Posted by spiritofburning on October 1, 2007 at 1:40pm
What modules have you guys used or would recommend for building church websites? What have you found popular among churches in the past? What things have you found especially useful?
Recommended Modules for Church Websites
Group organizers
Group categories
Topic
- Demo/Showcase (31)
- Distributions (11)
- Help (43)
- How-To (35)
- Jobs/Volunteers (3)
- Modules (29)
- Resources (11)
- Social Networking (7)
- Themes (4)
- Groups.Drupal Church (44)
Comments
Here's a few:
audio - perfect for sermons and podcasts
panel - some pages need multiple types of content
google_analytics - nice way to get stats of what pages are doing well
mailhandler - if you want people to be able to email content in
og - (organic groups)
scripturefilter
scheduler
tinymce
views
Also - there is a podcast about exactly this:
http://geeksandgod.com/audio/download/202/episode35.mp3
And a whole series:
http://geeksandgod.com/podcast-series/building-a-website-with-drupal-cms
Good list
Thanks a lot Struesda. That was a good list.
I would also include CCK for the added functionality of customizing nodes.
Does anyone else have a list of their favorite Drupal 5.x modules?
Even more
ecommerce- a great donation module
all the cck fields needed
Online Donations
Hey, I'm not trying to hijack the thread, it is about modules after all. However, I saw the plug for ecommerce and wanted to add my .02 why I think accepting online donations is a really bad idea.
As for the topic at hand, I'd like to see more churches integrating forums into their main sites. It's simply extending the community—fellowship and interaction—which is already taking place and introducing it to a potentially much larger audience.
Blessings! -NP
Online giving isn't just a
Online giving isn't just a module that should be blindly thrown up on a church website. The leadership at the church should educate the community on what "e-giving" is:
how it can be a form of worship
why online giving is available
where the money goes
how safe such giving is
I have gone to so many churches that pass a bucket around the congregation during every service. Yet, there's very little explanation about what actually going on here (what does it mean to worship through finances?). I think that's just as "wrong" than offering online giving.
Online giving is a very important module for a church website. If you screw it up, you could endanger the finances of the community. Do it right. Take your time. Educate the community.
I'd also like to add that you shouldn't add online giving to your website if your users aren't going to use it. A lot of churches say "my church needs this module" without stopping to this if "my community will use this module".
If you've got an educated community, then I think online giving can be very effective for both the community and their glorification of God.
--
Sojourn Church - the Hushed Casket
@ericatkins
good call
in fact in my experience that process should be followed for all modules - if the community wont or isn't going to use it, then don't enable it.
educate them about it first and then add it
Lot's 'O Modules!
I've spent many hours reading through the current list of
modules and chose and downloaded this huge collection
(see list below).
Some I will load right away, most I wanted to investigate
further before making a decision as some offer duplicate
features via different methodologies.
Anyone spot anything dangerous in my list?
Anyone spot anything they have tried and found indispensible?
account_reminder-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
acl-5.x-1.5.tar.gz
admin_menu-5.x-2.1.tar.gz
admin_message-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
affiliates-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
antiproxyhack-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
archive-5.x-1.7.tar.gz
article-5.x-2.4.tar.gz
audio-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
autoresponder-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
autotimezone-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
avatarapproval-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
avatar_gallery-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
avatar_selection-5.x-2.2.tar.gz
backup-5.x-3.0.tar.gz
backup_migrate-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
birthdays-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
blockanonymouslinks-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
bookmark_us-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
bookreview-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
brilliant_gallery-5.x-2.15.tar.gz
buddylist-5.x-1.1-beta.tar.gz
buddylist-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
calendar-5.x-1.7.tar.gz
captcha-5.x-3.1.tar.gz
captcha_pack-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
casetracker-5.x-1.3-beta1.tar.gz
cck_flashcard-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
cck_slideshow-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
checkout-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
commentapproval-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
commentmail-5.x-0.1.tar.gz
comment_mover-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
comment_notify-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
comments_page-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
comment_subject-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
copyright-5.x-1.6.tar.gz
coral_defender-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
countdown-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
createcontentblock-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
curvycorners-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
customfilter-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
date-5.x-1.7.tar.gz
dbfmgreybox-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
dhtml_menu-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
diff-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
diggthis-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
docs-5.x-1.0-alpha3.tar.gz
donate_project-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
donate_records-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
donation-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
donations-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
download_count-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
dropdown_menu-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
drupalit-5.x-1.4-beta2.tar.gz
easylink-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
easylists-5.x-0.1.tar.gz
ec_dashboards-5.x-4.x-dev.tar.gz
ecommerce-5.x-3.4.tar.gz
ed_classified-5.x-1.5-8.tar.gz
ed_readmore-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
email_verify-5.x-2.0.tar.gz
embedfilter-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
emfield-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
encl_remote-5.x-0.5-beta.tar.gz
event-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
eventrepeat-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
eventrepeat_views-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
extlink-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
faq-5.x-2.6.tar.gz
faq_ask-5.x-1.0-beta2.tar.gz
fieldactions-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
fieldset_menus-5.x-1.6.tar.gz
fivestar-5.x-1.10.tar.gz
flashnode-5.x-4.1.tar.gz
flashvideo-5.x-2.5.tar.gz
focus-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
forum_access-5.x-1.7.tar.gz
forward-5.x-1.11.tar.gz
freelinking-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
front-5.x-1.9.tar.gz
gallery-5.x-2.0.tar.gz
globalredirect-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
glossary-5.x-1.4.tar.gz
googtube-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
gotcha-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
gtklp-1.2.2.tar.gz
headerimage-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
helptip-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
