I’ve talked to lots of people through the years about websites. I spoken to many people who have never even thought of the idea of having a website for their church, let alone any specific ministry. However, statistics show that when someone who is new to town is looking for a church, they will 95% of the time turn to the internet.

That being said, your website says everything about your church to a potential visitor. You could have the best programs in the state, a 3500-member congregation, the top performing musical groups in existence, and the most dynamic staff available, but if your website looks bad, the perception of your church will be also. Think of it this way: the amount of effort you put toward your web presence is a direct reflection of your church to a potential visitor. I’ve heard people say, “Well, if this church was really concerned about seeking new people, it would at least have put some time into this website.”

We have to realize that there was certainly a time that churches and ministries didn’t need websites – but that time is long gone. No longer is having a website an option, it’s a requirement. If we plan to reach this generation for Christ in a culture that is so fast-paced that choosing a place of worship is as easy as a point and a click, a good website is crucial. I truly believe that the churches that realize this will be more effective at fulfilling the Great Commission.

For more info on how NOT to build a website, check out this great article from Collide magazine.

As always, if you’d like to talk more with me about website design for your church, hit me up.

Got my brand new iPhone 4 case today as part of Apple’s iPhone 4 Case Program. Granted, I already had a case that I’d bought when I started to notice the signal issues. Honestly, I didn’t really like the one I had. This one, however, is made by INCASE, a company from which I’ve bought numerous cases. From guitar cases to laptop bags, they’ve got it all, and they do a bang-up job making some solid gear. You should definitely check them out. Here are pics of my new “Snap Case:”

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” – Jeremiah 1:4-10

This has always been one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament. I think I like it because I can really identify with Jeremiah’s hesitance. This year, the theme for our youth ministry is “Destinations,” and it’s based on this text. Jeremiah was a youth, and felt as though he wasn’t ready to do God’s work in the world. Perhaps he felt as though his work wouldn’t really make a difference.

God, however, knew Jeremiah. He had a plan for Jeremiah’s life even before Jeremiah was in the womb. God knew Jeremiah’s destination. I’ve found that so often the youth of the Church feel insignificant in the grand scheme of things – but the promise of God is sure through Jeremiah: God knows us now, God has always known us, and God knows where we’re headed.

Think of it like this: if bought a GPS that would only take you to one location, and the voice giving you the turn-by-turn directions was God’s voice, what do you think would be your destination? Where would you be going? Even if you knew, what paths would you take to get there? Would you take the roads less traveled, or a super-highway? Would you take the road that conforms to culture, or the road that’s so radical that few will brave it? This year, I pray that God will use me to challenge our youth to seek out God’s plan for their lives, the plan that’s been around since before they were around.

So… where are you headed?

Last night, I did something I thought I’d never do: I took my first swimming lesson. That’s right – I’m 29 years old, and I don’t know how to swim. This has provided for years of awkward pool-going and at the advice of a friend, I finally decided to try to learn. After all, I have three kids, and if any of them ever needed me to jump in and save them from any watery situation, I’d probably be the one that ended up needing to be saved. Plus, it’s just lame to me that I can’t swim.

The class I’m in has only 4 students. One didn’t show up last night. So, it was me, the instructor, and a mid-30s married couple. Now, you should understand that over the years I’ve developed a bit of a phobia. Not a fear of water specifically, but the fear of being completely submerged in water. The longer I put off swimming lessons, the greater this fear became. That being said, last night at dinner I was extremely nervous. I couldn’t even eat all of my food. Once I got to the pool, and the instructor said it was time to begin, my heart was beating fiercely.

We started with simple stuff, like bobbing up and down in the water. I knew, however, that it would only be a matter of time before I was asked to perform the unavoidable “head dunk.” When the time came, I said a silent prayer, took several deep breaths, and took the plunge. It was almost like it was slow-motion. I knew that I was completely under the water because I could feel it on the top of my head. I took a brief mental snapshot of what this felt like, and emerged from the water. As soon as I took a breath, an amazing, earth-shattering, life-altering realization came to the forefront of my mind: “This isn’t so bad.”

The rest of the night found me repeatedly trying to push the limits of my phobia. It was exhilarating, challenging, and extremely satisfying. After nearly three decades, I was not just learning how to swim, but doing so comfortably.

I’ve still got three lessons left. By no means do I expect to be the next Michael Phelps, and I’m sure you won’t catch me lifeguarding any time soon, but I’ve conquered a fear that had such a grip on me that I thought overcoming it was a futile effort.