By Peter Biggs

THE SPREAD of the gospel in the first century was greatly enhanced by the stable, safe and well designed infrastructure that the Roman dominated world enjoyed, refered to as the Pax Romana of its time. The internet, despite having a dark, indeed sinful side, is a new infrastructure that can carry information, indeed two way communication, in ways unimaginable only a few decades ago.

According to Internet World Stats, with a current world population of around 6.5 billion, over 1 billion people, (or 15.7 percent) are using the internet. In North America this rises to 68.6 percent of the the population or around 227 million. Figures report a remarkable 94 percent of Canadian teens having internet in their home. Whist exact numbers are unavailable it is clear that the vast majority of church members are linked to the internet.

It has been argued that the success of Martin Luther and the Reformation in the 1600s rested on the printing press, Luther could reach the whole of Germany with his 39 articles of faith in 30 days. The printing press however pales alongside the efficiency of the world wide web. As a "community with a message", the web is potentially the most efficient delivery system ever seen.

The remarkable Wikipedia - a user generated online encyclopedia states it well.

"The Web, as it stands today, has allowed global interpersonal exchange on a scale unprecedented in human history. People separated by vast distances, or even large amounts of time, can use the Web to exchange - or even mutually develop - their most intimate and extensive thoughts, or alternately their most casual attitudes and spirits. Emotional experiences, political ideas, cultural customs, musical idioms, business advice, artwork, photographs, literature, can all be shared and disseminated digitally with less individual investment than ever before in human history."

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Virtually every local church and ministry now has a web site. Most include, basic information, eg. service times, staff profiles, statements of faith. Some provide an online version of the weekly bulletin, and downloadable mp3 audio files of sermons. Larger churches provide video feeds of services.

Notably absent from church websites is the ability for members to use it for feedback or connection. Kevin Schut - Assistant Professor - Trinity Western University Department of Communications (Media Studies) comments:

"Most church web sites are merely "information boards," and certainly only work one way."

Few church sites encourage members to talk back, contribute content, such as testimonies, photos, stories or audio. Fewer still have site forums to allow discussion groups giving, for instance, sermon feedback. Within churches special interest groups, be they ministry related or recreational could be formed and maintained using the web.

The recent release of Apple's iPhone further signals the desire of users to receive 'media' anytime, anywhere, and many kinds using such portable devices. This includes easy access to intenet based news, entertainment, information, maps...etc) as well as personal communication of various types (voice, email, text messages, pics and short videos) that allow for an unprecedented social networking.

Just where is the church in levering such digital opportunities? In our next article, we will examine options that are emerging.

Peter Biggs, a local church pastor for 20 years, recently completed his senior management certificate in Web Development and New Media at British Columbia Institute of Technology; he is instrumental in the design of this website.

July 12/2007