User Contributed Content on Church Sites | Innovating Tomorrow

One of the biggest hot button issues surrounding church websites is comments, forums, and other places users can contribute right to the website. The two camps of thought on this are to have open and free contribution or for all content to come from the church office. Both sides of this debate have some very strong points. To understand where we are going we need to understand both camps of thought. To get to where we're going we need a solution that takes into account people, isn't about a corporate or Facebook solution, and effectively works for the mission of the church.

My interest in this comes from some recent comments in the Drupal Churches group and comments on over at the Geeks and God podcast. Before we get to far into this conversation we need a plan of action and a way that works for everyone.

The Fake Middle Ground

Some sites have tried to come to a middle ground by putting a moderator system in place for comments and limiting what get's posted. This is a way to play it safe while we as a church figure out how to do this well. This isn't a final solution.

The Side Against User Contributions

The side against user contributions brings a cautious point of view to the table. What happens when someone posts something slanderous? What happens when tough questions get posted in the comments? Who will be around to answer them? Who will be there to help guide those people in their spiritual journey? How will the church be protected from people who try to hurt the church through this system?

These are good questions that we need to have an answer for. And, the answers to these questions are not just for the church leaders. They are answers of implementation. They are answers that will pave the way the church does the mission of the church through systems like this.

Free Contributions

On the flip side we have those who want open contributing on church sites. They want to have the conversation of faith on the Internet. They want to connect in this network of people in a way that grows faith. It's a worthy mission and a great opportunity to do just that. Over 70% of Americans are on the Internet. Millions of Google searches happen every day on issues of faith. People are looking for answers. They are searching for God. This is a way to have that conversation.

This is direction we are headed in. But, we can't leave things completely unattended. We need to answer the questions of those who are taking the cautious path.

Some Implementation Thoughts

Let's start looking at some answers:

Policies. We think of them as something that goes along with corporations. I always thought of them as stuffy and boring. But, they offer a certain amount of protection. You can say that crude content isn't acceptable in a policy and then take it down. Churches and the law likes to see these in policies. Policies are a start.

People. When church has forums, comments, and other user contributed content there needs to be people who will be there to continue that conversation. To answer questions. To pull down bad content. People who know how to talk to others, who aren't trying to argue faith, and know how to guide people to answers. These people need to be volunteers in the church and not the church staff. They are already overwhelmed.

A Plan. Just enabling user contributions on a site isn't enough. This is what the people who are against the contributions are afraid of. So, we need to have plans that deal with enabling the contributions, reassuring church leadership, developing good policies, and raising up the 'regulars' at your site to handle those people who come through with real questions. Even if those people are few and far between.

This is just a start and may not be the best way. But, I think it takes into consideration some of the problems that come up when we try to do this well.