I think at the time you wrote this article (2007) there really weren’t a lot of options out there for churches to have an affordable method of gaining a new website. Most of the companies back them wanted to charge an arm and a leg to churches for even a basic website so I can see your logic in trying to utilize Word Press or a Wiki.

Of course the natural arguement for those solutions, even back then, is assuming that someone there at the church had the technical knowledge to be able to even set one up! I have personally worked in a lot of churches over the years and I can assure that most church volunteers would not be able to handle it.

That is in part the reason why I started MultipliCMS.com (www.multipliCMS.com). Since I have been a Youth Pastor, Worship Leader, Music Minister and now studying to become a Pastor one day, then I know first hand the needs of a church from the inside. I wanted to create an online tool that was easiest enough for even the most novice computer user while still providing a dynamic experience for the end user that happened to come by the church website. Simple to use should never mean having to settle for just a blog or a wiki.

We now have a brand new package (it’s not even on our website yet) for starter churches or churches that just happen to be on a budget. It’s called our RightNow package and it runs just $499. If anyone would like to learn more about how your church can get this deal please send us an email to support@multiplicms.com and one of our ministry advisors will contact you shortly!

There isn’t a more affordable solution for churches on the web and we made it that way because our heart is to serve the body of Christ…not take advantage of it!

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More imporantly, I echo the opinion stated earlier where it would be something good for members, but not as an outreach tool. Those not comfortable with church look for authoritative views on subjects related to church and have a high dose of skepticism about other believers telling/knowing the truth.

If your content is well organized yet relatively static then a simple service such as WikiSpaces may be all the hosting and content management software your church, charity, community and/or classroom ever needs….

That said, I think the sword cuts the other way, that a blog and/or wiki might be the right hammer to drive the nail.

For example, you raise the issue of the unchurched – how is content delivered by a Wiki any better or worse than delivered by a Blog on their end?

The real issue here is on the needs and abilities and resources available to those sending the message.

PS – Glad you’re back “on the grid,” Dean.