Close Menu
Christian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEO
    • Get Started
      • Build a Website
      • Get a Custom Designed Website
      • Get Better Search Rankings
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube Instagram Pinterest RSS
    Christian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEOChristian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEO
    • WEBSITE BUILDER
      • Website Builder
      • Web Hosting
      • Web Builder Themes
      • Build Website Faster
      • Web Hosting FAQs?
    • WEB DESIGN
      • Web Design
      • Web Design Portfolio
      • Web Design Prices
      • Logo Design
      • Full WordPress Service
      • Web Design FAQs?
    • SEO
      • SEO
      • Church SEO
      • Business SEO
      • School Marketing
      • Ministry Marketing
      • SEO Services
      • SEO FAQs?
    • ABOUT OURCHURCH.COM
      • About
      • Services
      • News
      • Blog
    • Get Started
      • Build a Website
      • Get a Custom Designed Website
      • Get Better Search Rankings
    Christian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEO
    Home»org type»church»QR Codes: 10 Ways Churches Can Use Them

    QR Codes: 10 Ways Churches Can Use Them

    Paul SteinbrueckBy Paul SteinbrueckJun 12, 2025Updated:Jun 12, 202530 Comments6 Mins Read
    QR-Codes-10-Ways-Churches-Can-Use-Them

    Have you seen these odd looking black and white squares (like the one displayed here) in magazines, on signs, and online? They’re called QR codes, and they have the potential to do some remarkable things for your organization.

    What is a QR code?

    A QR Code (short for quick-response code) is a two-dimensional barcode, which has information encoded in it, usually the information encoded is a URL or website address.

    Believe it or not the QR code was invented all the way back in 1994 by Masahiro Hara of Japanese company Denso Wave for labelling automobile parts.

    QR codes gained some some popularity back in the early 2010s with the use of smart phones, but that interest faded because Apple’s iOS did not support them. Users were forced to download special QR code reading apps to their phones, and most people didn’t bother.

    How can I read a QR code?

    In recent years, however, iOS and Android added QR code support into their operating systems and their cameras, eliminating the need to install a special app. As a result, there has been a resurgence in the use of QR codes and their use is more widespread than every.

    Today, all you have to do is open the camera app on your phone, and focus on the QR code. Once the QR code is read, a link will appear on the screen which you can tap to open in a web browser. Easy-peasy!

    What’s the point of QR codes?

    QR codes link offline information to online content, effectively providing additional information and even multimedia to an offline experience. If you’ve created print material that included a URL for more information, a QR code for that URL could also be added to enable smartphone users to go directly to that web page without having to type in the web address.

    Where are QR codes being used?

    Everywhere! 🙂

    More specifically, QR codes are being used in the following ways:

    • All kinds of advertising – magazines, direct mail, billboards, and TV – so people who are interested can get more info and order the product or service.
    • Payment and donation requests – Links to an online payment/donation page.
    • Restaurant tables – Links to the menu and specials.
    • Theater – Links to a virtual program or playbill
    • Churches – Links to a virtual bulletin or program
    • Museums – Links to more information on the art or exhibit.

    For example, I was at the Florida State Fair and saw them using QR codes in “Cracker Country,” the area devoted to Florida History. The QR code links to a 2 minute audio file, which gives more information about the exhibit.

    How do I create a QR code?

    There are website you can go to to generate a QR code for free including qrcode-monkey.com, goqr.me, and qr-code-generator.com.

    Or if you use the Chrome web browser, when you’re on a web page for which you want to create a QR code, you can simply right click and select the “Create QR code for this page” option

    10 Ways Churches Can Use QR Codes

    For those of you who are involved in church communications, lets look at some practical and innovative ways churches can use QR codes to communicate more effectively to their members and connect better with people in the community.

    1) In the Sunday bulletin/program

    Put a QR code next to each item for which there’s more info on the website.

    2) In place of the Sunday bulletin

    Some people (and entire churches) may want to skip the print bulletin entirely. Put a digital copy of the bulletin on the church website and place a QR code for the bulletin in the lobby, on the back of seats, and/or on the big screen so people can bypass the print version entirely.

    3) Sermon notes

    Put it in a “sermon notes” section of the Sunday bulletin. Link it to the audio (podcast), video, or notes for the message.

    4) Church sign

    Put a QR code on the big sign out front of your church building. Have it link to your church’s homepage or a welcome page, so those driving or walking by your church can get more information about your church.

    5) Direct mail invitations

    If your church sends out direct mail pieces to reach people in your community, include QR codes on them.

    6) Ministry pages

    If your church building has rooms for specific ministries, put a QR code on the sign outside the door that links to more info about that ministry.

