he Central States Conference of Seventh-day Adventists recently hosted a training webinar introducing FRAME, the North American Division’s new website platform designed to help churches strengthen their digital presence and connect with their communities.
Led by communication director Trevor Barnes, the session brought together pastors, church leaders and volunteers from across the conference to learn how to better use technology for ministry.
Barnes, who also pastors the Northside Seventh-day Adventist Church, said the webinar was created to help churches recognize the growing importance of digital ministry.
“I think it is important for our churches to have a strong online presence because studies show that most people visit a church online before they attend in person,” Barnes said. “If we aren’t representing ourselves well online, we have a substantial hinderance for growth.”
The webinar featured a presentation and live demonstration by Anthony White of Adventist Connect, followed by a question-and-answer session addressing practical needs at the local church level.
A New Era of Digital Ministry
FRAME is the North American Division’s updated website platform, replacing previous systems such as Adventist Church Connect. The platform is designed specifically for Adventist churches, schools and ministries, offering a free, centralized, and mission-focused digital solution.
White explained that the shift reflects a growing reality: a church’s website is often the first point of contact for visitors.
“Your church office closes,” he said, “but your website is open 24/7.”
Research shared during the presentation highlighted the importance of a strong online presence:
- 80% of people visit a church’s website before attending in person
- 75% judge a church’s credibility based on its website
- 61% leave within seconds if they can’t find what they need
These insights underscored a key theme of the webinar: digital ministry is no longer optional—it is essential.
What FRAME Offers
FRAME is built on a WordPress foundation, giving churches access to a flexible and modern content management system while maintaining centralized support and security.
Key features include:
- Mobile-friendly design optimized for today’s users
- Built-in tools for pages, events, forms and media
- Integration with Adventist systems like online giving
- No cost for churches, schools and ministries
- Centralized updates, security and support
White emphasized that FRAME allows churches to focus on ministry, not technology.
“Our job is the machine,” he said. “Your job is the message.”
The North American Division recently completed the migration of more than 3,300 church and school websites to the new platform, marking a significant milestone in this transition.
Live Demo: What Churches Can Do
During the webinar, White demonstrated how easy it is to build and update a site using FRAME.
Participants saw how to:
- Edit pages using a block-based editor
- Rearrange menus with simple drag-and-drop tools
- Add call-to-action buttons like “Contact Us”
- Upload images and create visually engaging layouts
- Manage leadership directories that update automatically
- Integrate calendars and events
The demo highlighted how even users with little technical experience can quickly learn to manage their church website.
Questions from the Field
The Q&A session reflected real ministry needs from local churches.
Topics included:
- Plugins and customization: FRAME uses a curated system to ensure security, limiting external plugins but allowing feedback for future improvements.
- Directories: Leadership directories can be created, though full member directories may be better handled through other Adventist systems.
- Calendars: Google calendars can be embedded or integrated directly into the site.
- Small groups and engagement tools: Churches can build pages for groups and use upcoming tools like Thrive for deeper member engagement.
- Training resources: Written guides and video tutorials are available through an online knowledge base.
White reassured participants that support is readily available, including tutorials, live assistance and ongoing development.
Practical Takeaways for Churches
The webinar offered several clear takeaways for local church leaders:
- Your website is your front door
For many visitors, the website is their first impression of your church. - Keep it simple and clear
Essential information—service times, location and contact details—should be easy to find. - Design for mobile users
Most visitors will access your site from a phone. - Update regularly
Outdated content can quickly reduce credibility. - Use visuals and video
Engaging media increases interaction and interest. - Focus on first-time visitors
Design your site with newcomers in mind, not just members.
White challenged attendees to take immediate action:
Log into your website this week and update at least one thing—whether a photo, event or announcement.
Moving Forward
As the Central States Conference continues to equip churches for digital ministry, the FRAME platform represents a unified effort across the North American Division to strengthen outreach, improve communication and support local congregations.
Quote: What do you hope happens next and what do you have planned next?
With tools, training and support now in place, the opportunity is clear:
churches can use their digital presence not just to inform—but to invite, connect and minister in a rapidly changing world.
Watch the Full Webinar
For those who would like to see the full presentation, including the live demo and Q&A session, you can watch the training here:
