted keywords and phrases.  I cannot, however, take any responsibility for my accomplishments - save my faithfulness to be obedient in using my gifts.  God has given each of us talents to use for His glory; and, when we use those talents, He increases our fruitfulness.  God does not call us to do things in which Has not first equipped us to do.  God has equipped me to do this, and He has made me successful in the online marketing arena.

Before we "jump in" to the in's and out's of SEO, we should discuss what is and why should the Church concern itself with search engine optimization. By simple definition, SEO is a process in which pages are designed in order to increase their rank or position among search engines naturally, without paying for advertisements.  With search engine algorithms constantly changing to prevent web site designers from cheating, pages must continue to be modified and adapt to these updated algorithms in order to retain their positions.

With that said, why should the Church try to optimize its web sites?  Shouldn't we focus our attention on more tangibles such as salvations and memberships?  Shouldn't we spend more of our time and resources helping our local communities and feeding the homeless?  I think that all of these are lofty goals, but they're just that - goals.  What about the process for achieving these goals?  In other words, salvations and increases in membership, community outreaches, and feeding the homeless are great, but how are we making the initial connections; how are we making the initial contact; or, to borrow the Church's terminology, how are we establishing the relationship?  Through efforts of mail outs, advertising and door-to-door visits, some churches have been successful in reaching their communities.  However, what about the people that these strategies don't connect you with?  Nevertheless, those 'unconnected' people are searching for something.  And, they will find many things in the midst of their searching.  Will they find you?  And, ultimately, will they find Christ?

I know that, ultimately, God initiates the calling and allows Himself to be found.  No one can come to Him, unless He calls them first. But, when God does make the call, and the recipient begins the search, is the Church easy or difficult to find?  How can a "seeker" (used in a general sense for someone seeking God) find a local body of believers? Can they find your church? Why should they try your church compared to another church?  I'm not speaking in a manner of competition.  I'm saying that no other church in your area has what they are needing to disciple them and help them grow in their relationship to Christ.  Your church has the very specific program, class or teaching that ministers to their need.  But, how would the visitor know that?  How could they find your church in the midst of all the other churches in your community.

I believe the heart of this issue rests on two gigantic, fundamental disciplines - responsibility and stewardship - and the combination of the two. The Church has received a mandate to practice both.  Furthermore, I would take the issue one step further and state that the Church has a responsibility in stewardship. 

In my many years of being active in ministry, I've repeatedly heard individuals reference Scripture such as, "God's word will not return to him void," and believe that it doesn't matter if we give 100%, 55%, or 10%; God's word will still accomplish everything He has planned.  While I do believe that God's word will not accomplish anything less than what God has planned for it to, it doesn't release us from our duty or our responsibility to give our all. Along those same lines, if individual churches desire to have a web site, then why not do it right?  Why not give it your best?  After all, doesn't God deserve it; isn't He worthy?  If your church is not going to engage the Internet with its whole heart, then I would challenge, why engage it at all?  Why invest resources into something that you're only going to do halfway?  Then, you become a poor steward of those resources and that doesn't glorify God either.  Therefore, as my first notion of accountability to all churches, get your web site in order. There's no excuse for sloppy, dull, old pages.  (And Microsoft's Frontpage is NOT an option for enhancement.)  If you need to, hire a web designer.  While I'm a license pastor, I make a living and provide for my family by the way of marketing services and web site design - I live in the corporate world everyday.  I am a firm believer that God's people ought to be the best at what they do!  All things were to created to glorify the Creator - even us.  The Church's web sites should be second to none.  Again, in gentle love and reprimand, it's time your church gets in the game.

Now, am I proposing for churches to 'ride the bench' on the information superhighway?  Am I advocating that churches may elect not to do a web site at all, if they are not willing to invest the time, energy and other resources to do it right? Absolutely not! Again, responsibility in stewardship. Because of the resources that are made available to churches for web site design, viral marketing, and social media marketing, churches should be actively egaging their culture through the mediums in which the culture operates.  Unfortunately, many churches are operating in today's culture using outdated techniques.  Its like trying to sell a boat in the desert.  Unless God told you to build one because a flood was coming, a boat has very limited effectiveness in a desert (if you flipped it, the boat might help shade you from the sun).  As statistics point out, the Christian Church is losing effectiveness because it has not adapted (not changing the message, just changing the methods) to a modernized society.  God is still working in people's lives, but we MUST be resposible and be good stewards. We must do our part.

You, the Church, are responsible for being a good steward in increasing your influence and reaching your community across all mediums made available to you.  If you don't, then either it is because you don't know how, you are operating with limited resources, or you are lazy and disobedient.  There are remedies for every reason (or excuse).  If you need help, then I encourage you to contact me.  A necessary part of having a web site, is to be found.  Can your web site be found?  Is your web site search engine optimized?  There are many people searching, but can they find Jesus Christ through finding your church?  If not, you will be held accountable for your lack of stewardship - no matter what reason you may have.