Who Should and Should Not Manage a Church’s Website

Jonathan Long • February 21, 2023

Too often, churches make the mistake of entrusting the website design and development to someone who doesn't possess the necessary technical and creative skills. This person is often the one who is capable of the most mundane tasks, such as sending emails, making fliers, and other "office" tasks. The church then assigns this individual with the task of creating a website, expecting them to be able to handle the complexities of the task. This is a huge mistake as this person does not have the technical and creative skills to create a professional website.

That said, if you want your church's website to become successful, here is the list of people you should not give put responsible for it:

Who Shouldn't Be Responsible

The first person you might think to give the responsibility to are your IT experts, and we do not blame you. After all, IT professionals are responsible for keeping technology running smoothly. They are the ones who understand how to create and maintain computer systems, networks, and websites. They are also skilled in debugging software issues and troubleshooting hardware problems. However, despite all of that, IT managers often lack the skills necessary to develop and manage a website successfully.

IT managers often don't possess the know-how to create a website that is aesthetically pleasing and functionally sound. Nor do they realize the steps necessary to ensure a website is optimized for maximum growth and success. As a result, churches end up with a website that doesn't meet their needs and is difficult to maintain.

After that, you may be tempted to give the responsibility to someone you know who claims to have some website experience. However, that could be a huge mistake. Remember, it's not just about slapping some HTML and CSS code together. It involves SEO, UX design, and other valuable skills. A functional, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing website is the goal, and it will take more than just knowledge of web development to create.

To make a website that truly benefits your organization, you need to hire an experienced web designer who can bring expertise to the project.

Finally, you might be thinking of your admin. Unfortunately, this could be the biggest mistake you make. The admin of a church is already overworked and under a lot of stress. It would be unwise to give them the additional responsibility of managing the church's website. The admin likely does not have the skills, time, or mental capacity to give the website the attention and care it deserves.

With all of that in mind, it would be best to leave the website to someone more knowledgeable and free up the admin to focus on the more pressing matters.

Who Should Be Responsible

There are two individuals or departments you can consider giving the responsibility of running the website: the marketing and media departments.

The marketing department of a church is essential to ensure a successful website. This team is responsible for the outward-facing elements of the website, such as creating content and graphics to attract visitors, as well as the inbound data collection. They possess the unique skills necessary to effectively implement the website's purpose: communicating with members and prospective visitors. This team is necessary for the website to reach its full potential and create the church's best possible web presence.

Meanwhile, the media department of a church is a crucial part of the ministry, responsible for creating content that can be shared through the church's website. This content can include audio, video, and written material, enabling the church to spread its message to a wider audience. Through this content, the media ministry can help broadcast services and events, as well as share unique and original content.

Conclusion

Don't just reach out to a random person you think can run a website well simply because of their work ethic or background. Rather, reach out to those who know how to capitalize on your website. Whether it be a marketing or media department, or even a third-party professional, they will do a much better job of ensuring your website achieves the goal you have set for your church!

Faithworks Marketing offers the best custom websites to help churches and nonprofits enjoy websites built by those who understand their clients. If you are looking for a church marketing agency to help you build stunning and effective websites in Georgia, work with us today.

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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. 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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/