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engaged in effective

Christian Ministry
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Post Your Newsletter to Your Church Web Site

Your church web ministries team leader (aka "webmaster") and the person(s) responsible for publishing your church newsletter collaborate to post the Newsletter to the church's web site.

The one who actually posts the Newsletter will know the technical "how-tos." Here are issues that need to be considered and acted upon. Software is available to convert your MS Publisher, InDesign, Quark, Word, or Word Perfect file into PDF.

Safety and Privacy

(Fuller explanations given in "Safety and Privacy" page. Remember. This is going out to the whole world!)

• No image with name, no solitary image even without name, of a child (or minor of any age) should be included in the Newsletter.

• All adult persons who are pictured in the Newsletter with names given (other than ministerial staff) need to have signed a "release" to give you permission for such. Don't assume you have "implicit permission" to do so.

• Do not publish the home phone, address, or e-mail of employess or pastoral staff.

• **Never publish a Church Directory in any form

• Churches need to write, officially adopt, and publish a "Privacy Policy"

• Make available and clear the process to either subscribe or unsubscribe (opt out) of your e-mail newsletter subscription list)

** This is the considered recommendation of the Staff of the Great Rivers Region following research into trends and reflections on experiences of churches and individuals.

Technical Considerations

• As in all web site postings, plan out the structure. Do not just upload.
  • Create a separate folder for the Newsletters
  • Design a naming plan to help editor and users
  • Design and post a master index page listing all the pdfs. (include directions to subscribe or request to be dropped from the subscription list

• Keep the PDF small. The issues confronted with size of file still exist. Even when the PDF file of the Newsletter is posted, the user still needs to download the file. Connection speed still matters.

• Place a link to the download of the Acrobat Reader to help those who may not have this software on their computer, to be able to have quick access to the download. Without this on their computer, they will not be able to take advantage of your posting.

• Put a direct link to the latest issue on the church's home page

• Use regular (8 1/2" by 11") paper. Most people do not have 14" paper in their homes to use should you publish in 14" format.

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