Church Communications

Wherever you look, people are peering, or talking, or singing along, or listening as they walk, ride, fly — whatever. What about you and your church? Are you going mobile?

As the new year starts, it is also the start (well, restart) of my stint as a guide for the Church & Web Network. What would you like to talk about? I don’t have nearly all the answers, but I can definitely pose questions, find some information or sources of information, and solicit discussion. See the list of topics in the blog - pick from there or come up with your own! Let's talk.

This is Mavis Moon, signing in again as the guide for the Church & Web Network. I look forward to connecting with you on anything related to technology and your church. What questions do you have? What topics would you like us to discuss?

When her parents are getting her ready for church, my little 3-year-old granddaughter asks, “Are we going to the show?” That’s what she calls church -- “the show.” At her church, the service is shown via streaming video to the nursery where she goes each Sunday. Makes me wonder, how will “doing church” be different for future generations?

An article by Joyce Suh reminds us that being “wired” presents a danger “of gradually cutting ourselves off from the blessing that comes with being face-to-face with another human being and from being face-to-face with God.” As we begin the Christmas season, it is good to remind ourselves of what is the most important in our lives, and to “turn our eyes upon Jesus.”

What do you know about video? Well, if you’re Andrew Nutma, quite a bit. Andrew posted an entry in the forum called “Video Record 101.” You’ll learn about the low cost solution he found for video recording his church’s services. Has your church started video recording? 

Can technology be a tool to increase your devotion to God? Have you ever signed up for a thought or Bible verse a day? Did it help you spiritually? Have you ever developed or experienced a system using technology to increase your own or others’ devotion?

How do you connect with church family members? With the missionaries you support? With other partners in faith? We have Skyped with our missionaries several times. They also blog so we can keep up with their doings. Many churches use Twitter, stream their services, post online videos, and more. It makes me wonder, what's next? 

What do the web, mopeds and justice have to do with each other? They’re all connected in a “Moped Justice Mission.” Jonathan and Brady are on a mission -- and they’re using the web to help spread their message.

That’s “word” with a small w, although it may also be “Word.” I’m talking about ways that the church shares their news -- especially events to which they are inviting their community. What technology, if any, works well for getting the word out?

When Christ was on the earth, he met people where they were. Does meeting people where they are involve using social networking or other types of technology? Is this even the right way to construe Jesus’ actions on earth?

Twitter has been discussed as a ministry tool, as a way to create buzz about upcoming events, send members encouraging words, meet potential new members, or even to discuss the worship service during the service itself. But what about Twitter as a way to develop empathy for others?