Top 6 Security Features Every Church and Non-Profit Website Needs

Jono Long • March 10, 2024

As the digital world continues to evolve, the importance of website security for churches and non-profit organizations cannot be overstated. Cybersecurity threats pose significant risks to these entities, including compromised data, disrupted operations, and a tarnished reputation. To safeguard your online presence and protect sensitive information, it's crucial to employ robust security measures that can deter potential cyberattacks and keep your website secure.

In this article, we will discuss the top 6 security features your church or non-profit website needs, and how partnering with us can help you implement and maintain these crucial safeguards. We will delve into important web security measures, such as SSL certificates, regular backups, secure login practices, strong password policies, and regular updates that can help protect your website from hackers and other malicious activities. By incorporating these essential security features, you can ensure that your online presence serves as a safe and reliable platform for your community to connect, engage, and thrive. So, let's explore these critical security measures and learn how Faithworks Marketing can help you keep your website safe and protected.

Top 6 Security Features Every Church and Non-Profit Website Needs

1. SSL Certificates: Encrypting Sensitive Data

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a critical security feature that encrypts data transmitted between a user's browser and your website, protecting sensitive information such as personal details, login credentials, and donation transactions. When your website has an SSL certificate, its URL begins with "https://" instead of "http://", and a padlock icon appears next to the web address, indicating that the site is secure.

Installing an SSL certificate not only secures your website but also builds trust among your visitors and even improves search engine rankings, as search engines like Google prioritize secure sites. We can help your church or non-profit website obtain and implement an SSL certificate, ensuring the security of your online data and bolstering user trust in your organization.

2. Regular Backups: Safeguarding Your Website Content

Having a regular backup routine is crucial to protect your website content in case of technical issues or malicious activities, such as hacking or data breaches. Backing up your website includes creating copies of all essential data, including files, databases, and settings, so you can quickly restore your site if needed.

We can help you establish a regular backup schedule, ensuring that your website data is securely stored and recoverable in the event of an emergency. We can also assist you in choosing the optimal backup solution, whether it be an onsite, offsite, or cloud-based storage option, tailoring the process to your organization's specific needs.

3. Secure Login Practices: Protecting Access to Your Website

Implementing secure login practices is crucial in safeguarding your church or non-profit website against unauthorized access. One such practice is using multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires users to provide multiple forms of verification to access your site, such as a password and a one-time code sent to your mobile device. This added layer of security makes it more difficult for hackers to gain unauthorized entry into your website, even if they have access to a user's password.

In addition, limiting the number of users with administrative access and closely monitoring user activities can further reduce the risk of unauthorized access or internal threats to your website. We can assist your organization in implementing secure login practices and help create a robust system that prevents unauthorized access to your site.

4. Strong Password Policies: Ensuring Secure User Access

Having strong password policies in place is fundamental to protecting your website. Weak or commonly used passwords can easily be guessed or cracked by cybercriminals, compromising your site's security. Implementing and enforcing strong password policies can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect your sensitive data from malicious attacks.

We can help you establish strong password policies for your church or non-profit website, providing guidance on password length, complexity, and periodic updates. We can also recommend and help integrate password management tools to assist users in generating and securely storing strong passwords to bolster your site's overall security.

5. Regular Updates: Maintaining a Secure Website Infrastructure

Keeping your website platform, plugins, and themes up-to-date is crucial for maintaining a secure environment. Outdated software often contains security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access or launch cyberattacks against your website. Regular updates ensure that any known security issues are patched, reducing the risk of hacking or malware infections.

We can help you manage and maintain regular updates to your church or non-profit website, keeping all of your site's components and software current, and reducing vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.

6. Web Application Firewall: Preventing Cyberattacks

Implementing a web application firewall (WAF) is another vital security feature for your church or non-profit website. A WAF monitors and filters incoming web traffic, blocking potential cyberattacks, such as SQL injections, cross-site scripting, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. By offering real-time protection against these threats, a web application firewall helps ensure the ongoing safety and integrity of your site.

We are well-versed in web security and can help you choose and implement the ideal WAF solution to protect your website from potentially harmful traffic or attacks. With our assistance, you can be confident that your organization's website remains safe from a wide variety of cyber threats.

Secure Your Church or Non-Profit Website with Faithworks Marketing

Safeguarding your church or non-profit website with robust security features is crucial in today's digital landscape. Implementing measures such as SSL certificates, regular backups, secure login practices, strong password policies, and regular updates is essential in defending against cyberattacks and protecting sensitive data. Additionally, integrating a web application firewall can further strengthen your site's security and deter potential threats.

At Faithworks Marketing, our church marketing agency is committed to helping churches and non-profit organizations like yours secure and maintain their online presence. With a comprehensive understanding of web security principles, we can guide your organization in implementing and managing the necessary security measures, ensuring that your website is protected from malicious activities and remains a trustworthy platform for your community. Get in touch with us today!

