en Español       Congregations       Links 

CONGREGATION WEBSITE FAQS

Note: these website packages are available only to congregations in the Apostolic Christian Church of America.

How do we get started?

Please complete our contact form and we'll get in touch with you to answer any additional questions and, if ready, schedule your site setup.


Can we make changes to our site or do we need to go though a central webmaster for that?

Once your site is setup, you will be given full Administrator rights. You can add or delete pages, move pages, add photos, edit text, etc. About the only things you cannot do is 1.) modify the underlying site code, 2.) add new site users. Contact Onward Media and they will add any additional site editors you need.


I really like how the Goodfield, Morton,  etc. site functions or looks, but I don't want it to include __________ on our site, like they have done.

You don't need to. Nearly every content area of the site is customizable. Each website that has been built with this package shows how that congregation chose to use their website (and there will likely be many similarities from congregation to congregation) but not everything shown will necessarily apply to your particular congregation.


What if I totally mess up my website when editing things?

Our web system allows you to make backups and easily roll back to a previously saved state, so there is no need to fear.


Will I need to be a techie to work on our site?

No. We specifically chose a website content management system (CMS) that is simple to use. If you can use a word processor, you will be comfortable editing existing content. If you are moderately computer savvy, you should easily be able to make more significant changes or additions.


Below is a general overview of the site editor:

I am a techie and want to be able to do advanced things on the site. Will I be able to?

Maybe. This website system is intended to fit the basic needs of most congregations and be simple to use. While it does offer considerable flexibility, such as the ability to embed custom code into pages, if your site has specific needs for custom or advanced functionality, it may not be the best choice. Contact us to discuss your needs and the system capabilities.


How long will it take to get a site up?

That depends on two things: your content and Onward Media's staff workload. It often takes churches a great deal of time to collect or create all the necessary information for a website (photos, files, text) so more than likely we’ll be waiting on you rather than the other way around. Assuming you had everything ready to go, expect a two—four week turnaround for site setup.


Will I need to register a URL for our site?

Yes. If you do not already have one, find a site registrar (such as Network Solutions , Register , Name Cheap , etc.) and purchase a domain. (Be aware that registrars typically try to upsell you on lots of extra services. All you need is the domain. If you are concerned about your contact information being public, you will want to opt for their private registration / ID protection feature.) 


Many congregations have chosen this format: www.yourlocationacchurch.org. Replace “yourlocation” with the town your congregation is know by within the brotherhood. For example, www.goodfieldacchurch.org


We already have a URL. Can we use it with the new site?

Yes. Once your new site is up and running, your URL can be directed to it. You will need to have access to your domain control panel on your domain registrar’s website to do that. 


Will our site look good on a smartphone and tablet?

Yes. The site design template is responsive, meaning it automatically adjusts to work optimally based on the screen size of the viewer’s device.


Can I restrict access to certain pages on the website?

Yes. You can password protect pages. This is best for keeping out the casual visitor but it is not highly secure. And content on your password protected pages can be indexed by search engines. For these reasons, if you have highly sensitive information, we recommend using a secure file storage service, like Box, OneDrive, etc. instead of storing files on this site's backend.


Would we be locked into any contract term?

There are no contracts. You can cancel at any time.


Who do we pay for the site and how?

Billing and payments are administered through Onward Media's staff at the AC Bookstore. Billing is done semi-annually and sent to your church treasurer.


How is support handled?

First line support is an extensive built-in Support Center with helpful articles on every aspect of maintaining your site. If that doesn't answer your question, contact Onward Media's Digital Director. If he can't answer your question, he will open a ticket with the site platform's Tech Support, which is very responsive.


I have a question that wasn't addressed here. How do I get an answer? 

Please submit your question via our contact form and we'll respond promptly. 


Share by: