Could it be that American Churches could make more use of the Internet?
The Phoenix-based research ministry surveyed a representative sample of 871 Protestant church ministers nationwide and found that 27 percent of churches have no Internet connection, staff email, or church website. However, the study – which first appeared in LifeWay's Facts & Trends Magazine on Jan. 6 – found that 58 percent of churches provide Internet access for their staff. A similar study conducted in 2004 by Ellison Research showed that 91 percent of ministers have Internet access. This information paired with the current study, suggests that ministers have personal access, but not at their churches.
Only half of all churches provide staff with e-mail, and just under half maintain a website, Ellison Research found. Relatively few Protestant churches use e-mail prayer chains, have an e-mail church newsletter, or have an online member directory (only four percent).
Churches in the South, churches with fewer than 100 congregants, and churches led by ministers over 60 are more likely not to have Internet access, the ministry stated further.
Presbyterian churches are the major denominational group most likely to be using the Internet (92 percent). But mainline and evangelical churches do not differ much in church use of the Web.The study found that church website content is usually static rather than interactive. Content usually consists of a map or directions to the church, a calendar of upcoming events, a statement of beliefs, and pages for specific ministry departments. Half of the church websites list staff emails.
Other types of information include denominational information, staff biographies, special pages for youths, a regular church newsletter, a way to submit prayer requests online, and information about joining a small group.
