Digital Ministry

WordPress (and Worship Times) Explained

October 4, 2023 by Justin Near Leave a Comment

Many people are familiar with WordPress. It’s known as the easy, “free” open-source environment used worldwide by millions of people to build and manage websites.

But WordPress isn’t a single entity. It’s a complex network of individuals and businesses. That has some amazing advantages, like being able to fulfill whatever your needs are from a vast and connected neural network, but it also means that a WordPress site is a complex system, with layer upon layer of nuance.

WordPress as a CMS

WordPress core is the foundation of any WordPress site. It is the base code that every WordPress site is built on and contains the core functionality of every WordPress site.

Part of that core system is an editor, the Gutenberg block editor. And with a very simple plug-in, you can still access the classic WordPress editor, allowing you to choose between two different editing experiences.

What this means is that at its heart, WordPress is a content management system (CMS). It started out as a blogging platform and took giant leaps as it filled the needs of a growing niche of people who wanted to edit and control their own websites without needing to get a degree in computer software engineering. It can now do anything and everything, from a basic one-page site to a learning management system to an eCommerce solution. But WordPress often can’t do and be all of those things by itself.

Themes & Plug-Ins

Themes extend the design and sometimes editing capabilities of your WordPress site. Plug-ins extend the functionality of your site – that’s where you can do things like create forms that integrate with Mailchimp or build an eCommerce site.

If you’re starting your own WordPress site, the WordPress theme and plugin repositories are likely where you’ll go. There are so many free themes and plug-ins to choose from!

But as you begin your journey, you’ll quickly discover that “free” doesn’t necessarily cover all of your needs, that “free” doesn’t necessarily include fast support from the theme or plug-in developers (and possibly not any support at all), that screenshots and a brief description don’t always tell you all you need to know before you upload and activate, and that “free” doesn’t always mean “good.”

The Relationship between Themes & Plug-Ins and Worship Times

Going with a website company like Worship Times that uses WordPress sites to build its websites, you bypass all of that hassle and frustration.

Worship Times vets all of the themes and plug-ins that we use. Over time, those themes and plug-ins change out as new technologies become available.
Inside and out, we know the themes and plug-ins that we use (and by proxy their developers and support) – we know their pros and cons, their joys and concerns, their gifts and their quirks.
Sometimes themes and plug-ins don’t play well with each other. One thing affects another, and before you know it, there’s a ripple effect and something isn’t functioning correctly, or, worst case, your site goes down. Worship Times understands this thoroughly and avoids (or knows how to deal with) problem children.
Worship Times works directly with WP Engine (a WordPress-specific hosting provider) to create the best possible environment for your specific site and its many layers.
We function as your translator! We work directly with theme and plug-in developers, paying for support when that’s an option, and understand and speak their language. Despite WordPress being such a vast network of people, we are often the first ones to notify them of an issue, and we keep on top of those issues if they aren’t resolved in a timely fashion.

The Design Cascade

Because of the complexity of the relationship between themes and plug-ins, the style and design of your site can become incredibly difficult to navigate.

Cascading style sheets (CSS) are what allows your site to look the way it looks. Themes are one of the primary ways in which that happens. But themes can have child themes – a customized version of your theme that isn’t overridden by a theme update (layer #2). And sometimes we at Worship Times add custom CSS to your site to get it to look just right (another layer). And finally there’s inline CSS – you can change specific things in your editor. This is the final layer that overrides (usually) all previous layers.

But plug-ins can have styling, too, and they can just plop themselves into the middle of any of those layers. That means that sometimes theme styling overrides plug-in styling, but sometimes plug-in styling overrides theme styling, and it has to be corrected. As part of your build process, we make those adjustments – we know exactly which plug-ins need a styling boost!

Updates

WordPress is a dynamic environment, and your site is not a closed system (hence the name “open”-source) – it is constantly changing. Really! It never stops!

WordPress core and every theme and plug-in will (should!) eventually have an update (some have more updates than others) – this keeps your site secure, the code up-to-date, and allows everyone to continue to play nicely together. Weekly (yes, weekly!) updates are just a part of what we do here at Worship Times, included with all of our sites.

