Church activity on the net

The following comes from:

Wired churches, wired temples: Taking congregations and missions into cyberspace -- Pew Internet & American Life Project

Over 1,300 congregations responded to an email from the Pew Internet & American Life Project and filled out an online survey that asked how they built and use their Web sites, how congregations and leaders use email, and whether their use of Internet tools has helped the spiritual and everyday life of their members.

Congregational life on the Web

• 83% of those responding to the survey say that their use has helped congregational life – 25% say it has helped a great deal.
• 81% say the use of email by ministers, staffs, and congregation helps the spiritual life of the congregation to some extent – 35% a great deal.
• 91% say email has helped congregation members and members of the staff stay more in touch with each other – 51% say it has helped a great deal.
• 63% say email has helped the congregation connect at least a bit more to the surrounding community – 17% say it has helped a lot.

Most popular church Web site features

• 83% encourage visitors to attend
• 77% post mission statements, sermons, or other text concerning their faith.
• 76% have links to denomination and faith-related sites.
• 60% have links to scripture studies or devotional material.
• 56% post schedules, meeting minutes, and other internal communications.

What churches are contemplating next on their Web sites

• 29% say they might add photographs of congregation events to their sites.
• 27% hope to post material for teens and their youth group.
• 22% want to provide space for prayer requests.
• 22% are thinking of including a sign-up feature for classes and programs.
• 18% want to provide links to scripture studies and devotional material.
• 16% are thinking of providing links to community sites such as the local media, the government, and festivals.

Internet use by clergy & pastors

• 81% have gotten information for worship services.
• 77% have sought information on the Bible, Torah, or other scriptures.
• 72% have gotten devotional resources.
• 72% have gathered information for education programs.
• 59% have hunted for information on matters of doctrine.
• 57% have gotten information on other denominations and faiths.
• 54% have sought information on matters of faith.