Want to say ‘welcome’ beyond your church’s homepage? Invest time in creating an appealing and comprehensive staff or team web page.
When we decide to build or rebuild our church or ministry website we usually tend to put a lot of effort into the homepage. While the homepage is usually the first stop for many visitors to a church website, the “Staff” or “About Us” page can be just as crucial in shaping a visitor’s perception of the church. Not every visitor to our website will go to the “Staff” page but those who will show their higher interest in our church communities. This page provides an opportunity for us to show who we are and what we’re all about, and to build a connection with potential members and first-time visitors.
Despite its importance, the “Staff” page is often overlooked and not given the attention it deserves. Churches may invest time and resources into creating a visually appealing homepage, but neglect to create a comprehensive “Staff” page that accurately reflects the church’s leadership and team that set the tone and direction of the community. Let’s discuss why the “Staff” page is an important part of a church website and what should be included on this page.
What is a “Staff” page?
This seems fairly simple, don’t you think? A church website’s “Staff” page, also called a “About Us” or “Team” page, is a section that offers details about the church’s leadership and staff. To introduce the members of the church and give guests a sense of how the church is structured and run, we do that there. Furthermore, because it is so obvious to us, it is simple for us to overlook the potential importance of this page to visitors to our church website. How many opportunities it creates will soon become clear to you.
Why do you need an inspiring “Staff” page?
The “Staff” page fulfills several crucial functions. First off, giving visitors a chance to get to know the church’s leadership and staff, promotes transparency and fosters trust with them. Visitors can see the faces behind the organization and get a sense of who they might be interacting with if they choose to attend services or get involved in the church’s activities by highlighting the people who make up the organization.
The “Staff” page aids in the development of a sense of community and belonging in addition to trust. The page can inspire visitors to see themselves as a part of the church and to feel connected to its mission and values by showcasing the diversity and strengths of the church’s team.
The church’s abilities and strengths can be highlighted on the “Staff” page. The page can give prospective members a sense of the church’s capabilities and inspire confidence in the church’s ability to meet their spiritual needs by highlighting the accomplishments and expertise of the church’s leaders and staff.
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Examples Of Different Types Of Team Pages
There are several different types of “Staff” or “Team” pages that we can choose from, depending on our needs and goals. Here are some of the most common examples:
- Leadership Team Page: This type of page focuses on introducing the church’s leadership, such as the pastor, elders, deacons, and other key leaders. This page can be particularly useful for churches that want to emphasize their leadership team’s experience and qualifications.
- Staff Directory: A staff directory is a simple, straightforward list of the church’s staff members and their titles. This type of page is useful for larger churches with many staff members, as it provides a way for visitors to quickly find the information they need and people who they can reach out to.
- Bio Page: A bio page provides more in-depth information about each staff member, including their background, experience, and responsibilities. This type of page is useful for smaller churches or for those who want to build more personal connections with their visitors.
- Ministry Team Page: This type of page focuses on introducing the church’s different ministry teams, such as the youth group, music team, or mission team. This page can be useful for churches that want to showcase the breadth of their ministry offerings and to encourage visitors to get involved in the church’s activities.
No matter what type of “Staff” or “Team” page a church chooses, the goal should be to provide comprehensive and accurate information about the church’s leadership and staff and to build a connection with visitors and potential members.
What Should an Engaging and Informative Church Staff Page Include?
There are many elements to consider when we build our “Staff” page. There is no clear format we need to follow because the page is supposed to reflect our community and the way we are ready to connect with potential visitors. Here are 3 ideas that might help you decide what elements will best apply to your situation.
1. Information about each team member
The “Staff” or “Team” page is a great opportunity for the church to showcase the individuals who make up their organization. Including the following information about each team member can help visitors get to know the church’s leaders and staff and build a connection with them:
- Name: Including each team member’s name is a simple way to personalize the page and make it easier for visitors to remember who’s who.
- Title: Including each team member’s title helps visitors understand their role in the church and provides context for their responsibilities.
- Photo: Including a photo of each team member is a great way to make the page more visually appealing and to help visitors put a face to a name.
- Brief Bio: Including a brief bio for each team member provides visitors with more in-depth information about their background, experience, and accomplishments. This can help visitors get to know the team members on a personal level and build a connection with them.
In addition to the information mentioned above, churches may also want to include contact information, such as email addresses or phone numbers, to make it easy for visitors to get in touch with the team members. Including a mix of personal and professional information can help visitors see the church’s leaders and staff as approachable and trustworthy.
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2. Description of the team’s responsibilities and role within the church
In addition to information about each team member, it’s a good practice to also include a description of the team’s responsibilities and role within the church. This information helps visitors understand the church’s structure and how the different teams and individuals work together to achieve the church’s mission. Some key points to include in this description are:
- Overview of Responsibilities: A high-level description of the team’s responsibilities can provide visitors with a clear understanding of what the team does and how it contributes to the church’s overall mission.
