Innovative Content for Your Children & Youth Ministry Web Pages

An article by Neil MacQueen
Originally written for Communication Resources "Web Advisor" magazine, 2005

Why should your church have a web page for children and youth?
Because that’s where the kids are. According to a July 2005 Pew Internet in American Life survey,  87% of kids age 12-17 are online regularly, with 51% daily. Pew’s Fall 2004 survey reports that over 80% of teens play games online. 89% go online to send/read email. 84% visit movie, TV,  and sports team sites. 80% play games online. 26% look for religious information. 75% instant messaging. And 22% are looking for health information related to sex, drugs, or depression. (http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Teens_Tech_July2005web.pdf) They are also sharing music files and photos, and posting personal web pages. Like Jesus, the church travels these highways in order to reach a new generation. 

Young people expect web page content to be fresh, interactive and fun. It’s what they experience elsewhere on the web. They don’t want a static brochure-like web page (who does?). This means that if you’re building a web page for children and youth in your church, fresh announcements and colorful graphics are not enough. Today’s young people want to share, they want to play, and they want to discover. A church website that facilitates these interests will attract kids.

But kids need reminders to visit your web page. And they need a reason for being there that will help them “stick” on your content. Fortunately the web provides several free tools you can use to bring kids to your web site and help build content. They include email lists, “bookmarking” and message boards.   

To remind kids to visit, create a simple web form on your page that asks for an email address. Have that address mailed to you, or to a mail-list service you have contracted with. Then it’s simply a matter of broadcasting an email to your list once or twice a month that includes a link to your site. Many web hosting packages include free email list support and the forms and code to create what you need. Check with your service provider. And don’t forget to print your web address on small giveaways to hand out.  

Bookmarking, also known as “Add a Favorite” on some browsers, creates a link on the user’s browser that’s easy to find next time they are surfing. But rather than hoping visitors will do it, you can create a web button for them to click that automatically lists your web page on the user’s Favorites list. (code examples: http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/javascript/addtofavorites.html)

Add free games to your website. Kids love to play, and it will give them a reason to return. You can add free games to your site either as a link to a games page, or by copying free game code into your web site. Google “online Christian games.” One quickie game the kids like is “goo” –warping a picture with the push of a mouse. Visit http://www.hilliardpres.org/qgoo/example.html for an example. Select "view source" from your browser menu and copy the code.  

You can also add interactive content by purchasing software specifically designed for websites. Communication Resources (and they didn’t ask me to include this) has a product that let’s you put Bible coloring books on your site. One caveat: kids can find free games all over the web. Be selective, and feature new games regularly.

Creating fresh content is a big commitment, so let your young people help provide it. Many young people are “instant messaging” each other every day, and creating their own personal web pages at amazing sites such as Xanga.com.  “Xanga” has almost become a verb in youth culture. “Did you Xanga today,” is short-hand for “did you check out your friends’ personal web pages and leave them messages, -and did you update your own page?”  Your web page can link to their Xanga’s.  Create one of your own, and remember to visit theirs often. It’s a great way to learn what’s going on in their lives, leave messages, and show you care.

You can create something like your own “Xanga” on your site by enabling the free message board software that may have come with your web site hosting package. Many service hosts provide it, or will recommend a package and allow you to install it. The message board can be password protected, and allow you and your members to upload pictures, announcements and comments. And many message board programs have an email list function built right into them. Whenever someone “registers” to become a member of your message board, they must provide an email address. As the administrator of that board, you can broadcast to all members via email as often as you like. A similar type of service is a “blog” program which you can install on your site to allow members to leave their thoughts on a wide variety of subjects. Google “free blog software” to explore your options.

Another innovative use is to steer your young people to other uplifting, safe and helpful websites –after they have visited your pages. There are thousands of possible links. Google “Christian web pages,” “Christian teens” or “Christian online games” and explore your options carefully. Some are quite good, while others are little more than advertisements. Check the theology of linked content. Include links to local info, such as theaters and schools. Many young people use the web to search for local movie times, or get homework help. And don’t forget the links to kid-friendly content elsewhere on your church’s site, such as the photos page.

These are just a few of the ways you can make your site seen, used and vital to your ministry, --and their lives.

Neil MacQueen is a Presbyterian minister, children’s Bible software developer and President of Sunday Software Inc., www.sundaysoftware.com 

Written August, 2005 for Communications Resources “Web Advisor”
This article may not be distributed.