But, as with everything, it’s more complicated than that. We don’t just run updates.

We know when to hold on doing updates. Doing an update immediately isn’t always the best idea – the first major version release of any product can have a LOT of bugs.
We try to wait until at least the biggest bugs are worked out before updating.
And we spot check sites after updating to make sure nothing major is wonky because of an update. We may not catch everything, and some things are unavoidable, but we want your experience to be as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

The Worship Times Community

The best thing about Worship Times is our community! WordPress is a MASSIVE community, and we’re just a slice of that pie. We have “partners” not “clients” because we are all doing ministry together. Our team is a part of your community, and our other partners are, too!

Many of our clients are part of a multi-site environment. What this means is that you’re sharing technical resources with other ministries. This has the benefit of keeping costs as low as possible for you, but it ALSO means that you don’t live alone on an island. You have a community of neighbors who live next to you – they can relate exactly to what you’re experiencing with your website.

That same community, expanded to include all of our partners, is also uniquely suited to answer questions about your ministry. How do you attract young people? What’s the best way to livestream? How do QR codes work? Join our Facebook group to participate in the conversation!

And you can ask our team any question via support, and we’ll provide you with a thorough answer. We’ll go down ANY rabbit hole for you (we love doing that!) and are tenacious in solving problems and coming up with solutions.

Let us know what questions you have, what your needs are, what you love, or what you are concerned about. Everyone at Worship Times – our team and our partners – is here to help!

Understanding Embeds: Seamlessly Integrate External Content

August 31, 2023 by Michael Gyura Leave a Comment

What is an embed?

Embeds contain content from an external platform. Most often, this is in the form of a script, provided by the external platform, allowing you to display that platform’s content on your site.

Does that sound like tech jargon? Think of embeds as windows on your website. They provide a view into another platform’s content. While you can still see the familiar surroundings of your site, the embed acts as a window, showcasing content from elsewhere.

What does an embed look like?

A common example of an embed is a video embed. If you upload a video to YouTube or Vimeo, you can display that video on your site. The video remains hosted on the original platform, but an embed allows viewers to watch it directly on your site.

The appearance of your embed depends on the platform from which you are sourcing. You may occasionally have limited control over its design and styling, but not always. A Google Calendar embed, for instance, will look like a Google Calendar.

WordPress-Approved Embeds

WordPress maintains a list of third-party sites from which users can embed content without needing specific codes. For popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud, you simply copy the public link of the desired content and paste it into the WordPress text editor. This works best when embedding one item of content from another source. Ensure any content that you embed is public and that you adhere to copyright laws, which might involve crediting the original creator.

It’s important to note that this approved list evolves as code and platforms develop. While new platforms may be added, some might also be removed. For those using the Gutenberg block editor, a list of embed blocks is available. Most of these can also be embedded via a URL in the text editor.

Worship Times Integrations

Worship Times provides integrations with a range of external tools through the “Add Media” button in the text editor. Some of these integrations offer more features than standard WordPress-approved embeds. Many of these tools were specifically requested by ministries and include:

Vanco
Tithe.ly
Polldaddy
SlideShare
Vimeo
Vimeo Live
Google Maps
Google Calendar
Google Slides
Facebook
Facebook Video
Twitter
YouTube
Ustream (now IBM Video Streaming)
Boxcast

Less Common Embeds

If you can’t find the desired platform in the lists mentioned, don’t worry. Countless technologies allow for embedding. If you wish to embed from a platform that provides you with an embed code, please submit that code in a support ticket or email us at support@worshiptimes.org.

Directly pasting embed code into your site can be problematic, especially on our multi-site network, as codes can be stripped for security reasons. If you send the code to us, we’ll create a shortcode for you. This shortcode functions like the original embed code but doesn’t get stripped out when you edit the page.

What is a shortcode?

