Well that time is here again when you can vote for the best (or least bad) websites that self-nominated for the BUGB communications awards.  There are three finalists in each of two categories, one for design and one for content.

The finalists clearly commit a lot of time and energy to maintaining their web presence and all of them seem to be doing some things really well.  Call me old fashioned (Catriona, you're old fashioned) but I prefer the simpler, less whizzy websites that tell me what I need to know.

Things I like...

• Clear listing of service times and a hint on style... I have eclectic tastes and am tolerant of most but it's nice to have an idea what I might find.  Ironically the worst offenders on this are often the smartest sites.
• List of other regular activities in easy access format (no use saying 'Bumble Bees' or 'Grumblers Hour' if no one will have a clue what that means)
• Address, maps, directions ... no real excuse here as links to mapping are easy and how long does it take to add the address and post code?  Phone numbers and other contact details are helpful too.
• Pictures of people who are genuinely part of the church (not stock photos or professionally commissioned stuff) and some clue as to what the place looks like on the outside so I know when I've found it.

Things I don't like...

• Out of date information... 'come to our 2008 nativity service' (I jest not)
• Broken links
• Loads of 'under construction' or 'coming soon' pages - just take them off!
• Too many pages meaning complex navigation to find out what is wanted

Things that are nice but not essential...

• Electronic versions of magazines (PDF is nicest as it doesn't foul up formatting in different software)
• Photo galleries - so long as they are current
• Podcasts and audio of services/sermons
• Links to other 'of interest' sites that give a hint about what this church is like

If a website is a shop window, it needs to be enough to entice people to come inside and find out more... you won't find the supermarkets listing all their products on the door but you will find regular opening times and special offers, maybe there's a clue there?

Anyway, should you wish to vote for the awards the link is here

This morning I treated myself to coffee and cake as a reward for registering with a GP AND a dentist AND an optician all on the same day.  To most this undoubtedly sounds no cause for comment but I have an (irrational) aversion to doctors, a (justified) distrust of dentists and a 'so what' view of opticians.  All of which got me thinking about people's attitudes to church.

My aversion to doctors is, if truth be told, fear of the unknown.  Having lived a healthy to the point of boring life, with my medical records consisting mainly of minor accidents and my last prescription medicine when I was 12, the inside of the surgery is somewhere largely unknown, and hence scary.  Logic tells me it is safe, and I am happy enough to take other sick people to their GPs (one of the odd aspects of being a minister!) but if I can avoid them for myself, then I will.  I am sure this is true for many people with church.  They just don't know what happens behind those closed doors (sermon hint!) and are afraid of the unknown.  They can cope with 'occasional offices' and can even deal with coffee mornings, toddler groups or activities, but  go to church... too scary by far.

By contrast, my distrust of dentists is justified, having had two particularly unfortunate experiences, one in which a healthy tooth was irreparably damaged and one in which I was nearly drowned!  I go to the dentist because it is sensible so to do, but there is always an element of apprehension just in case this time they do kill me!  So it is with churches.  From the person terrified by an encounter with glossolalia, to the person condemned out of hand for their relationship status, to the person embarrassed by standing up at the wrong moment, painful experiences of church are widespread.  Many simply opt out, a few brave ones shop around for another church, and some stick it out because they believe it is 'good for them' or even a 'necessary evil.'  Worrying.

As for opticians, well having seen them regularly for almost forty years they are just part of life.  I don't especially enjoy eyes tests (and especially dislike the pressure tests necessitated by hereditary tendency towards glaucoma) but it is just something that has to be done.  Is church like this for some, for many?  Not unpleasant exactly, but not a joy either; not the high point of the week but something that has to be done and the value of the less appealing parts is something well understood?  Or for those of us regularly at church, is it just a routine activity given as much thought as putting out the rubbish?

Dealing with the routine, the scary and the unknown all in the same day seems to me like cause indeed for coffee and cake.  And makes me a little more empathic with, and sympathetic to, visitors to church who dash off as soon as the service ends.

Of course by Monday, when I'll have been MOTed by the GP's nurse, my mouth contorted by the dentist and my eyes been thoroughly explored by the optician I shall be in need of chocolate as well as a latte...!

Just in case anyone who reads this is in the Glasgow North constituency and interested in attending a hustings, details of the one organised by Glasgow West End ACTS (equivalent to Churches Together in England or Cytun in Wales) and hosted at the Gathering Place can find more details here (or for one in your own area).  It is important to note that the patch covered by our churches does not neatly fit constituency boundaries (I live in another one!) but the issues are the same and it is a good chance to hear what various parties have to say.

On the eve of election we will be meeting to pray - for the nation(s) for the candidates, for the outcome and our part therein, for wisdom, for courage, for integrity... This will be at the C of S located closest to us (where we had our induction tea) and is just as important in our minds.

Important times, so do engage with the process.

This morning I received an email from one of the surviving Christian book retailers.  Whilst the subject line was unhelpful, confusing, I think, an ongoing attack on 'the church as institution' with one on Christianity per se, the body of the message was encouraging.  This retailer is offering you the chance to purchase, through them, Pullman's new novel... along with a Christian 'response' by David Wenham; well done Eden Books.  The book cover title is "Did St Paul get Jesus Right" but if you search for it on Amazon it is listed as "Paul the Scoundrel?  The Apostle and the Divinity of Christ." So, I have now pre-ordered this one.  The overall cost for the two books comes out roughly the same through Amazon or Eden (each discounting one of the two), so maybe it depends who who wish to give your custom to.

In Eden's email is a helpful and encouraging comment from Christian author G P Taylor:

"...what we must do is not fall into the trap of book burning & blockading movie theatres. As Christians it is our duty to be people of integrity and interact boldly with that which could affront our faith."

Ironically, I think the scoundrel St Paul would agree!

So, I pre-ordered, received and read the latest Pullman novel.  It has now begun a journey of being lent to church folk who are interested.

I'm not posting my thoughts on the novel, save to say it is a very, very easy read with equally few surprises.

That said, if it gets people reading, thinking, talking and engaging then the 'scoundrel' has done good!