Dyffryn Clwyd Deanery, N Wales: Case Study - 08.07.10

Author of Study: The Reverend John Barden Davies, Area Dean, Dyffryn Cwlyd Deanery - 1995-2010

Website Address: www.dyffrynclwyd.org.uk

Developing a website with the Church Website Design Project worked very well from the start. We already had a “home made” website for the Deanery which had been running for about three years. As time went on and the standard of websites generally improved, our site began to look somewhat “tired” and unprofessional. 

It needed a face lift at the very least, or maybe even a new site.  It was at this point that I contacted the Church Website Design Project. Daniel came to speak to our Deanery Conference and soon we had a new web site up and running.

Our objectives were to have a site of professional standard to convey information about the fourteen churches in the deanery and to improve communication between the churches and between church and community, also to look for ways in which a web site can be an evangelistic tool. 

The churches involved are very rural and our task was to have a page for each church in Welsh and in English as well as the home page with links. This was some task but it was achieved in a short time. The real success story of our work with the Church Website Design Project is measured in global terms. The site has reached out to people as far away as China who have been reading the sermons. Many more people read the sermons on the website than listen to them in church.  Its success which has an even fuller potential to reach more and more people is what I believe our Lord would have us do when he tells us “Preach the Gospel to every creature”

Our churches contain a high percentage of elderly people who do not have access to the internet so they were not in a position to comment about the changes that were made, however those who do have access quickly realised the value of the site as somewhere to have access to up to date information about church life.   For those who missed church on any Sunday, they could read the sermon on the site.  From the beginning I was very impressed with the site and have always seen the potential for growth.

In an age where communication can be impersonal, it was a refreshing change to have the person to person approach which Daniel offers. The Church Website Design Project provides a highly professional service with a personal approach. I would recommend them as Daniel is very much aware that every church is different and has different needs. He has that gift of designing a  unique site for each church.

After a slow start, which is to be expected in a rural area, the site began to grow and soon people from all over the world were accessing it.  As time went on, the website became the principal initial contact between the church and people in the community enquiring about information or wanting to arrange baptisms and weddings. 

The initial work in compiling the information has been worthwhile and Church Web Site Design Project has produced an attractive format.  It is important that people who visit the site are impressed at first sight and I believe this happens with this site.

In the short term the speedy availability of up to date information on our churches. In the long term, the increasing way in which the website is becoming a major means of communication between the church and the community and beyond.

Although I was able to do some updating myself,  Daniel has always been at hand to provide website management and the technological skills needed to keep the site up to date and professional.  Also his suggestions for improvement of the site have always been appreciated.

Without the support of the Church Website Design Project, the site would never have even got off the ground. It is encouraging to deal with a professional group that has experience and understanding of the needs and problems of churches.

Rev’d John Barden Davies – Area Dean, Dyffryn Clwyd Deanery (1993-2010)

E-mail: info@churchwebsitedesign.org.uk