church websites

[edie19]

I know I'll get some good, sound responses about this.

A few months ago I was looking at church websites. Since my church was revising their site I thought it would be a good idea to see what other churches are doing in that regard.

In my searching I found this site for a church in the Toledo area. It's a seeker sensitive church and I believe they're affiliated with Willow Creek (although I can't swear to that). Their home page is what one would expect - location, service times - very general information. They have the obligatory site map - so I started checking out the different information. Under the heading "Who we are" there is a sub-heading - meet our pastors.

Now, I want you folks to experience this for yourself - I don't want to sway your opinion ahead of time. So - click on the site and follow the links, I'd love your opinions.

http://www.discoverthepoint.org/

Looking forward to your thoughts.

edie

 

[JJB]

rotfl!

 

[ClementofRome]

I could have swore that Brad's name was John!!! Does Comedy Central know that John is moonllighting as a Pastor?

 

[Erinwilcox]

Wow! I love that last picture shown! What guy! #2 needs to see a fashion consultant.

 

[Jon_]

I know I'll get some good, sound responses about this.

A few months ago I was looking at church websites. Since my church was revising their site I thought it would be a good idea to see what other churches are doing in that regard.

In my searching I found this site for a church in the Toledo area. It's a seeker sensitive church and I believe they're affiliated with Willow Creek (although I can't swear to that). Their home page is what one would expect - location, service times - very general information. They have the obligatory site map - so I started checking out the different information. Under the heading "Who we are" there is a sub-heading - meet our pastors.

Now, I want you folks to experience this for yourself - I don't want to sway your opinion ahead of time. So - click on the site and follow the links, I'd love your opinions.

http://www.discoverthepoint.org/

Looking forward to your thoughts.

edie

It's Jon Stewart!!!

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[BBAS 64]

Wow!!

 

[Defcon]

I guess the computer nerd in me is wondering if this site has been hijacked or if that is what the pastor actually looks like. I find it hard to believe that if it is a prank someone hasn't caught it. There are interesting pieces to this mystery-

Case for legitimacy - it appears everything else is intact (their statement of beliefs; realistic address; etc.)

Case for illegitimacy - Is it that hard to get a picture that actually shows who your worship pastor is? Seems a little odd all we get of him is an outline and this occurs on the same page as John Stewart and what appears to be a legit picture of their other pastor.

Personally, I think someone who has access to the church's web content is having a little fun. Otherwise, a cloning investigation should commence immediately as it appears it didn't stop with sheep.

 

[edie19]

I admit to being a more than a little surprised - I expected a slightly different response. Maybe its my age, but I found the "pastor's pictures" more than a little inappropriate for a couple of reasons.

1. the purpose of a website is to inform - sadly I can see some folks wandering around the church looking for Jon Stewart or Michael Stipe. But more importantly

2. even if you accept the idea that the the idea of fake pictures are funny - why choose these men? Neither are remotely examples of Christianity. Jon Stewart routinely criticizes Christians on his t.v. show. Michael Stipe, while some would say is muscially gifted, is hardly a supporter of Christianity. He openly admits to having sexual relationships with men - oh boy, I want my son or grandsons using him for a role model. Both men routinely use the "f" and/or "s" word as part of their regular conversation.

Like I said - I guess I'm just old.

 

[Defcon]

I admit to being a more than a little surprised - I expected a slightly different response. Maybe its my age, but I found the "pastor's pictures" more than a little inappropriate for a couple of reasons.

1. the purpose of a website is to inform - sadly I can see some folks wandering around the church looking for Jon Stewart or Michael Stipe. But more importantly

2. even if you accept the idea that the the idea of fake pictures are funny - why choose these men? Neither are remotely examples of Christianity. Jon Stewart routinely criticizes Christians on his t.v. show. Michael Stipe, while some would say is muscially gifted, is hardly a supporter of Christianity. He openly admits to having sexual relationships with men - oh boy, I want my son or grandsons using him for a role model. Both men routinely use the "f" and/or "s" word as part of their regular conversation.

Like I said - I guess I'm just old.

Well, I'm a little uneducated apparently- I didn't realize that the other guy was a celebrity Hence my skepticism. After knowing for sure that this is a joke, I agree that it is in poor taste. The church needs to review who has access to their website.

 

[edie19]

I guess the computer nerd in me is wondering if this site has been hijacked or if that is what the pastor actually looks like. I find it hard to believe that if it is a prank someone hasn't caught it. There are interesting pieces to this mystery-

Case for legitimacy - it appears everything else is intact (their statement of beliefs; realistic address; etc.)

