Tech Support: Memphis Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church

Memphis Conference UMC
Technology Section

Old Tech Section

AC07 Tech -- Tech info for Annual Conference at Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, June 3-6

Church Software Programs - Programs we researched for the workshop project
Tech Mailing List - Moderated email discussion
Methodist ParishWorks - Free Membership Management Program

Website Information

Web Empowered Church
- Memphis Conference WEC Discussion Email List
- WEC Website at webempoweredchurch.com
Web Space:
- Free
  - GBGM --
    - Free to UMC churches,
    - No ads,
    - FTP access
    - Provided by General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church
      http://gbgm-umc.org/churches/terms.cfm
    - Some Memphis Conference Sites using GBGM
      - Bemis, Brewers, Capleville, Church Grove, Coldwater, Dexter-Hardin, Ellendale, , Huntingdon, Lynn Grove
  - ForMinistry.com --
    - Free to all churches,
    - No Ads,
    - Fill in templates,
    - Provided by American Bible Society
    - Recommended especially for starting with no budget or experience
    - Some Memphis Conference Sites using ForMinistry:
      - Arlington, Faith
  - MyChurch.org
    - Free to everyone (additional fee-based services available)
    - Online community (blog, events, photos, friends, etc. with separate Login security for each church)
    - Fill in templates
    - Recommended especially for starting with no budget or experience
  - Microsoft Office Live
    - Free to everyone with 500 Mb. space & 25 email accounts
    - Upgradable to additional types of services
  - FreeWebs.com --
    - Free to everyone,
    - online templates or FTP,
    - large space,
    - No Ads
    - Some Memphis Conference Sites using FreeWebs:
      - Blooming Grove
- Subscription
  - VineHosting.com
    - Subscription service spawned by World Methodist Foundation for Evangelism
  - E-Zekiel.net --
    - UMComm has made arrangements for discounted service prices
    - Web based templates
- Other
  - LoCalendar.com
    - Events calendar
    - Free to everyone
    - Login based interactive entries
  - Your ISP -- Most ISPs provide free web space to their Internet access subscribers.
  - Other -- There are many places to get free web space that require advertising to be posted, but this can be awkward for churches, not only for appearance sake, but also for the nature of the ads that often appear on your church site. If you know of other free webspace providers that are AD FREE, please send info so we can post them here. Thanks!
Permanent Conference Subdomain Address Registration
- yourchurch.memphis-umc.org
- Permanant address points to your current location so you can change service providers without changing addresses
- Puts your address in the DNS (Domain Name Server) circulating to all ISPs
- Obtain new or update existing Subdomain record by email to blawson@Memphis-UMC.org

Content -- Easily add free content from the conference website to your church or group website. All church websites may link to any conference website content in whatever way you determine is best for your project, unless otherwise specified on a particular page. This includes all documents and photos, databases, links, etc. Here are some suggestions:
- Search Engine -- Our search engine robot maintains an index of all the Memphis Conference churches (if we have your correct url :) as well as the conference server in one integrated search. Simply click here, then copy & paste the code into any web page.
- Reporter Auto-Update -- Link directly to the update page at http://www.memphis-umc.org/reporter/update.htm to display without the conference frameset, or to the index page at http://www.memphis-umc.org/reporter to display within our frames. Either updates automatically when content changes, usually weekly.
- Discussion Forums -- Link to the Forums Index without our frames at http://www.memphis-umc.org/Forums/update.htm or with our frames at http://www.memphis-umc.org/Forums or directly to a specific forum, make your own menu, or request a forum be added. Send a note to WebServant@Memphis-UMC.org to obtain code for what you want to do.
- Chat Room - Set up a free, password protected chat room for your group to meet online.
- Banner Exchange -- Add your banner, and/or add code to your page as a way of promoting your site.
- Anything else -- In most cases you can simply right click on a link and copy the shortcut, or open it in a new window and copy the address to paste into your own web page. Feel free to send a note to WebServant@Memphis-UMC.org to obtain code for what you want to do.

Website Development Information & Training

UMCONNECTion - Resources for UM websites

Web Ministry 101

Free to all
Developed by UM Communications specifically for United Methodist congregations
Includes planning guide, powerpoints, and other tools for involving others in the website development

4 part self guided online course

Session Components:

Part One: Accessing the Power of the Internet for Effective Web Ministry

Why Should Your Church Have a Web Presence?
Step #1: Form a Web Ministry Team
Step #2: Secure Buy-In from Key People and Groups
Step #3: Browse Websites
Step #4: Develop a Purpose and Goals
Step #5: Identify Your Target Audiences and Their Needs
Step #6: Choose a Web Presence Type
Step #7: Utilize Find-A-Church

Part Two: Selecting the Right Tools to Meet Your Web Ministry Goals

Step #8: Acquire Basic Technology Resources
Step #9: Select and Register a Domain Name
Step #10: Choose Website Design and Hosting Services
Step #11: Choose Human Resources
Step #12: Consider Budgetary Components

Part Three: Developing a User-Centered Website

What is User-Centered Design?
Step #13: Create a Unique Image and Design
Step #14: Create a Welcoming Home Page
Step #15: Create a Site Map and Navigation Tools
Step #16: Create Main Sections and Subpages
Step #17: Populate Your Website with Engaging Content
Step #18: Develop Content Protocols
Step #19: Add Photographs and Graphics to Enhance Content
Step #20: Protect Users and Members Privacy

Part Four: Maintaining a Fresh and Dynamic Web Ministry

Step #21: Develop a Schedule for Maintaining Your Website
Step #22: Use Really Simple Synication (RSS)
Step #23: Develop Strategies for Marketing Your Website
Step #24: Launch Your Website
Step #25: Conduct Website Reviews and Evaluations
Seven Phases of Web Ministry Planning and Implementation

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17