Thread topic: Web Designer in Bellingham, WA

Beth G. answered: AND SCHOOLS!

Doline K. answered: ‪#‎PREACH‬!!!

Stewart R. answered: Oh dear badness... This is so true... Maybe in another 200 years people will be saying.. The majority of sda churches need a better logo animation

Rick J. answered: I would love to see the young artists in our church invest themselves into the churches they find meaning and value in by contributing their time and talents. Whether it's music, web/ graphic design or teaching Sabbath School, the Body needs it's parts all functioning and contributing to fully meet our great commissioning. It's nice to be paid for your work, but it's not always practical and feasible.

Tyler R. answered: Yeah, why don't all artists work for free? Why are those involved with the arts so selfish always asking to be paid for their work? It's so frustrating!

Rick J. answered: Don't misunderstand me... I'm not saying you "shouldn't" be paid for good work. It's just not always possible. I volunteered at least 15 hours this past week at my church to plan, practice, prepare and lead worship. I wish I was paid for my time and talents but my church can't afford to do that. I find great joy in giving what I have back to God through the local church.

Rick J. answered: Also, back to your point Lucas... More churches should at least set up with a company like cloversites.com ($1,000 start up and $20 a month) or even GoDaddy website builder ($1 a month right now, usually only $6 a month). I use GoDaddy and it's super easy to set up and maintain and looks pretty legit IMO. www. rickandersonworship.com

Kevin W. answered: I believe everyone that has a gift should use it to the glory of God. When God gives us talents or gifts, we should use it. If the church needs it, you should not hide it... you should utilize it. Like the parable of the talents... those that refuse to use their talents (not just money) for God will be where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth." I didn't say this. Jesus did. Matthew 25:14-30.

Kevin W. answered: I do our church website and Alive's website for free and will be doing another one soon for our school. Not only do I build the church site, I train a couple of people to create content. The trick is that you have to build a site within the ability to support the content. I have been fortunate to be part of a $300K web development process with my last job. Some churches want the same type of website, but the reality is the simpler the better. It helps for anyone that is thinking about building one for their church to do a scope first and plan out the needs vs. ability to support. Pastors and members need to recognize that the person building it is not an employee, but a volunteer. Some church pastors and members don't understand how much time it really takes to build a site and support it and my guess is that anyone who has been through that process before building a site for their church wants to help their new church with one, but has been bitten by bad experiences. I refused to build the school site because the last time I tried, I could never get info from anyone. The one they currently have has tons of info on it that they never keep up with. So I laid out the issues and they have given me full range on what should be done. My advice to graphic designers building a site for a church is to set your boundaries first so that there is not a false expectation from the church. Some people are like "We need a website. [Person A], can you build us one?" and then nothing happens because not all parties are committed to the process and that gets discouraging for anyone trying to build a site. Imagine a worship leader asking for a guitarist to play for a service and the worship leader never shows up. That's how it feels. ‪#‎sorrythatismysoapbox‬