New UMC.org will offer more services, create communities
Dec. 15, 2006
By Linda Green*
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- United Methodist
Communications will relaunch the denomination's Web site to become the
"front door" to the online faith community in early January.
UMC.org has been retooled to incorporate innovative technologies to bring people together in new ways.
The first large-scale social networking site developed by a mainline
denomination, UMC.org's online community has been designed to foster
meaningful relationships within the global church community and to allow
people to connect with the church seven days a week from wherever they
might be.
"The new design was necessary as the Web transforms to become a part of
the fabric of our lives," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of
United Methodist Communications.
The Book of Discipline, The United Methodist Church's law book,
charges the communications agency with developing, implementing and
maintaining the denomination's "presence on and use of the Internet, the
World Wide Web, or other computer services that can connect United
Methodist conferences, agencies and local churches with one another and
with the larger world."
Since the Web is the place people go to for information, connection and
recreation, it's important for the church to be in the environments
where people seek to find meaning today, Hollon said.
Research has shown the current Web site "is not as user-friendly and
accessible as the church needs in order to be a favorable environment,"
he said. "So we've committed to this redesign for current church members
and those seeking to know more about The United Methodist Church."
The site design team conducted interviews with more than 250 members,
leaders and seekers around the world during the research phase of the
redesign. The design and its new features were based on the needs
expressed by the users, according to the communications agency's Web
team.
A Web site is about connecting people and establishing a relationship
that serves the needs of the user effectively, Hollon said. UMC.org is
an "important entry point to the United Methodist community," and the
site has been retooled to be as friendly and useful as possible.
"Designing the Web site based on the expressed needs of leaders, members
and those who seek to know more about the church seemed to us to be an
important way to maintain that critical relationship," he added.
Front door to the church
When the switch is flipped in early January, the new site will enable
individuals to access the church's resources, find a church in any
community in the United States, identify personal spiritual gifts and
share prayer concerns with others.
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The Rev. Larry Hollon |
The new UMC.org has been designed to meet the needs of a large, diverse
audience and to make people feel welcome, as if they are walking into a
church, the designers on the Web team said. It will serve as a single
entranceway that provides access to church resources and offers visitors
a close look at who United Methodists are as a faith community.
"The site is important to the denomination because it is the front door
online to our faith community," Hollon said. "It is one of the first
places people go to locate a local congregation or to discover tools for
leading more effectively or finding ways to connect with local
congregations to live more faithfully."
Social networking is becoming an important way for people to connect,
learn and interact with others who share common interests and concerns,
he said. "As the first denomination to offer social networking on a Web
site on this scale, it is our hope that users can interact to grow in
their understanding of Christian faith and in their commitment to the
church."
A person visiting the "Our People" section of UMC.org will meet the
people of the United Methodist Church as well as other individuals of
faith around the world, hear their stories and share personal
experiences. The new site will allow individuals to expand their
ecumenical relationships and learn how others are making a difference in
the world through service. More than 60 related topics will provide
opportunities for site visitors to join community groups, talk and find
spiritual gifts that will benefit others.
UMC.org's online community also has a needs registry through which
participants can reach beyond their immediate communities to a global
audience. They can create online needs registries of the resources and
assistance they need, as well as search the database for volunteer
opportunities.
Similar
to other online social networks, UMC.org's online community will allow
users to establish a profile page with photographs and personal
information.
Connections are already occurring through user groups for "UM 101," a
small-group study program about the United Methodist Church, Hollon
said. Upon completing the online course, many participants continue to
stay connected with course participants and share their faith journeys.
The course, offered by United Methodist Communications, was developed
before the UMC.org redesign but offers an example of effective social
networking.
"We've also seen that this does not replace face-to-face community in
local congregations; it happens in addition to this important physical
community," Hollon continued. "The church is, in part, about
relationships. We hope to provide a means for people to relate to each
other about faith and important life concerns that will encourage deeper
study and engagement in local congregations, where the faith is
transmitted and we each receive support as we grow in our journey of
faith."
Highlighting the footprints
The Web site's "Our Church" section welcomes visitors to The United
Methodist Church and gives glimpses of the denomination's work
throughout the world. It shows seekers how that work is grounded by a
Wesleyan heritage and a Methodist perspective. In addition to teaching
United Methodist history, the site incorporates a United Methodist
global map to highlight the footprints of the denomination in the world.
How United Methodists live, practice, and share faith through action can
be found in the "Our Faith" section of the Web site. A prayer center
allows an individual to submit a prayer request to one of more than 300
covenant prayer groups around the world, whose members will pray on the
request for 30 days. The center is supported by the Upper Room Living
Prayer Center. Online sermons enable a person to learn, explore and grow
in faith.
The area called "Our World" shows how United Methodists are making a difference globally and domestically.
The site highlights accomplishments and provides resources, volunteer
opportunities and information for people who want to make a difference
through their local church. Visitors to this section can also find the
latest news and information on global issues and programs such as United
Methodist global relief efforts and HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention
programs.
"Our World" is also the home of "MethoPedia," an encyclopedia format with resources and news stories about topical issues.
Other features
The
redesigned "Find-A-Church" feature offers local churches an opportunity
to showcase their primary ministries and add a personal welcome
message, worship schedule and activities, photos of the church and its
people, membership statistics, an interactive map and driving
directions, and more. Users can search the database of churches by
geographic location, congregation size, language and ethnicity to find a
church that meets their needs.
The "Ask InfoServ" section provides answers to frequently asked
questions about the church and allows users to contact the
denomination's official information service by e-mail to get their
questions answered directly.
The new search tool, supported by Google, makes it easier to find
information by enabling users to search UMC.org as well as United
Methodist annual conference and church agency Web sites.
For a sneak peek of the new site, go to UMC.org and click on the flash box in the middle of the page, above Headlines.
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn. Diane Denton, United Methodist Communications' public
information officer, contributed to this story. UMNS is a unit of United
Methodist Communications.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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