- Explanation of Role within the Church: Explain the team’s place within the church’s hierarchy and how they interact with other teams and departments.
- Connection to Church’s Mission: Highlighting how the team’s responsibilities align with the church’s mission and values can help visitors see the team’s work in a larger context and understand its importance.
Providing this information helps visitors understand the church’s organization and how all the different pieces work together. This can increase their trust and confidence in the church, and encourage them to get involved and support the church’s mission.
3. Option to contact the team or individual members
Including a way for visitors to get in touch with the team or individual team members can help increase engagement and build relationships with the church’s community. Some options for contact information include:
- Contact Form: Including a contact form on the “Staff” or “Team” page makes it easy for visitors to send a message directly to the team or individual members. It also helps us control communication.
- Email Addresses: Including email addresses for the team or individual members allows visitors to send a direct email and get in touch with the team.
- Phone Numbers: Including phone numbers for the team or individual members provides another way for visitors to get in touch and can be particularly useful for those who prefer to speak over the phone. Depending on the community it might be enough to only have one phone number provided and allow email or contact forms as the primary communication tools with the staff.
Having a clear and easily accessible way for visitors to get in touch with the team can encourage them to reach out with questions, provide feedback, or get involved in the church. Making it easy for visitors to connect with the church’s leaders and staff can help build relationships and increase engagement within the community.
How to describe your team?
This is quite a common question we get asked often when building websites. Again, there are no clear rules here and a lot depends on what and how you want to highlight to make your staff page engaging and adequately reflect your community. Still, there are some major areas we need to pay attention to when describing our team.
Use clear and concise language
When describing the team and its members on a church website, it’s important to use clear and concise language that is easy for visitors to understand. This includes:
- Avoiding Christian Jargon: Using terms or language that is specific to the church can make it difficult for visitors to understand what the team does and what they should expect from the church.
- Using Simple, Everyday Language: Describing the team and its responsibilities in everyday language can make it easier for visitors to understand and engage with the church’s mission.
- Highlighting Key Information: Making sure that key information such as the team’s responsibilities and the responsibilities of individual team members is highlighted and easy to find can help visitors quickly understand the team’s role within the church.
By using clear and concise language, you can ensure that the information on the “Staff” or “Team” page is easily accessible and understandable to all visitors, regardless of their familiarity with the church. This can help increase engagement and build relationships within the church’s community.
We’ve all been told this, and yet it’s easy to forget: beware of Christian language on your church website. Read every sentence from a visitor’s perspective to ensure clarity and hospitality. Click To Tweet
Create a welcoming tone
Creating a welcoming and inclusive tone on the “Staff” or “Team” page can help visitors feel comfortable and connected with the church. Some ways to achieve this include:
- Using Personal Stories: Including personal stories or testimonials from team members can help visitors get to know the team on a personal level and feel more connected with the church.
- Showcasing Diversity: Highlighting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the team members can help visitors see that the church is welcoming and inclusive of people from all walks of life.
- Using a Friendly Tone: Writing the descriptions of the team and its members in a friendly and approachable tone can help visitors feel at ease and more likely to engage with the church.
A welcoming and inclusive tone on the “Staff” or “Team” page can help visitors feel comfortable and connected with the church and its members, increasing engagement and building relationships within the community.
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Use visuals and photos to bring the team to life
Using visuals and photos on the “Staff” or “Team” page can help bring the team to life and make it easier for visitors to connect with the members. Some ways to make use of visuals include:
- Adding Photos: Including photos of each team member can help visitors put a face to a name and feel more connected with the church. It is usually a great idea to invest in a professional photographer to capture the culture of your team.
- Creating Infographics: Using infographics or other visuals to highlight the team’s responsibilities and role within the church can help visitors understand the team’s role in a clear and concise way.
- Using Video: Including a video introducing the team can help visitors get to know the members on a personal level and feel more connected with the church.
By using visuals and photos, you can bring the “Staff” or “Team” page to life and help visitors connect with the members in a more meaningful way. This can increase engagement and build relationships within the church’s community.
Create a Welcoming Environment with Your Church Staff Page
As you can see a “Staff” or “Team” page is a crucial aspect of a church website, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the church and its members. By making the “Staff” or “Team” page engaging and informative, you can increase engagement and build relationships within the church’s community.
Investing time and effort into creating a well-designed “Staff” or “Team” page can have a positive impact on your church and its members, helping to create a welcoming environment and encouraging new visitors to be a part of your community.
A well-designed “Staff” or “Team” page can help visitors understand the church and its members, increasing engagement and building a stronger community. With the increasing importance of online presence for churches, it’s essential to invest time and effort into creating a high-quality “Staff” or “Team” page.
I’d like to encourage you to prioritize this page in your online presence and make the most of the opportunities it provides. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing page, taking the time to create a well-designed “Staff” or “Team” page can have a positive impact on your church and the local community.
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