hf-0.7.3.tar.gz
hovertip-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
htmlcorrector-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
htmlpurifier-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
httpauth-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
httpbl-5.x-0.9.tar.gz
i18n-5.x-2.2.tar.gz
IEradicator2001.zip
image-5.x-1.6.tar.gz
image_exact-5.x-0.1.tar.gz
image_gallery_access-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
imagemenu-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
image_pager-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
image_pub-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
imagex-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
img_assist-5.x-1.5.tar.gz
img_filter-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
img_insert-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
inline-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
invisimail-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
invite-5.x-1.13.tar.gz
jcarousellite-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
jeopardy-5.x-1.0.x-dev.tar.gz
journal-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
jquery_heartbeat-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
jquery_interface-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
jquery_update-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
jstools-5.x-0.8.tar.gz
jsv-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
kudos-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
lbtouch-0.7.3.tar.gz
legal-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
lightbox2-5.x-2.1.tar.gz
link-5.x-2.1.tar.gz
links-5.x-1.8.tar.gz
linksdb-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
linktocontent-5.x-1.7.tar.gz
lm_paypal-HEAD.tar.gz
loginmenu-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
logotool-5.x-2.3.tar.gz
masquerade-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
mimemail-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
minimenus-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
mlm-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
mmb-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
modr8-5.x-2.3.tar.gz
module_builder-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
morehelp-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
movies-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
multisearch-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
mysite-5.x-2.15.tar.gz
nat-5.x-2.1.tar.gz
news-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
newsletter_checkbox-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
nice_menus-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
niftycube-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
NiftyCube.zip
nodeaccess-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
node_adoption-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
nodeasblock-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
node_browser-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
nodecloud-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
nodefamily-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
node_find_replace-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
nodegoto-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
nodehierarchy-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
nodeprofile-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
nodereferrer_create-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
nodestack-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
nodeteaser-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
nodetriggers-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
notify-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
nudge-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
oaliquid-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
og2list-4.7.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
og-5.x-4.1.tar.gz
og_mandatory_group-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
og_multiple_mandatory_groups_by_role-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
page_title-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
panels-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
panels_accordion-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
password_strength-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
paybox-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
pbackup-2.0.1.pet
pblog-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
pdfflyer-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
peptalk-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
persistent_login-5.x-1.4-beta1.tar.gz
photoframe-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
pictures-5.x-0.x-dev.tar.gz
pingback-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
pmail-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
postcard-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
postlet-0.14.zip
print-5.x-3.0.tar.gz
private-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
private_upload-5.x-1.0-beta3.tar.gz
profile_privacy-5.x-1.0-1.tar.gz
pwfcaptcha-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
question-5.x-1.4.tar.gz
quickfile-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
quickmenu-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
quicktags-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
quotes-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
recaptcha-5.x-2.4.tar.gz
recent_changes-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
recipe-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
referral_links-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
refresh-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
relatedcontent-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
relativity-5.x-2.2.tar.gz
relativity_access-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
remember_me-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
remove_nonviewable_menu_items-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
resource_conflict-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
restricted_text-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
revision_moderation-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
riddler-5.x-3.0.tar.gz
rsvp-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
salemail-5.x-3.x-dev.tar.gz
salt-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
saveguard-5.x-0.1.tar.gz
scripturefilter-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
scrolltext-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
search_engine_referers-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
see_map-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
send-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
seo_checklist-5.x-1.3-1.tar.gz
service_links-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
session_expire-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
session_limit-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
session_restore-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
share-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
shoutbox-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
shoutcast-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
shutterfly-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
sidecontent-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
signature-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
signature_forum-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
signup-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
signwriter-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
similar-5.x-2.0.tar.gz
simple_access-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
simplemenu-5.x-4.0.tar.gz
simplenews-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
simplenews_template-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
simple_paypal-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
