I was going through old emails and noticed I hadn't responded to this yet. I can't find an email addy for you anywhere, and I hate to respond about LCMS stuff here – but boy do we need help! If you want to ping me, I'm crispone at gmail dot com.

Another interesting part of the article is that they say that the mega churches with TV ministries were really only one's who were good a being responsive. Maybe that says something about the focus of the both the websites and missions of the other ministries.

Whatever the reasons, it is disappointing info to read. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go improve my church's website. 😉

Hey Chris, I didn't know you were for the LCMS. I grew up in the LCMS. I'm curious to hear more about what you do.

I agree with most of what you say about churches being behind the curve technologically, but I would have thought TV ministries would be a) media savvy (including the Internet), b) focused on evangelism, c) have enough money to do their websites well, and d) care enough to make following up with people a priority.

I think there is a general impression that churches use technology well, but there are a LOT of churches out there, and while those that use social media well are getting more public exposure, those churches represent only a small fragment of the churches that exist. In my experience, the website is usually moderated by an administrative assistant or another person who – and this is key – doesn't see it as their job to make that personal connection with those who come to them through the website. Those email get forwarded to pastors or elders (not at my church, however) who are then expected to do the follow up, but as those people don't tend to be – again, in my experience – people who really grok the technology, they don't follow up well.

I should also point out that I work for the LCMS, which is usually even more hesitant to adopt new cultural expressions and technologies than other church groups.