QR codes for ministry
An introduction to QR codes as a ministry tool
What is a QR code?
“QR” stands for “quick response,” as they immediately connect the user to its encoded data when scanned with a phone or reader. They are a type of two-dimensional barcode. Interestingly, QR codes1 were invented in 1994 in Japan to track vehicles and parts through the manufacturing process at a Toyota-related manufacturer.2 You have likely seen them in many different places; indeed, Japan Harvest used one on page 27 of their last issue.
QR codes are a strategic communication tool. They can contain many types of data—most commonly website URLs, but also map locations, contact information, Wi-Fi passwords, and much more. The three big squares in a code anchor the image direction, and the pattern of smaller squares or dots in the rest of it defines the data. The complexity (number of dots/squares) varies with the length of the URL or other data in the code.
How to read them
Your phone’s camera app can probably already read QR codes, but if not, there are a multitude of free barcode reader apps available in your phone’s app store. Many apps for communication or social media also use QR codes to transfer app-specific data between devices.
For wise security, take a moment to look at the text (in the case of a web URL, your camera app will probably display it when it reads the code) before you open it in a browser, to make sure it’s what you expect.
Uses for ministry
QR codes can function like a modern business card. Through these codes you can share your contact info such as email, websites, social media, and map locations to help ensure interested parties are able to contact you. First-time guests can be directed to a contact card on a church website via a QR code to share their information with you.
This tool is great for quick interactions or simplifying information exchange in ministry activities. Codes printed on flyers, tracts, and posters allow for easy scanning to point people to event announcements or other opportunities for further engagement. People doing outreach can save a QR code image on their phone to share evangelistic tools like gospel videos, Scripture, apps, or online resources with people they meet.
How to make one
Tools to create QR codes are widely available online and in app stores. Karen likes to use online tools that can be used anonymously without an account—her favorites are qrcode-monkey.com and the-qrcode-generator.com (note the “the”). Daniel likes to use the Mac app iQR Codes from the MacOS store. When making a code, many times all you need to do is select the type of information you wish to encode, then insert that information in the fields provided by the QR-creating app/website. In many QR code creation tools, you can also customize the colors and visual appearance to make it more distinctive, and/or even upload a logo to show in the center of the code (like the Japan Harvest code on this page, which was made with QRCode Monkey); doing this will help your code stand out and provide more information about what it connects to. However, the more you complicate the design of a code, the harder it is to scan, so make sure the foreground and background colors have enough contrast and that the code is not too small for cameras to read it in real-world lighting conditions. It’s a good policy to always prioritize readability over design.
Caution: Many tools promote the use of “dynamic” QR codes (or sometimes called “editable” or “trackable”), and sometimes premium design features are offered if you choose that option. A dynamic code is often described as a separate type of QR code, but in truth it’s just a normal QR code that goes to a middleman site before redirecting to yours. That allows the middleman to track your traffic—one of the most valuable commodities these days is data about where people go on the internet, so naturally all the makers of these tools want a foothold in that. There are also other security and privacy risks. Karen strongly recommends simply making a “static” code directly to your desired destination. There are ways to dynamically redirect within websites without external services. And if you want statistics about when your QR code is used, you can add something simple to the URL to distinguish it in your website’s own analytics.
Consider how you can utilize QR codes to make your ministry’s resources and information more accessible to the people you want to reach.
1. The term “QR Code” is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE Incorporated.
2. This short video includes more of the backstory: https://youtu.be/k09ip9Z6TCk