The top-level domain (TLD) “.CHURCH” is a generic, top-level domain in the Domain Name System of the Internet. It is intended for use by churches, church organizations, and individuals involved in church activities. It was officially introduced in 2014 by Donuts Inc., an American domain registrar company and was delegated to the Root Zone of the Domain Name System on May 22, 2014.
Donuts Inc. manages hundreds of top-level domains, and “.CHURCH” is one of them. Specifically designed for churches, denominations, and church organizations, it offers them a chance to establish a virtual space dedicated to faith-building, communication, and development (ICANN, The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, 2014).
There are myriad examples of usage of the “.CHURCH” TLD by different religious institutions around the world. For instance, Life.Church, a multi-site American evangelical church, uses www.life.church as their primary web address. Another example is www.newlife.church used by New Life Church in Colorado Springs, USA. These are just two examples among many more that show the widespread adaptation of the “.CHURCH” TLD by religious institutions to establish their online presence.
By using the “.CHURCH” domain extension, organizations not only signify their religious identity but also help internet users identify and connect with them more easily. Branding expert Rob Meyerson, in a 2015 survey for the World Trademark Review, cites that new gTLDs like “.CHURCH” help in “providing consumers with more choice and enabling more memorable and descriptive domain names”.
However, anyone intending to use .CHURCH TLD needs to be aware that it’s an open domain, meaning it’s not limited to traditional or recognized religious institutions like the .EDU domain for educational institutions. Therefore, the use of .CHURCH isn’t inherently an endorsement or recognition of religious status.
As with all internet domains, any disputes over the use or ownership of a .CHURCH domain must be resolved through ICANN’s Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). Misuse of the domain, such as deceptive practices or infringement of trademark rights, can result in the domain being taken away from the current registrant.
In conclusion, the .CHURCH TLD is a digital tool available for institutions and individuals looking to create online spaces for church-related activities and communication. As a generic top-level domain, its use is not regulated or limited to traditional or recognized religious institutions, thus broadening its potential application.
(Sources: ICANN, The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, https://www.icann.org/; Donuts Inc., https://donuts.domains/what-we-do/top-level-domains; World Trademark Review, https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/)