Example:

In WordPress, a shortcode, always encapsulated within square brackets, serves as a way to display content from another source. This content can be internal, like forms or event lists, but shortcodes can also represent embed codes. Typically, a shortcode specifies its source (like a Gravity Form in the provided example) and may include parameters for customization. The example pulls a form with an ID of “1” and displays its title.

Need more information or assistance with a specific embed or platform? Submit a support ticket or email us at support@worshiptimes.org. We’re here to help!

Church Branding 101: Creating a Memorable and Meaningful Identity

July 25, 2023 by Sara Stanton Leave a Comment

Crafting a unique and recognizable identity is important for all types of organizations, including churches. Today’s post focuses on the vital but often overlooked area of church branding. With a well-defined brand, your church can resonate more deeply with your congregation, attract new members, and more effectively communicate your mission.

Church Branding: An Overview

Church branding is about much more than creating a logo or a catchy slogan; it encompasses the total experience that people have with your church, both in-person and online. Your brand is the impression that people get when they walk through your doors, interact with your congregation, visit your website, or scroll through your social media feeds. It embodies your mission, values, and the unique aspects that set your church apart.

The Importance of a Strong Brand Identity

A powerful brand identity helps to create a sense of belonging among current members while attracting new ones. It communicates your church’s mission, values, and personality in a consistent and easily recognizable way. Just like commercial brands use their identity to connect with their customers, a church can use its brand identity to connect on a deeper level with its congregation and the wider community.

Crafting Your Brand Strategy

Creating your brand strategy starts by understanding your church’s mission, vision, and core values. Who are you as a church? What is your purpose? What do you stand for? These questions form the foundation of your brand.

Your brand strategy should also consider your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What are their needs and how can your church meet them? Understanding your audience will help you to communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships.

Branding Elements: Logos, Colors, and More

The visual elements of your brand, like your logo, color scheme, typography, and imagery, should reflect the personality and values of your church. Your logo, for instance, should be distinctive, easy to recognize, and convey the essence of your church. Your chosen colors and fonts should harmonize with the overall image you aim to project.

Online Presence: Websites and Social Media

Your online presence is a crucial part of your church branding. A well-designed, user-friendly website that aligns with your brand identity can provide a wealth of information and engage members with dynamic content. Social media platforms offer additional channels to connect with your congregation, share your message, and attract new members. Make sure that your online presence is consistent with your overall brand strategy, offering a cohesive and authentic experience to all users.

Conclusion

Church branding might seem daunting, but it’s a necessary step to communicate with your congregation and community effectively. By defining your church’s mission, vision, and values, understanding your audience, and translating these elements into a visual brand and online presence, you can create a powerful brand identity that truly represents your church.

As you journey into church branding, remember that consistency is key. A consistent brand fosters trust and helps people feel connected to your church. Also, bear in mind that successful branding is a process. Be open to feedback, keep fine-tuning, and don’t be afraid to tweak your brand as your church grows and changes.

Ready to take the next step in defining your church’s brand identity? Reach out to us today for a consultation. From logo design, to colors, to typography, we can work together to create a meaningful and memorable church brand that will resonate with your congregation and community.

Why Your Church Needs A Blog

July 19, 2023 by Michael Gyura 2 Comments

In the era of digital transformation, churches, like any other institutions, need to leverage the Internet to connect with their congregation and beyond. Today, we will delve into one specific aspect of online presence: church blogs.

Why Your Church Needs a Blog

Reaching Beyond Boundaries: A blog enables your church to extend its reach far beyond the physical location.

Digital Engagement: With society’s increasingly digital lifestyle, a blog provides an avenue for members and interested individuals to engage with your church even when they can’t be there physically. It’s a powerful tool for fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Search Engine Visibility: A blog is also a valuable asset for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Regularly posting unique, relevant content helps improve your church’s visibility on search engines, leading more people to discover your church online.

What to Write or Include

Sermon Reflections: Weekly reflections on sermons allow readers to engage more deeply with the message, encourage discussions, and provide a platform for those who couldn’t attend in person.

Testimonies: Personal stories of faith and transformation can be immensely powerful. Encourage members of your congregation to share their faith stories. These authentic narratives can be inspiring and draw others towards your community.

