My overall aim (1/2/10) for my research is:

How do English Christian churches use websites and other online tools to communicate theological, community and practical information to, and within, their congregations and the wider public?

Research questions

  1. To what extent have English Christian churches established a distinct individual web presence?
  2. To what extent do churches and church leaders use email, websites and social media tools to find and publish information?
  3. To what extent have traditional notions of hierarchy and authority been affected by online sources of information and communication?

2. The aims and objectives, latest revision as at November 2011

Aims and objectives

  1. [This study aims] to establish the extent and purpose for which English churches are using websites and collaborative (Web 2.0) online tools..

Related objectives are to:

  1. Establish a baseline measure of the number of parishes or churches in England with a purpose-built website. (A1)
  2. Investigate key aspects of website production and publication and to find out whether: : (A2)

2.1.            Websites are part of a planned information and communication strategy (interview)

2.2.            Content is originated on a church-by-church basis or produced centrally by a third party and syndicated (CA)

2.3.            Churches use interactive tools including allowing user-generated content (CA, interview)

2.4.            Churches place restrictions on who has authority to publish information  (interview)

2.5.            Any differentiation is made between church members and the wider community as audiences for local church websites (CA, interview)

2.6.            There are variations in the choice of different information topics across denominations (CA)

2.7.            Churches use hyperlinks to locate themselves in local, national or global online communities(CA, interview)


  1. [A further aim is] to explore church leaders’ adoption and perceptions of online tools as information and communication media in relation to their ministry duties and everyday life

Objectives are to:

  1. Explore experiences of challenges to authority led or encouraged by online media (interview) (B1)
  2. Explore the use of social media by churches and their leaders as a tool for sharing information(B2) (interview)