Web Development

This is a collection of various links and notes to assist with updating the websites for Faith and Providence Presbyterian.

Faith Presbyterian "Joomla" Resources

Joomla has far fewer themes to choose from than it used to.  It seems that most churches have moved to using Wordpress.  You don't need to worry about having a "Giving" option as part of the theme, because it seems the way to go would be to use the "Tith.ly" plugin (whether on Joomla or on Wordpress), which should be very easy to add. The following these seem to be possible options:

• (Demo) Joo Themes Church Template - first template Mary found.  Essentially free.  Does not have "Online Giving" module; very different layout.  Cost = free
• (Demo) Themeforest "Lighthouse" Theme - seems to be a pretty decent theme, with everything needed except "Online Giving" module.  Cost = $58.
• (Demo) "Believe" from JoomLead - seems to do well with photos, large picture dominates front pg,, includes PayPal Donate form, lots of functionality items (although it would take work), Cost = $39 
• (Demo) OT Church Template - A little more "traditional" than others (closest to current morfaith.org); Cost = $49; not as much functionality; basic events listing; no donation module

Other Options

1. ChurchThemes.com - with this route we would use WordPress, but the following are "pros" for going this direction:
   1. Good selection of themes.  Although there are 4 themes to choose from, the "Saved Theme" (demo) seems to be the best.
   2. Easier to produce a site.  They provide a full set of guides & videos to walk you through building a site.  I think this would make it easier, although there would still be some amount of learning involved.  You would still host the site on DreamHost, using the WordPress install that I did a while back (ns.morfaith.org).
   3. Features.  Provides all the needed features.  Can either use their sermon manager, or Use the Tith.ly option for giving.
   4. Cost.  This is the primary drawback - it has a recurring cost.  Probably would need to go with the $200/year option.
2. morfaith.reformed.media - this is a site I set-up through "reformed.media" based upon their "Redeemer" theme.  We can configure it as needed.  I like the theme - it's simple, looks nice, and has everything needed.
   1. Easy administration.  The site uses WordPress, but they make it very easy to use.  Take a look at the admin interface for the site I set up (I'll text username & password)
   2. Features.  Everything is provided, and pretty much ready to go out of the box.  Not sure yet just how easy it is to update, but appears easy.  It has a sermon manager that seems pretty functional, although you'll still probably want to use SermonAudio.  They use Tith.ly for giving functionality.
   3. Support.  I'm guessing they would probably be pretty good with support - I already had someone send me a personal email about the site.
   4. Cost.  Again, this is the main drawback.  It would be an ongoing $35 per month.
3. WordPress developer in Morganton - I definitely think this option is worth checking into.  I do think WordPress is the right direction to go, and if you know what you're looking for (could even configure the "reformed.media" site and point them to that), you could tell the developer what they need to produce.  This way, you'd pay the cost one-time up front (probably $1,000 to $1,500??), and then would not have to pay an ongoing fee except for SermonAudio and the normal $100/yr for DreamHost.  If you can find the right person, this is probably the way to go.

Faith Presbyterian "Wordpress" Resources

• ns.morfaith.org - this is a "Wordpress template" set up as a subdomain at the morfaith.org web host.  If the decision is made to move forward with this, the domain morfaith.org can be transferred over once this site has been fixed up.
• ns.morfaith.org/wp-admin/ - the Admin Login.  Go here to make changes / updates to the website
  • Back end - Logging in takes you to the "back end" admin area, from which you can make updates to the site
  • Admin menus - After logging in, when you go to the front end, you'll notice "admin menus" at the top of all pages - very helpful!
• "My Religion" theme - the particular Wordpress "theme" used to create the site.
  • theme documentation - some may be helpful.  Ignore everything down to "Appearance Settings" (the first part is about installation).
• How-to Update Site - see directions on changing images in slider on home page, etc.

Other Documentation & Helpful Resources

• Wordpress Administration - official admin documentation for administering & maintaining Wordpress sites - should be very helpful.
• Cornerstone OPC - example of a simple site that is well done
• Bethel Presbyterian - another example of a reformed church that is pretty well done.  They use SermonAudio.com for sermon management.