The District Directory on the LCMS Web site has been redesigned to make information about the Synod’s 35 districts more readily available and to offer districts a new method of creating and maintaining district Web sites.
The new directory features an interactive map of the United States that shows boundary lines of the 35 synodical districts so laity can more easily determine their correct district office.
All the statistics for the individual districts have been updated to include the latest available number of members, congregations, and schools. The Web site address and contact information for each district also are included.
The new directory also offers district offices the use of the same content management system for maintaining district Web sites that is used for the Synod’s Web site. David Berner, director of Information Services for the Synod, said the system allows easy uploading of files to a district Web site that can save both manpower and financial resources for district staff.
“The system, which has been used on the LCMS Web site since December 2003, allows the pages to be updated frequently without expensive desktop software or extensive training,” Berner said. “We’re pleased to be able to offer this same system to the district offices.”
The first district to partner with Information Services in developing a framework for district sites is Iowa District East. Hosted on an LCMS Internet server, the site uses synodical applications that are specific to the district.
One recently added application allows professional church workers to update their personal information in the Rosters and Statistics database. This same database then is used to provide data that is specific for individual districts. The Congregation, Church Worker and School Locators on the Iowa District East Web site, for example, only bring up results for that district.
Berner said that participating districts will no longer need to maintain their own lists of church workers, congregations, or schools on their Web sites, as many are doing, eliminating staff time in maintaining such lists.
District staff who want to learn more about the system may contact Berner at david.berner@lcms.org or (888) THE-LCMS (843-5267).
Posted April 8, 2005
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