Web Design By The Preacher
Christian Century is considering picking up my latest Foy Davis story. I’ll know by tomorrow. If so, part one and two will be online there, perhaps on Monday. If not, part two will be online here by Monday.
In 1994 I read about something called “The Internet” in a Doonesbury cartoon. I started calling around, looking for access, and finally got online in January of 1995. I put the first Covenant Baptist Church website online a couple of months later.
It was primitive, as were all websites back then. Just information and links - mainly text. I also began compiling a list of links to spiritual resources, and for a time my list drew a lot of traffic.
I kept tinkering with html, working my way out of notepad and into a program called "Hot Dog," then moving on to FrontPage sometime in 1997. I know you anti-Microsoft purists cringe at that, but if you plan to design websites for a living, you just don’t have time to code things by hand anymore. At least I don’t. FrontPage is wonderful design platform as long as you aren’t trying to use the wizards, templates, or themes.
At this same time I was coming to understand that our quirky church was going to be big on authenticity, but not so big on financial resources. If I could find another way to make money, I could be the pastor of this cool church and at the same time, the church wouldn't have the burden of trying to support a family of five.
In 1996 I began a web design and hosting company with a friend of mine. After we started it, he decided not to be involved, so I had to go it alone. I called my little business, “The Aspen Group” because we thought of it while we were in Colorado.
The business plan was simple. Don’t go into debt. Don’t be in a hurry. Design simple and attractive websites, and give good customer service. I’ve always had a group of clients who appreciate someone honest who can be reached easily by phone. I have also learned over time that it’s best to avoid clients with complex needs.
It’s called “bi-vocational ministry,” and I’ve been doing just that for the last eight years or so. If the apostle Paul was willing to make tents, I'm certainly not too important to design websites. I have no desire to go to a church that could pay more money, but would demand more of me. I like my little niche in the world.
If you want to see some of the websites I’ve designed, click here.
Writing has complicated things, as you can imagine. I’ve taken a voluntary reduction in pay from the Aspen Group and taken a partner, who happens to be the same guy who helped me come up with the idea back in 1996. Next week Amy Main is going to start answering our email and dealing with communication. Hopefully this is going to give me more time to write. We’ll see how it works.
I’m a guy trying to make his way in this world. Web design makes that possible, so I’m grateful that it has been there for me.
gordon
8:34:57 PM 
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