Case for illegitimacy - Is it that hard to get a picture that actually shows who your worship pastor is? Seems a little odd all we get of him is an outline and this occurs on the same page as John Stewart and what appears to be a legit picture of their other pastor.

Personally, I think someone who has access to the church's web content is having a little fun. Otherwise, a cloning investigation should commence immediately as it appears it didn't stop with sheep.

The site has not been hijacked, I'm pretty sure I originally found their web address in the phone book. I have met one of the pastors - actually, a former pastor at the church (not sure why he left or where he is now). During the course of our conversation I commented on their pastor pictures - he laughed and said they were doing it to be funny. At the time, the pastor I met was represented pictorally by Troy Gentry (part of the country rock duo Montgomery Gentry for those of you unfamiliar with country music).

ps - the other picture is Michael Stipe of R.E.M. (remember the song "Losing My Religion"?) My daughter-in-law tells me the picture of the worship pastor is a member of Coldplay (I wouldn't recognize him).

 

[Defcon]

The site has not been hijacked, I'm pretty sure I originally found their web address in the phone book. I have met one of the pastors - actually, a former pastor at the church (not sure why he left or where he is now). During the course of our conversation I commented on their pastor pictures - he laughed and said they were doing it to be funny. At the time, the pastor I met was represented pictorally by Troy Gentry (part of the country rock duo Montgomery Gentry for those of you unfamiliar with country music).

ps - the other picture is Michael Stipe of R.E.M. (remember the song "Losing My Religion"?) My daughter-in-law tells me the picture of the worship pastor is a member of Coldplay (I wouldn't recognize him).

Well, that's obviously some interesting information. I mean, if you wanted to be funny, there are definitely some folks that are a little less controversial. Knowing the whole story - this is definitely in poor taste.

 

[edie19]

Well, that's obviously some interesting information. I mean, if you wanted to be funny, there are definitely some folks that are a little less controversial. Knowing the whole story - this is definitely in poor taste.

thank you

 

[JJB]

I admit to being a more than a little surprised - I expected a slightly different response. Maybe its my age, but I found the "pastor's pictures" more than a little inappropriate for a couple of reasons.

1. the purpose of a website is to inform - sadly I can see some folks wandering around the church looking for Jon Stewart or Michael Stipe. But more importantly

2. even if you accept the idea that the the idea of fake pictures are funny - why choose these men? Neither are remotely examples of Christianity. Jon Stewart routinely criticizes Christians on his t.v. show. Michael Stipe, while some would say is muscially gifted, is hardly a supporter of Christianity. He openly admits to having sexual relationships with men - oh boy, I want my son or grandsons using him for a role model. Both men routinely use the "f" and/or "s" word as part of their regular conversation.

Like I said - I guess I'm just old.

I only recognized Jon Stewart, and since I don't watch him on tv i'm unfamiliar with his antics. Showing my own age . Celebrities are pretty unimportant to me, but I can recognize some of them by their faces. Now I understand the concerns. Context, context, context.

 

[Erinwilcox]

Well, I'm a little uneducated apparently- I didn't realize that the other guy was a celebrity Hence my skepticism. After knowing for sure that this is a joke, I agree that it is in poor taste. The church needs to review who has access to their website.

Yeah, me too. I guess my age shows when I say that I didn't recognize any of them.

 

[JJB]

Apparently, recognizing celebs has nothing to do with age -- rather it has to do with one's hip-ness. Yo dude!

 

[theFijian]

I saw a church website once which posted baby pictures of the elders. I knew some of the guys so it made for very amusing viewing!

 

[moretap]

I'm just about as confused by that Mogwai song, picture of John Peel and something about winning an ipod as I am about the Jon Stewart, Michael Stipe and Chris Martin pictures.

 

[edie19]

Apparently, recognizing celebs has nothing to do with age -- rather it has to do with one's hip-ness. Yo dude!

Well - my daughter-in-law told me about Michael Stipe and the Coldplay person. I recognized Jon Stewart - but didn't remember his name (I've never watched his show).

Having young adults for children is helpful in these times of need. My kids would tell you, the last thing I am is "hip" (although I do have hips).

 

[theFijian]

I'm just about as confused by that Mogwai song, picture of John Peel and something about winning an ipod as I am about the Jon Stewart, Michael Stipe and Chris Martin pictures.

Errr...what?

 

[kingmaker]

Guys/Gals,

I noticed you were wondering about our pastors pics at discoverthepoint.org. It would have been much easier just to ask us...but I am sure not as much fun to spend your time debating about??