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Churches open door to ministry on the Web

Photo contributed by Joshua Norman

Bennie Greene, left, chairman of Media Services for Hopewell Baptist, and Ken Mull, sound technician for Hopewell Baptist, work on a recent Sunday morning to get the churches services online.

By Tracy Farnham | The News Herald

Published: December 29, 2008

MORGANTON - Much like an interactive church bulletin, local congregations are embracing the Internet to broaden the scope of ministry and stay in touch with members.
Hopewell Baptist Church uses the Web for their church calendar, prayer requests and member contacts. Josh Norman, who handles media and technology for Hopewell, said they had a test run in October for previously recorded services over the Internet.
"We record all our services and broadcast them on the Internet. We went full streaming with our Sunday morning services in November," Norman said.
Norman runs In His Service Productions in Morganton that provides programming of special events, video duplications and promotional videos.
Norman doesn't necessarily perform Web designs, but handles more video. "We are letting folks know what's available and making sure they don't get taken advantage of when it comes to compatibility," he said. Basically, Norman is available for video production.
During regular services at Hopewell Baptist, Norman said three cameras are set up to record the various aspects of the morning worship service to be transmitted over the Web. These cameras were used during Christmas Eve to broadcast messages to loved ones serving in the armed forces.
"The pastor offered the possibility during the community Thanksgiving service to send messages from loved ones here to loved ones in the Army on Christmas Eve," Norman said.
Other than the invitation given by the pastor, invitations were presented to all of the congregations in the Catawba River Baptist Association, Laura Whittington the church secretary said. "Letters were sent to all of the pastors to let their congregations know about this," she said.
The messages were recorded so if a loved one stationed abroad wasn't at a computer, their messages would be broadcast to the Web and could be viewed at a later time, Norman added. All of this is made possible by using a Tri-caster that records the services to a special box and then it is recorded for shut- ins on DVD format or streamed to the Web site live, he said.
"We post these on our Web site for those to view at a later date and they run up to four or five weeks back," Norman said.
Shut-ins aren't the only one's benefitting, but college students and those serving in missionary status as well. "Some of the folks have gone off to school or are in the ministry or they're sick and can't get here and see the service so they can see it live," Norman said.
Prior to the Christmas Eve service, the cameras were set up for appointments where anyone in the community could come in to record their message for loved ones.
Utilizing the Web just made connecting a little easier for the local church as well as sharing the message beyond the four walls of the church. Norman said, "We are averaging between 25 and 30 folks who are tuning in to watch the services on Sunday mornings. I keep track of where we get the hits from and some are out of town."
Another aspect of the Web site is the option to chat. Norman said this aspect hasn't been fully utilized, yet. Many congregations have begun signing up on the Mychurch.org where a profile of the church can be listed along with the opportunity to chat online like a social network for the Christian community. Podcasts of the sermons can be posted on the Mychurch Web site and tithes can even be received for a monthly fee.
Member of Riverside Baptist Church on NC 126 in Morganton, Deborah Brown, said the church uses its Web site to post sermons, and scripture from the Bible can be viewed along with all of the books of the Bible available as well as eschatology, a study of the last days events.
Along with offering free sermon outlines, questions may be asked and submitted to Dr. Raymond Rowland. The Web site has information about ordering a CD or tapes with messages through the Bible by Rowland. These are free and can be received by following the links on the site at www.afocusonchrist.com.