PREVIEW
Preparing for a new digital chapter Bethany Gibson brings us up to date with progress on a new Army website
W
E are entering the final stages of building a new territorial website, salvationist.org.uk, which will be the go-to digital space for people linked to The Salvation Army. We are busy uploading stories, devotions and resources, plus information about events and learning opportunities. The plan is to launch the website later this spring. There are lots of checks that need to be done before the launch to make sure the website is compliant and working in the way we expect it to. We will continue to keep you updated.
BE READY TO SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK The launch of salvationist.org.uk will be the beginning of a new digital chapter for our territory. To start with, our aim is to bring together content that already exists for Salvationists and make it easier for people to find and discover opportunities to get involved in mission. Once the website is up and running, we want to be in dialogue with current and potential members of The Salvation Army to shape its future. We want to continually listen and move forward – listen to each other and to the prompting of the Spirit to see how this new resource can help build God’s Kingdom. This means that when you visit the website, we want you to be ready to share your feedback – to tell us what
you want to see more of, and to let us know how your experience could be improved and how we could make the website more engaging, accessible and inclusive. There will be several ways you will be able to do this, so watch this space. In addition to providing opportunities for any website user to give feedback, we have formed a user feedback group. During December and January we invited people to apply to be part of a group that would meet once a quarter to share ideas for content and user experience. Membership of the group will change each year and we are really pleased that the first year will bring together a diverse group. It includes people of different ages, people from different local contexts and countries in the territory, people with different ethnicities and people with lived experience of disability. It also includes those with various connections to The Salvation Army, such as officers, soldiers, adherents, attendees and volunteers. PRAY FOR THE WEBSITE At times, the internet can overwhelm us with bad news. My prayer is that this website will be a source of good news – the good news of Jesus. In Luke 4:18 Jesus says: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor’ (New Living Translation). As I reflect on the nature of Jesus and his good news, I am struck by the fact that this good news is for everyone – all are welcome. It is also radical – the message is often surprising and unexpected. And it transforms – people are changed when they encounter God.
Three members of the newly formed feedback group share why they were eager to get involved: RAJ GILL Guildford ‘We live in a multicultural society. It is important that people see themselves reflected in The Salvation Army or else we will not be as effective as we can be in our social and spiritual mission. Diversity on our website and in publications is an essential part of this.’ LAUREN O’CONNOR Birmingham Citadel ‘I am in my final year of studying commercial photography at university and I am also involved in creating digital content for my corps. I believe in creating innovative content that appeals to the younger generation so that it can bring them closer to God and The Salvation Army.’ PHILIP PENTLAND Belfast Sydenham ‘I am passionate about the use of digital channels and websites by the Army to bring others to faith in Jesus and to help promote all aspects of the Movement.’
Please remember salvationist.org.uk in your prayers: O Pray that the website will be a space where people can encounter the inclusive, radical and transforming good news of Jesus O Pray that final preparations for the launch will go smoothly O Pray that God will guide us as we seek his will for the website
BETHANY IS ONLINE CONTENT EDITOR, THQ