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AI, Side Hustles, Creative Ministry, and $10K Google Grants: What Every Pastor Needs to Know

By Jono Long • August 21, 2025

For many pastors today, ministry is both a calling and a financial challenge. As the cost of living rises and church salaries remain modest, more pastors are turning to side hustles and creative income streams to provide for their families. This trend is shaping what many believe will define the next generation of church leaders: bivocational ministry. In a recent episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Luke Clayton sat down with Jono Long , founder of Faithworks Marketing, to discuss their parallel journeys from ministry to entrepreneurship. Together, they shared practical strategies for church marketing, candid lessons from business, and encouragement for pastors who feel caught between calling and provision. Ministry Meets Entrepreneurship Both Luke and Jono began in full-time ministry, but financial realities forced them to adapt. Jono, a youth pastor in Georgia, found himself with five kids, a wife at home, and a salary that wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Out of necessity, he turned to social media management for local businesses. What started as a $300-a-month side hustle eventually grew into Faithworks Marketing , an agency serving churches across the country. Luke’s path was similar but marked by burnout. As a communications director at a large church and school, he was responsible for everything creative—websites, graphics, video, and media. With no budget to outsource and a workload that never stopped, he eventually hit a breaking point. Stepping away cold turkey, he launched his own creative business, Increase Creative , which now helps churches with websites, branding, and podcast production. Their stories reflect a growing trend: ministry leaders are often entrepreneurs at heart, using their creativity and problem-solving skills to build businesses that support both their families and the church. Why Bivocational Ministry is the New Normal While many pastors once saw bivocational work as a backup plan, it is quickly becoming the new reality. Church salaries often fall short of providing financial stability, especially for families. Meanwhile, the American cost of living continues to rise. This creates tension for pastors who want to devote themselves fully to ministry but also need to provide for their loved ones. Luke and Jono both noted the guilt factor many pastors feel when pursuing side income, as if it means they are less committed to the church. In reality, bivocational work can be freeing. As Jono shared, when pastors are less dependent on their church paycheck, they can lead with boldness, making decisions based on conviction rather than fear of losing their job. Unlocking the Power of Google Ad Grants One of the most practical tools for churches that Jono highlighted is the Google Ad Grant , which gives qualifying nonprofits up to $10,000 per month in free advertising . Many churches don’t take advantage of it, or they try but see little success. The most common reason: their websites lack content. “Church websites often have only a few words, a mission statement, and service times,” Jono explained. “That will never work for the grant.” Practical tips for churches to maximize the grant include: Create content-rich pages : Google rewards sites with valuable answers to common questions. Leverage sermons : Transcribe and summarize sermons into blog posts to boost SEO. Target felt needs : Ads about prayer, anxiety, or salvation resonate deeply with people searching online. By building a content-driven website and strategically using the grant, churches can expand their reach far beyond Sunday morning. SEO, AI, and the Future of Church Marketing The digital landscape is changing fast. With Google’s AI Overviews now answering many search queries directly, fewer people are clicking through to websites. For churches, this makes content strategy more important than ever . “Good content still wins,” Jono said. “Whether AI-generated or human-written, Google rewards sites that provide thoughtful, helpful answers.” For churches, this means focusing on practical, biblical content that speaks to real needs in their community. Lessons from the Trenches of Business Both Luke and Jono were quick to admit their mistakes. For Luke, the biggest was hiring too fast, taking on employees before his business could sustain them. For Jono, it was diving into websites and SEO without fully understanding them, learning through trial and error. Their honesty underscores an important truth: entrepreneurship is messy. But both emphasized that failure is part of the journey, and perseverance often matters more than a perfect business plan. Creative Side Hustles for Pastors Pastors and ministry leaders often have more marketable skills than they realize. Jono shared how he started a DJ and photo booth company, hiring youth pastors and worship leaders to serve at weddings and proms. Their stage presence, comfort with sound systems, and ability to engage people made them natural fits. Luke, meanwhile, has leaned into podcast production, helping churches launch and manage their shows. Both are examples of how ministry skills—communication, leadership, problem-solving—translate into entrepreneurial ventures. From web design to coaching, from content creation to event services, pastors have opportunities to create side income streams that complement their ministry instead of distracting from it. The conversation between Luke and Jono highlights a new reality: bivocational ministry is here to stay. Pastors no longer have to choose between serving the church and providing for their families. By embracing entrepreneurship, leveraging tools like Google Ad Grants, and using their transferable skills, pastors can thrive both spiritually and financially. The message is clear: you can do ministry, build a business, and serve God faithfully—all at the same time. 🔗 Learn more about Faithworks Marketing: https://faithworksmarketing.com 🔗 Connect with Luke Clayton and explore coaching for bivocational pastors: https://jlukeclayton.com/