    7) Invite cards

    If your church creates invitation cards for your people to use to invite their friends to church, include a QR code that links to the service or event you’re inviting people to.

    8) Church staff business cards

    If you church staff have business cards, put a QR code on back that links to the church homepage or to a profile page for that staff person.

    9) Creative outreach

    For evangelism purposes, your church could create a sign that says something intriguing like “Good News!” “Want a better life?” “Sick of being let down?” and below it put a QR code to a text or video gospel presentation on the church website. This could be put on yard signs, posters, stickers, or other things that could be posted and distributed in your community.

    10) Coffee mugs

    Create a coffee mug for your church with a QR code on it. Give it free to first-time visitors or sell it to regular attenders. In fact, you can put a QR code on any customizable items – a T-shirts, key chains, Frisbees, mouse pads, calendars, hats, tote bags, umbrellas, post-it notes, golf balls, thumb drives, and more.

    QR codes are a great way to add online information to an offline experience.

    Quote: QR codes are a great way to add online information to an offline experience. -Paul Steinbrueck
    Click to share this image on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram

    Partner with the pros

    If you’re looking for a Christian company who can help you reach more people and communicate more effectively through branding, web design, SEO, Google Ads management and more, we’d love to talk with you.

    Complete the consultation request for below (mobile) or the right (desktop) to schedule a call!

    Comment and Discuss

    • Is your church using QR codes in any of these ways? If so, how have they been received?
    • What other ways could churches use QR codes?

    Continue reading the series How to Design Your Website to be a Powerful Hub of Communications, Connections & Growth

    Paul Steinbrueck

    Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com

    Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.

    An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.

    Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication. 

    Share and Enjoy !

    Shares
    Paul Steinbrueck
    • Website

    Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization. An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org. Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication. 

    View 30 Comments

    30 Comments

    1. Phillip Gibb on Mar 4, 2011 9:31 am

      love the idea that you can link to a podcast.
      perhaps there is a baptism and the link is to the online version of the person's story

      Reply
      • PaulSteinbrueck on Mar 4, 2011 11:36 am

        That's a great idea Phill!

        Reply
    2. amelita mowatt on Mar 5, 2011 10:04 am

      In addition a testimony to one of the church outreach programs for example : Street Ministry;Hands of compassion

      Reply
    3. John Gordon on Mar 5, 2011 11:14 am

      Great article Paul. I want to start using QR Codes at our church.

      Reply
    4. Stuart on Mar 5, 2011 11:54 am

      Utterly brilliant Paul.

      I will start using some of these ideas JUST A SOON as I get the church to start using the website and not wanting to change the design before they even put content in it!!!!

      Reply
    5. Pingback: Articles to read this week « the blog of a Outreach Geek

    6. Pingback: What is a QR Code? (and 4 other things you should know about them) | Christian Web Trends Blog

    7. Bowmanave on Mar 9, 2011 2:36 am

      Thanks for the great ideas… I would like to find ways to get more people aware of our Reading Room, and your idea of a bookmark is really great!

      Reply
    8. Andrew on Mar 9, 2011 3:42 am

      I've used geo QR codes for maps particularly for offsite events.

      Reply
    9. Joseph on Mar 17, 2011 2:08 pm

      Thanks Paul for the the comment on Smallbiztechnology. For some reason I couldn't reply on our blog. Technology for you!

      Reply
      • PaulSteinbrueck on Mar 18, 2011 5:24 am

        My pleasure, Joseph. Thanks for stopping by to comment here.

        Reply
    10. Pingback: I’m Not Sold On Using A QR Code. Are You? - Godvertiser.com

    Newer Comments →
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Don’t Miss Anything!

    Get our weekly Christian Web Trends email!

    About

    Our mission is to help Christian organizations live out their mission online. We provide them with amazing web hosting, web design and SEO services and insightful blog content.

    Let’s Chat!

      I am interested in talking with someone about:
      Custom WebsiteSEOBoth

      Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube Instagram Pinterest RSS
      © 2025 Christian Web Trends Blog. All Rights Reserved.

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

      Share

      Blogger
      Delicious
      Digg
      Email
      Facebook
      Facebook messenger
      Flipboard
      Google
      Hacker News
      Line
      LinkedIn
      Mastodon
      Mix
      Odnoklassniki
      PDF
      Pinterest
      Pocket
      Print
      Reddit
      Renren
      Short link
      SMS
      Skype
      Telegram
      Tumblr
      Twitter
      VKontakte
      wechat
      Weibo
      WhatsApp
      X
      Xing
      Yahoo! Mail

      Copy short link

      Copy link