Church News and Updates: Keep your congregation updated with upcoming events, community projects, or important announcements.

Spiritual Insights and Devotionals: These can provide daily or weekly encouragement, keeping your congregation spiritually nourished and connected.

Mission Stories: Share updates from mission endeavors, highlighting the impact of your church’s outreach efforts.

Pictures: Pictures enhance blog posts by capturing readers’ attention, breaking up long chunks of text, and aiding comprehension. They give you a chance to show who you are as a church and what you have been up to. Pictures can also reinforce messages. Additionally, they significantly improve SEO, encouraging higher engagement rates. Visually appealing posts foster shares and comments, thus expanding reach.

How Often To Post

Consistency is key in blogging. Posting at regular intervals – say once or twice a week – ensures your blog stays fresh and relevant. It’s also important for SEO, as search engines favor websites that update their content regularly. However, the frequency should not compromise the quality of your content. It’s better to post less often but maintain high-quality, impactful content. If once a week seems overwhelming, start with once or twice a month.

Don’t Have Time to Update Your Blog?

Maybe your church wants a blog, but there is no one who can regularly update it. We get it! At Worship Times we offer support contracts for this very thing. A person on our staff can work with you to keep your church’s blog updated regularly. We can even create content for you. Send us an e-mail, and let’s talk about what you need and how we can help.

Conclusion

A church blog serves as a powerful digital ministry tool, capable of reaching and engaging with people far beyond the physical confines of your church. It allows you to share your message of faith, inspire through personal stories, provide spiritual nourishment, and create a sense of community online.

Additionally, it’s a crucial component for your church’s online visibility, ensuring your church appears in search engine results and draws a wider audience.

Questions? Reach out to us at https://worshiptimes.org/contact/ —we can offer suggestions and insight to help you get started on creating a blog that doesn’t just inform your members, but also helps you reach new people.

Organizing Your Website With Events

June 27, 2023 by Michael Gyura Leave a Comment

Today, we are diving into streamlining and organizing your ministry’s website by effectively using your event systems. The focus is on recurring events and categories, which offer an efficient and easy way to keep your website current and more interactive. We are also going to take it a step further by tapping into the new “series” feature of the Events System.

In the video below, Michael walks through the steps to accomplish adding events and organizing them in a way so we can display relevant events on certain pages.

Getting Started: The Tools

We’re utilizing the popular Divi Theme for our framework alongside the Events Calendar Pro plugin. These tools are complemented by an add-on for Divi called the Divi Events Calendar. If you’re a current Worship Times partner, these base tools are included in our newer accounts.

Please note that even our legacy partners can accomplish something close to this with our older tools. Please reach out to support to find out how.

Creating Series

Our first step in event management is creating a series. A Series groups various events (recurring, single, etc.) under one umbrella. In our example, we created two series named ‘worship’ and ‘youth’, though you can use as many series as needed for your ministry’s groups.

Event Creation

Next, we create our events, starting with recurring events. We’ll create a sample 8:00 AM worship service event as an example. Make sure to assign it to the correct series (in this case, ‘worship’) and give it an event category of the same name. Remember to set an end date with recurring events so you don’t clog up your database. Don’t forget to include venue details for physical or virtual events. Select an organizer if required and add a featured image.

This process can be repeated for any number of events you wish to create for each series.

Integrating Events on Your Page

Once your events are set up, it’s time to integrate them onto your webpage. When you’re editing the page where the events should display, select the “add new module” option in Divi, search for ‘event’ and select ‘events feed’. If you don’t see any options show up, please reach out to support and we’ll get the tools added for you. Go through all the options to customize the feed exactly how you want it, making sure that the excerpt is set to display and that you’ve selected the correct series or category.

The event feed will then automatically show all events linked to the selected categories. It makes your website dynamic and interactive, and it’s a great way to stay organized and up-to-date.

The Power of Series

The series feature offers the ability to edit individual events within the series, making it a fantastic tool for SEO. As events are often current and changing, they rank high with search engines. You can add unique details for each event, including things like scripture verses, sermon topics, and live feed options.

