The Christian Post reported that Oklahoma megachurch LifeChurch.tv has applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to register the .church domain name. According to LifeChurch.tv’s innovation leader Bobby Gruenewald, this domain name will enable churches to leverage technology to connect to people. “The ‘.church’ extension is another way the church can meet people where they are in this digital era,” he said.
LifeChurch officials explained, “The ‘.church’ extension will enable churches label who they are without awkward URLs that are difficult to type or remember. Secondly, the new extension will help those searching about faith online to easily see which sites are ministry-related. With the ‘.church’ extension, churches and ministries will be able to stand apart from government entities, corporations and other organizations and allow individuals searching to clearly find what they need.”
LifeChurch.tv’s proposed registration of the domain name will be open to churches, denominations, and organizations of all faiths and beliefs. Gruenewald said LifeChurch.tv has no goal of profiting from the control of the domain name, and LifeChurch’s history of generosity with its technical and creative developments confirms this. Brandon Cox, managing editor of Pastor’s com, commented, “I don’t think they are looking at it for the purpose of financial profit. I’m glad they are going after it because they are very Kingdom-minded. They are good people to control it.”
