Yep. Porn. You read it right.
Every church website needs a porn page – a page dedicated to pornography.
A couple of years ago, I added a page about porn (yep, gracehillschurch.com/PORN) to our church’s website and began to optimize it for search engine results.
Now, hundreds of people have found that page while searching for things like “arkansas porn” and “northwest porn” and various other related terms. Some have even found it while looking for “help with porn addiction.”
Here’s a screenshot (don’t worry, it’s safe for work).
Visit the Grace Hills Porn Page
What’s on the page? Well, these basic elements:
- Words of encouragement for those struggling, along with an invitation to escape.
- Links to FightTheNewDrug.org and XXXChurch.com.
- A link to a strong, local Celebrate Recovery ministry.
- A link to ten of the best books about the struggle with pornography.
- Links to other local resources and ministries.
- An invitation to come to Grace Hills, “even if you just looked at porn.”
And a link to this awesome online program:
We could do more. We could incorporate video testimonials, giveaways of free software, and links to messages where we’ve talked about addiction, lust, and pornography. But this is a good start.
Here are some reasons why I believe every church ought to create a page like this…
- We talk about shining light in the darkness, but we don’t really enter the darkness much with the light. Google gives us a chance to do so by creating findable resources for those who are struggling.
- When we preach at people about their behavior but never preach to them with hope, we just create frustrated, disillusioned strugglers.
- When we don’t talk about an issue that a lot of people struggle with, we make it seem taboo, off limits, and that there is no help.
- People are looking for porn! LOTS of people. They need to know that what they’re searching for will never fill the void that Jesus can fill with his true, genuine love.
- It’s a gospel issue. It’s a sin issue, so repentance is necessary. We need to talk about this issue in a way that invites people to change rather than merely piling on more shame.
- Resources are out there! And the church has the people who need those resources. This is one way for us to build a bridge and plug people into helpful resources.
- Part of the church’s tendency to be anemic is the result of a ton of our guys feeling shame over their secret addiction to porn. Help them get free and see just how they can change the world.
Men are struggling in this area more and more. Women are struggling too. Teenagers are struggling. Families are hurting. People in the industry are suffering. People are being bought and sold as slaves to help support this industry. We’ve gotta do something! Why not start a church porn page?
Great article and ideas Brandon. We are launching a full on national outreach to men who are struggling or addicted to porn and sexual acting out. Our temp landing page is below. We launch 02.17.17. Love to have your feedback when we do!
http://www.choppingwood.org
https://www.facebook.com/blainebartel99
Grace on you my friend!
Blaine Bartel
Dude, we need more resources like what you’re about to offer. Can’t wait to see it live! I also run a blog about men’s issues over at Bold for Good.
Right on Brandon. Will stay in touch and check out your men’s blog!
LOVE this idea, Brandon. We’re going to “steal” as much as we can from your site and make it happen. Great timing too; we’re in the midst of redoing our current site.
Appreciate you, brother!
Steal away, Kurt!
Brandon,
Yeah, great post and page you created man! I am going to also share it with our web specialist at my church. You are absolutely right with the insane number of people struggling with this, it warrants having an actual page on a church site dedicated to the cause. There is also a lot that churches can do to be recognized with search engines by utilizing the “google grant” for free search engine marketing!
Thanks, Ian! And great point about the grant.