The Church of England has a rich heritage of proclaiming the Gospel, building community, and serving others. In the modern age, technology has become a powerful tool to enhance our mission and strengthen our fellowship.
Just as St Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22), so too must the Church embrace every means available — including digital platforms — to share God’s love and connect with both existing members and those yet to encounter the faith.
Sharing Our Mission
Websites offer churches a place to proclaim their mission boldly. The Church of England has long championed its presence in communities, and this can now be extended into the digital sphere. Just as Jesus instructed the disciples to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), so too can our churches use their websites to share their vision, values, and work with a broader audience.
A well-structured website can highlight the church’s ministry, showcase outreach programmes, and share the Good News through written reflections, video sermons, or podcasts. For example, a parish could host a page on its mission to feed the hungry, inspire youth, or care for the elderly. Sharing testimonies and stories of lives touched by the church’s work echoes the words of Psalm 107:2, “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story”. Testimonies shared online can encourage and inspire visitors to become active participants in God’s work.
Sharing Prayer and Worship
Prayer is the heartbeat of the Church, binding individuals and congregations together in faith. Websites can facilitate prayer in ways unimaginable in previous generations. Churches might include a Prayer Wall where individuals can submit requests or prayers of thanksgiving, fostering an online community of support and care. As James writes, “Pray for one another, so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).
Recorded or live-streamed worship services can also be made available on websites, offering opportunities for people who cannot physically attend to remain connected to the fellowship of the church. Jesus assures us that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20), and digital gatherings allow this promise to resonate even for those at home. This can be especially powerful for the elderly, those unwell, or those seeking to reconnect with faith.
Strengthening Fellowship Within Congregations
Fellowship is an essential part of church life. The early Church understood the importance of gathering together regularly: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Websites can strengthen this sense of togetherness by providing platforms for communication, engagement, and support.
Church calendars shared online can keep parishioners informed about services, Bible studies, and community events. Websites can also host blogs, newsletters, or forums where members share reflections, discuss topics of faith, or plan initiatives. Encouraging small groups or home groups to post updates online helps to create a sense of shared purpose and connection across the congregation.
Welcoming New Members
Websites are the digital ‘front door’ of a church. For those unfamiliar with the Church of England or hesitant about stepping into a service, a website can provide a warm and inviting introduction.
Practical information — such as service times, accessibility details, and what to expect — can alleviate concerns. Sharing photographs of the congregation engaged in worship, fellowship, or service reinforces the message of a welcoming, vibrant community. As St Paul reminds us, “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).
A great example of an ‘i’m new’ page can be found on the Ramsbottom & Edenfield Team Ministry website, the simple introduction with links to each Church in the team allows for a simple contact point. Without overfacing any newcomer – often a hurdle in itself.
Encouraging Engagement Beyond Sunday
Church websites can serve as a resource for faith development beyond Sunday worship. Many parishes already use their websites to share daily Bible readings, prayer resources, or links to Church of England initiatives, such as the Thy Kingdom Come prayer movement. As the Psalmist writes, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105), and by providing access to spiritual resources, websites help guide individuals in their faith journey throughout the week.
Websites can also engage younger generations, who are increasingly looking for digital ways to explore faith. Interactive content, such as videos, youth group updates, and online discussion forums, can help foster connections with children, teenagers, and young adults, drawing them into the life of the church.
What This Means Today
In a world where digital spaces are becoming as significant as physical ones, the Church has a unique opportunity to use its online presence to grow congregations and strengthen fellowship. Websites should not replace the sacred importance of face-to-face community, but rather enhance it, providing opportunities to share our mission, prayer, and lives of faith. As we strive to live out Jesus’s Great Commission, let us be wise stewards of the digital tools available to us, using them to welcome, inspire, and connect all God’s people.
Let us, therefore, embrace the words of Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.” May our church websites be the means by which we carry the Good News into the digital age, bringing hope and transformation to our congregations and beyond.
If you are looking for a new website, or are on the journey of discovering of how such a new website could help your church, get in touch with our team – and we can help you.
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Featured Photo by Enzo Natale Ferrari