I been working on a faith site and prayer requests is a big issue.
So, I thought to share and ask for some feedback or suggestions.
I've created a content type = prayer request
It is just a basic story content type using CCK field types
I've changed the titles of course to help users know what to do.
CCK module is needed to build other fields for personal information.
This is not on a production site yet.
The comments would allow other site visitors to respond on prayer requests. I've thought maybe I should add another text box in CCK text box field. This way additional information can be added by the original requestor. In other words I'm thinking of a kind of on-going prayer request content.
Also, I was thinking of trying to provide an answer to prayer content type. I'm thinking on this, because I there should be a direct way of linking the answer to prayer to the actual request. Basically, I've thought to just add additional CCK fields to the prayer request type. This way the answer is actually a part of the document as the prayer request.
Then again I was thinking it might be more interesting on the site for answers to prayer to be a separate content type from the prayer request. This way site visitors could view answers to prayer. I still think I need some kind of linking mechanism to the original prayer request, or in some cases no linking.
By using CCk for the request it affords all kinds of flexibility it seems.
I reviewed webform, but it just seems too governmental for some reason to me.
I looked into the modr8 module for letting anonymous users post prayer requests. I changed my mind on that. I think anyone requesting prayer will just have to bite the bullet and join the site. I'd like to allow some photos to be added during the prayer request for a more personal touch as well. I know I don't want anonymous users posting images.
I thought to do a forums, but I just don't believe they will come off as well to visitors. Also, searching and finding information gets more complex as the forums grows. I can through the content types and CCK actually build in search and sort filters. Also, the prayer request will have prominence on the site when requested and accessed. Nothing like a full node filling the screen with the request to make it important to visitors, which is as it should be for the most part.
Also, I think there should be some sort of time window built into each prayer request. The request should go into archive after a pre-determined number of days unless the request has been updated by the original requestor. Not sure I have any ideas on how to do this. The revision thing might be the answer to this, just modified to make more sense to users. The revision thing makes sense, just might be a bit too difficult for users to understand how it might work.
All explanations for the respective field entry items are just one liners. I'm going to looking into seeing if there is some type of context help module that could be appplied. That way a mouse over the field could have a popup box with a thorough description of what the user is expected to enter in that field.
The views module will allow some really exciting options for site users to work through prayer requests as well. I have a good idea of a multi-tag search using several boxes for different taxonomy terms. This would be a slam dunk for users, just a bit techie for a faith site.
Anyway, I'd appreciate some feedback on the above, if you have experience with prayer requests on your site/s.
Comments
Prayer Requests
Great topic! Very needed. Joomla has a Functional module that works quite nicely.. here's a demo site I found out there... http://jackthewebguy.com/demo/cnp/index.php?option=com_prayercenter&task...
In answer to your questions in your thread- Here's my take :
1) I believe prayers and answers would be most effective if threaded together and not separate content. All attached to original content - almost as a thread where dialogue can take place
2) I agree - forums doesn't seem to be flexible enough. module MUST be user friendly - especially for the novice since Prayer Requests will be used by entire church, etc.
3) A time frame option would be nice - allow user to select (7 days , 2 weeks, 1 month, etc)
4) Lables with instruction text will also help
Do you have a link I can see what you have so far?
I will be glad to share when
I will be glad to share when I have something that is workable.
Looked at your link, thanks for that. I am not too excited about a structured prayer request form for a faith site. I think you can do alot with color, and space. Boxes and forms, IMO, are just not friendly enough.
Currently, I am working on several projects that are very time consuming. I may not have anything you can see for several weeks, with the upcoming holidays and all.
I will make an effort to put up something to enhance discussion on this project.
Thanks for your reponse
how would you be handling privacy issues?
how would you be handling privacy issues? prayer requests often include some very personal info, often medical, so there are serious privacy concerns with how that should be shared and handled, and some legal concerns (HIPPA, etc?)
fwiw, we've used a moderator-send googlegroups email list for our prayer chain.
Requests are sent to one person/email box, where they are edited before sending them out to the 'prayers' list, which is maintained via googlegroups. Only church members are on the prayers email list, and joining needs approval.
A fair amount of consideration went into the privacy aspects of our system, and what info gets passed out to the list, which is all church members. Our prayer-chain / policy details page hasn't been migrated to our new site yet, but I could provide some of the details if there is interest.
jeff
The site I am working on is
The site I am working on is not for a church. Privacy is important, but the prayer requests on the site I'm working will not be designed to work with people as you would in a church. Also, churches are more involved with people personally at a local level.
If that were the case I would be looking at building a HTTPS server for information with encryption of all data.
The internet is a web of deceit and it just as well be said. In order to protect people it is best not require too much information. That is really not possible in a local church, everyone knows everyones business. If not, it is their choice not to know is my experience.
Also, people within a local church are more involved with each other on a first name basis, know the kids, the family, etc. You really do wnat to protect their information. The international worldwide web is overkill for such situations. Email is probably a better mechanism, at least the discussions are direct between correspondents. Protection of email addresses should be handled by some type of moderation and oversight, once email correspondents have approved and shared their information basically I'd say you as a site owner are out of the mix.
I have done similar things with business sites wherein I required all site members to have an email address on the sites webserver, which the users could access via pop. Better still we suggested they use an http type email service (hotmail,gmail,yahoomail,etc) using a nickname. We also encouraged them to use fictious information when they created the http email account. Yeah, I know that may not have a good ring to it for church members. LOL
In defense, I am a christian and I don't put information on the web that identifies me or other personal information. A complex search through my IP is about the only way it could be done, and then they would need to have some serious authority to pursue it.
Jeff, I agree that I would
Jeff,
I agree that I would only want church members to have access to list and their request must be approved before joining. DEFINITELY must be moderated. You bring up some really good points. When i think about it further - there really would be two categories of prayer requests, those that are generic and "the world" can see, and those that are more personal/private - yet STILL require prompt attention ..ie,) Pray for Mary Smith's marriage, her husband Joe has been cheating on her and now the "other woman" is pregnant".
- You get the point.
I would certainly appreciate you input on what your existing prayer-chain/policy is.
one way to help with the
one way to help with the privacy is to anonymize some of the personal info, or reduce the details sent out.
Obviously we can pray without knowing someone's full name, so just using first names or even initials or "a friend of " and/or reducing details is part of our request editor/sender's role. It's one reason to have a careful editor/moderator in the loop, and not to just send out prayer requests as-received.
Keep in mind too that many requests are sent in by 3rd parties. ("Can you pray for my friend John Doe's -extremely embarrassing medical condition-...") and while John may appreciate the prayer ... or may not even go to your church, he/she may really not want those details spread around. If we can't confirm that the persons named give permission to share the info as sent we definitely reduce the identity and situation details.
I'll try to post a copy of our details soon. nag me if I forget. ;-)
later,
jeff
Q&A Recipie
Matt Farina has a nice recipe over at http://engineeredweb.com/blog/09/11/building-stack-overflow-clone-drupal...
It uses separate Question and Answer content types and uses node reference to link them together.
Sounds kind of close to your Prayer Request + Answer thoughts.
Might be worth checking out.
I would love to investigate
I would love to investigate that further... Can you re-check your link? It errors out for me.
- Sounds like it has potential