Internet and Email Services
There are many Internet Service Providers and many bundle their services with other commonly used services like telephone and cable. Where possible, a local church should invest in high-speed Internet access. It is possible that a local church might not be able to get Internet access or only have dial-up available in their area. The accessibility and quality of the connection will often determine the extent to which a church can use electronic communication and develop a dynamic Web ministry. Some public libraries offer free Internet access and computer use. This is an option for those churches with little to no budget, but it will make it more challenging to implement and maintain a dynamic Web ministry. Popular Internet Service Providers include: With a computer and Internet connection, you’re ready to communicate in cyberspace as soon as you get an email address. For the church on a very limited budget, there are places you can go to get a free email account. These are fine as long as the address is something that relates to the church and its ministries versus an individual. For example, you would want an email address that says “firstumcnashville@gmail.com” or something generic like that to associate it with the church. Free Email Service Providers include: Most Internet Service Providers will supply a number of email addresses with your service, so you can create several through this service, such as “firstumcnashville@earthlink.net” if you are using Earthlink as your Internet Service Provider. Based upon the decisions you make about website design and hosting services, you may get email addresses in your plan. These addresses would then be tied to your domain name or website address. See the Design and Hosting Options section for more information about these services. In the best possible worlds, it is preferable to create email addresses that the church owns and operators for its ministries so that when individuals leave or change roles at the church, you do not have to change the email addresses. For example, it would be better to have an “office@firstumcnashville.org” then the name of the person staffing the office. In this way, when the person leaves, the address is still good since it’s not tied to a particular person’s name. Likewise, it is much easier for people to remember the generic email address associated with the church ministry or function. _______________ Suggested services are for example only. United Methodist Communications neither endorses or guarantees the reliability or terms of use and services for these suggestions nor does it benefit in any way from listing the service as an example or by subsequent use of a third party directed from this site. |