Remember to edit the excerpt for each event as it will appear on the events list on your webpage. When you update these individual event details, the system will break out this event from the recurring schedule, transforming it into a unique event.

Please note that the same individual event editing can be accomplished without using Series. To do so, simply navigate to the event on the front-end of your website and edit the event from there. I prefer to use Series simply to keep things organized, but it’s not required.

Wrapping Up

The combination of recurring events, categories, and series offers an efficient and dynamic system to keep your website organized and current. It’s a great way to enhance the user experience and improve your SEO. You can apply these steps for any group within your ministry, keeping your website interactive and up-to-date.

If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for more content. Should you have any questions or need assistance, our team is here to help. Stay tuned for more videos and happy website organizing!

How to use Instagram and Your Church Website to Showcase Mission Trips

June 13, 2023 by Michael Gyura Leave a Comment

Today, we’ll be exploring how to create and manage a unique webpage for your church’s summer trips and events to keep your congregation informed. More specifically, we’ll discuss how to integrate Instagram into these pages, enabling an interactive way for your group to share their experiences.

Why Instagram?

As the summer months roll on, many of your members will head out on mission trips. In particular, we are focusing on a high school mission trip where most of the youth are active Instagram users. By allowing them to post their photos to Instagram, tag your ministry, and add a specific hashtag, we can filter out specific memories related to their trip and display them on the dedicated event page. This allows the participants to use a medium most of them are used to while also allowing others to participate, even if they’ve never used Instagram before.

How to Make it Happen

In the below video, I’ll walk you through how to set up this page and the Instagram feed. We’ve also written instructions below to go with the video. Enjoy, and please let me know how it goes!

7 Steps to Make it Happen

Create a Dated Event Page
1. Our first step is to create a webpage just for this event. We highly recommend doing this every year for your Vacation Bible School (VBS), mission trip, or any other church event. By creating a dedicated page, you provide a single point of reference for people to stay informed about the ongoing event. This will also serve as an archive to look back on in later years.
Enhancing Your Page
1. To make your event page more engaging, consider integrating videos and other media for visitors to engage with. Here’s a post we wrote on using Youtube with your church website. This is also the space where we’ll integrate the Instagram shortcode, pulling in photos from your ministry tagged with a specific hashtag (but we want more than just an image feed on this page).
2. If possible, a great addition to this page is a live stream option. Whether there’s a professional event stream or a simple cell phone live stream, providing live updates can create a sense of real-time connection for parents and other members who aren’t physically present at the event. Check out our webmaster class on live streaming for a good primer.
3. Moreover, consider creating daily blog post updates for your event. You can create a blog post category (say, 2023 Mission Trip) and add daily posts categorizing them under it. Then create a feed from this category and place it on this event page. Check out our webmaster class on why you should use your blog.
Incorporating Instagram with Smash Balloon
1. To incorporate Instagram into your church’s website, you will need the Smash Balloon Instagram feed. As a Worship Times customer, you can reach out to us, and we will assist you in getting this installed. Any of our newer websites have the capability to place these feeds.
2. Upon installation, go over to the settings and link your Instagram account. Make sure your account is a business account to access all features necessary for integrating Instagram into your website. After linking the account, proceed to set up the feed.
Setting Up the Instagram Feed
1. When setting up the feed, opt for tagged posts. This will allow people to tag your ministry in their photos. Additionally, you can add extra filters for specific hashtags. However, be cautious with public hashtags, as they can lead to unexpected and irrelevant photos appearing on your church’s website.
Filtering and Moderating Your Feed
1. You can set up filters based on specific keywords or hashtags. This way, only posts that contain specific words or hashtags will appear in the feed. For instance, you might set a specific hashtag like ‘MT23’ for your mission trip. Learn more about hashtags in our webmaster class.
2. While moderation might seem like extra work, it’s useful if you find that the tags are being misused or spammy. It allows you to manually select the photos that you want to appear in the feed.
Embedding the Instagram Feed
1. Once you’ve configured the settings to your liking, copy the embed code and paste it into the desired section on your event page. Be aware that the integration of Instagram will slow down the page’s load time, so choose its placement wisely to not disrupt the user experience.
Monitor and Update Your Page
1. After successfully integrating Instagram and publishing your page, make sure to routinely monitor the content being displayed. Update the website as necessary based on your mission trip’s progress or other event details.
2. Don’t forget to remind your participants to use the appropriate tag and hashtags when posting their photos. This will ensure their images show up on your website, creating a collective memory for the community to share and reflect upon.