sitedoc-5.x-1.5.tar.gz
site_map-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
sitemenu-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
sitenotes-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
slidebox-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
slideshow-5.x-2.0-c.tar.gz
slideshow_creator-5.x-1.24.tar.gz
smackdown-5.x-2.x-dev.tar.gz
smartlinebreakconverter-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
smartypants-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
smtp-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
spam-5.x-1.1-2.tar.gz
spamspan-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
spam_tokens-5.x-2.0.tar.gz
spellcheck-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
splash-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
split_moderation-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
spoiler-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
staffbio-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
station-5.x-1.4.tar.gz
subform_element-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
suggestedterms-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
survey-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
swftools-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
syndication-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
synonyms-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
tableofcontents-5.x-2.0.tar.gz
tagadelic-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
tagadelic_views-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
taxonomy_breadcrumb-5.x-1.4.tar.gz
teaser_images-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
term_blacklist-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
themesettings-5.x-1.5.tar.gz
thickbox-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
tinymce-5.x-1.9.tar.gz
token-5.x-1.9.tar.gz
transliteration-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
tweakbox-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
typogrify-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
update_status-5.x-2.0.tar.gz
upload_image-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
upload_perm_per_type-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
upload_preview-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
upload_progress-5.x-1.4.tar.gz
urllist-5.x-2.0.tar.gz
url_replace_filter-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
user_cancellation-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
username_check-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
usernode-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
userplus-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
user_register_notify-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
user_stats-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
user_suspend-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
video-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
video_filter-5.x-1.4.tar.gz
views-5.x-1.6.tar.gz
views_bonus-5.x-1.2-alpha1.tar.gz
views_bulk_operations-5.x-1.0-beta1.tar.gz
views_fastsearch-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
views_fusion-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
views_mail-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
views_multiblock-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
viewsphpfilter-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
views_podcast-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
views_popup-5.x-1.1.tar.gz
views_slideshow-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
views_union-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
volunteer_timeslots-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
votingapi-5.x-1.5.tar.gz
watermark-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
weather-5.x-5.1.tar.gz
webcal-5.x-1.0-beta1.tar.gz
webcams-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
webform-5.x-1.7.tar.gz
webform_own_results-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
webform_report-5.x-1.4.tar.gz
weblinks-5.x-1.8.tar.gz
websnapr-5.x-1.0-beta.tar.gz
wghtml-5.x-1.0.tar.gz
whizzywig-5.x-1.2.tar.gz
wordfilter-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
workspace-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
writing_assignment-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
wwsgd-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
xdx-2.2.tar.gz
xlog-1.5.tar.gz
xmlsitemap-5.x-1.3.tar.gz
zipcode-5.x-1.x-dev.tar.gz
Blessings to all from sunny Florida!
http://firstbaptistchurchsh.com
Pastor David
http://thebridgechristianlifecenter.com
Pastor David
Why MiniMenus and SimpleMenu?
Why do you install both MiniMenus and SimpleMenu? Don't they do the same thing?
If you have tried both, any suggestions on which one is better?
heh My recommendation would
heh My recommendation would be not to load more modules than you have memory. Also, if you're needing some simple e-commerce functionality, I'd strongly recommend you check out Ubercart as a much simpler, easy to use solution than the e-commerce package - http://www.ubercart.org.
take tiny steps
Like you - I have to fight the urge to try out tons of modules to see what they do. But I've found that this causes several serious problems:
- A lot of modules don't have a lot of clear documentation as to what to expect them to do - so if you suddenly see some different fields on your input form - and you have a bunch of modules installed - you will have no idea which module added which fields - or what it is supposed to do - much less where to look for help. It will get very confusing very quickly.
- and if one module conflicts with another and produces errors - you will have no idea which module to blame!
- and keeping that many updated would be a full time job by itself!
I would recommend taking the opposite approach.
1. Set up a test site to play on.
2. Figure out something you want your site to do
3. Research and find some modules that look like they will help you do that ONEthing
4. Download and install ONE of them
5. Explore the permissions and settings for it
6. Do any other configuration for it
7. Use it and see how it works
Repeat steps 4-7 for the other modules you found - ONE AT A TIME
- that way you will know how one module works and that it does not have errors before you being tackling another one.
Then - any modules you find yourself not using - remove it.
Once you have it working - then you can install just those on your live site and set it up.
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR END GOAL IN MIND
otherwise you will get lost amidst the myriad of module choices and configurations!
RECOMMENDED STARTING POINT:
- Views
- CCK
- Panels
(these will form the backbone of at least 80% of anything you want to do. play with them and get comfortable with them)
Then - by task:
PODCASTS:
- audio
CALENDARS:
- date
- calendar
PHOTOS:
- image
- (various others that work with image module)
GENERAL:
- scripturefilter
ADMIN TOOLS:
- admin menu
Basic Modules
I've settled on a basic set for church websites:
TinyMCE (church's are accustomed to using Microsoft Word, etc and they like the formatting options... but I restrict it to disallow custom styling on their end)
IMCE (for inserting/uploading/resizing images)
Views (used for all sorts of display types)
Pathauto (for creating and setting custom URL aliases for certain content types)
Webform (for prayer request forms, contact forms, etc)
Events + Event Repeat (allows them to manage their own calendar)
On the Events modules, I've heard you can use Views' Calendar module, but haven't used it enough to be comfortable with it for church sites. Any thoughts, there?
Modules
Take a look at the Open Church distribution. It has quite a bit of modules and is actively maintained.
http://drupal.org/project/openchurch
OpenChurch...yes
I agree with thesean19. Great distro for churches.
10 Modules
I just did a post about 10 modules you should have installed on your Churches drupal site.
http://bit.ly/ZLGv0q