Church Website Design Q&A with Larry Lundstrom of Fellowship of The Woodlands

Larry Lundstrom of Fellowship of The Woodlands is today’s Q&A responder for the Building Rockin’ Church Websites series. The FOTW site is a REALLY rockin’ site … check out these FOTW sites too: The Life Coach and Generations, their building campaign.

Here’s his answers:
1. How did your current web design come about?

Great question, our current church web site came about through a site redesign project about two and a half years back. Our senior pastor initiated a site redesign to help keep our Internet presence fresh and innovative.
2. Who was involved in the design?

The project and design process on this site was fairly straight forward. I was the Internet designer at the time and sat down and began researching the latest and greatest websites, designs, organization, tools, etc. I will usually begin by studying the site information architecture and recommending changes via wire-frames, sitemaps, workflows, etc. I basically designed some Photoshop concepts and our senior pastor picked his favorite. During the design phase I always bring in colleagues who will provide a honest critique. It is great to not have to design by committee but to allow other individuals to help work through the creative process.

3. Who manages it now? How?

Currently our web site is managed by a Senior Internet Designer/Developer and content managed by over 10 individuals. We have a very low-tech solution that seems to work o.k. - long-term we are looking at a 100% database driven inline content management solution. 100% inline content management solutions have a higher cost but virtually everyone in the organization who can use a computer will have access to use the Internet/intranet site to help make their work or task a bit more efficient and effective.

4. What is your goal or purpose for your web site?

The goal for our website is to inform about who we are, what we have going on and also to provide online tools for event registrations, growth while facilitating our ministries communication and administrative tasks. Also, websites still re-enforce brand and credibility. It is extremely important for the website to deliver a solid impression about what people might expect to find at Fellowship of The Woodlands.

5. What should web sites accomplish or do for churches?

Good websites support the organizations goals, whatever those goals might be. Every church is unique with different audiences and styles of communication and different processes and offerings. Websites can virtually do anything so it is important to help the organization reach its goals via appropriate communication channels.

6. What do you see the future holding for church web sites?

Let’s just sum this up and say “Minority Report” (the movie). Minus all the inappropriate stuff, I love the depiction of future technologies. I do believe in the old saying, “If you can think it - we can create it.”

I like to think that the web will continue to be a highly accessible flow of information and functionality offering everything the church offers. People are using technology in almost every area of their life. I think we will see the web change into a more organic flow of information, media, entertainment and functionality beyond our comprehension. I think the biggest changes will be accessibility or mobility which will dramatically change how information and functionality is offered, delivered or utilized.

Our creativity is the limit.

7. Any advice for other churches seeking to design/redesign their sites?

Define your goals. Take some time to review other organizations that do it well. Churches, non-churches, all organizations with great websites should be reviewed. Take some time to talk with other organizations about what they would do different and what works really well.
Also, the bottom line is - be true to your brand, your goals, try something new and different. If we all commit to creating something a little better than before - we will all be a part of what is to come - be an innovator.

8. Other thoughts, ideas, ramblings appreciated too …

Love the blog community. Keep up the good work.

[Thanks, Larry, for your rockin’ answers.]

See all the previous Q&As in the Building Rockin’ Church Websites here. 

November 27, 2006 · Filed Under Rockin' Web Sites, Web Site Design

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