In Conclusion

Incorporating Instagram into your church’s website can provide a real-time and interactive platform for sharing experiences and fostering unity within your community.

Social media doesn’t need to detract from the spiritual experience; when used with intention, it can become a tool for building fellowship and connection. So I encourage you to embrace this technology, and create memorable and engaging experiences for your congregation.

Thank you for reading. If you need help setting up your event page or integrating Instagram, feel free to reach out to us. We are always here to help. Please share with us any pages you create; we’d love to see your work!

Worship Times vs. Free Builders: The Best Church Website Solution

March 18, 2023 by Michael Gyura Leave a Comment

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is crucial for any organization, including churches. A well-designed website is a powerful communication tool that can help your church engage with your congregation, reach out to new members, and share essential information. While free website builders might seem like an attractive option, there are some compelling reasons why partnering with Worship Times is the better choice for your church. Let’s explore the benefits of entrusting your website to our team of professionals.

Tailored Solutions for Your Church

Free website builders often provide generic templates that may not cater to the specific needs of a church. Worship Times, on the other hand, specializes in creating custom websites for faith-based organizations. Our team of experienced web designers understands the unique requirements of churches, allowing us to develop a website that truly represents your mission, vision, and values.

Expertise in Church Communications

At Worship Times, we are not just web designers but also experts in church communications. We understand the importance of effectively conveying your message to your audience, both visually and contextually. Our team will work closely with you to create content that resonates with your congregation and accurately represents your church’s identity.

Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design

In a world where more and more people access the internet through their smartphones, having a responsive and mobile-friendly website is crucial. Free website builders may not always offer this level of compatibility, leaving your visitors with a subpar browsing experience. Worship Times ensures that your website will look great and function seamlessly across all devices, making it easy for your members and visitors to access your content anytime, anywhere.

Ongoing Support and Maintenance

One of the key advantages of partnering with Worship Times is our commitment to providing ongoing support and maintenance for your website. Free website builders often lack dedicated customer service, leaving you struggling to resolve technical issues independently. Our team is always available to assist you with any problems or updates, ensuring your website remains up-to-date and functioning optimally. It boils down to: “how much is your time worth?”

Comprehensive Features for Your Church

Free website builders often have limitations in terms of features and functionality. Worship Times offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features specifically designed for churches, including sermon archives, event calendars, online giving, live streaming, social media management, and email marketing integration. These features will enhance the user experience for your congregation and help you streamline your church’s operations.

Enhanced Security and Reliability

Security is essential for any website, particularly when dealing with sensitive information such as online donations. Worship Times takes the security of your website seriously, implementing robust security measures and regular updates to protect your site from potential threats. Additionally, our reliable hosting ensures that your website remains accessible and performs well at all times.

Conclusion

While free website builders might seem like a cost-effective solution, they often fail to meet faith-based organizations’ unique needs. By choosing Worship Times, your church can benefit from a custom, responsive website that accurately represents your values and helps you effectively communicate with your congregation. Our expertise in church communications, ongoing support, and comprehensive features make Worship Times the clear choice for churches looking to create or upgrade their online presence.

Ready to elevate your church’s online presence with a custom-designed website tailored to your needs? Don’t settle for a generic free website builder. Choose Worship Times for a seamless, mobile-friendly, and feature-rich experience that truly represents your church’s mission and values. Contact our team of experts today at https://worshiptimes.org/contact/ and let us help you create an engaging and secure website for your faith-based community.