ECHO CONFERENCE MOVING FORWARD WITH JESUS EVERYWHERE
by Bernie Smith
“Today it is becoming difficult to find a full-time pastor who isn’t using computer technology in his work – from drafting sermon notes with his computer to using the Internet for researching sermon illustrations and ideas. “With streaming audio and video on many church web sites, a pastor can even sit in his office and listen to other great preachers from around the world.”
Technology has replaced a lot of traditional elements. Some are things that I am not sure need to be changed, but technology has also enhanced worship to a great degree. “We’ve gone from picking up a hymn book and singing a song to looking at lyrics on the wall or screen in worship."
Barna released his report about the extent to which churches are using technology. From a church's website and e-mail blasts to its use of a projector and video clips, some of the highlights of the survey include:
• Nearly six out of every ten Protestant churches (57%) now have a website. That is up from just one-third of all Protestant churches in 2000, an increase of 68%.
• Among the churches most likely to have a website today are those located in the western states (62%), large churches (84%), and churches whose congregation is primarily white (62%).
• More than six out of every ten Protestant churches (62%) presently use a large-screen projection system in their communications. That is up 59% since 2000, when just 39% used this technology.
• A majority of churches sends e-mail blasts to their congregations. Such technology was relatively inaccessible to churches at the start of the millennium, but 56% now rely on the process for reaching their people.
• Six out of ten Protestant churches (61%) integrate video content into their worship services. That is double the proportion of Protestant churches that did so just five years ago. Incorporating live drama into worship services is also typical these days, with 62% of churches using such presentations in those settings.
George Barna unsurprisingly concludes that "during the next half of this decade we expect increased broadband access, podcasting, and ubiquitous adoption of handheld mobile computing devices by consumers to further alter the way churches conduct ministry.”
Technology is allowing more and more Churches to participate in God’s global purpose. The Echo Conference mission will encompass all things media – visual, web, music, technology – and hopes to resound the truth of Christ through the power of media and technology. It will be a gathering place for church leaders to discover new and creative forms and uses of media. We hope to inspire church leaders to creatively use media to serve the church body and to reach those outside the church.
The more we explore original uses of media in the church, the better equipped we will be to communicate the greatest message on earth. Join church leaders from all over the country for incredible keynote sessions, innovative breakout classes, and hands-on training – with each dedicated to media and its impact on the church.
Developing our ability to express God’s truth through different forms of media better prepares us to see God’s story woven into our culture and to share that story with those around us. We hope you will be a part of this inspired experience!
I had a chance to talk with Jeff Parker from IGNITER MEDIA about what God is going to do in the Echo Conference. This is what Jeff had to say about the conference.
GMM: When did the Echo Conference first start?
Jeff: This is our first year to do the Echo Conference. Echo is a sister company of Igniter Media, WorshipHouse Media and Collide Magazine. As those companies have grown into the church media realm, we really saw a need for a conference that was dedicated to the use of media in the church.
GMM: What does this conference have to offer?
Jeff: When you boil it down, we want to offer two things: (1) The practical how-to, and (2) the inspirational why-to. From the practical side, we really want our attendees to walk away from our conference with a better understanding of the various technologies that are available to them as well as simple ideas that they can implement into their respective ministries. Inspirationally, we hope that being around so many other creative people discussing how our God is creative for three days will stir people to continue to use all possible means to excellently declare the gospel.
GMM: How has technology change the way we do services?
Jeff: Technology, especially video and the use of screens, has offered the church one more sense to consistently appeal to. In many ways, videos are used as the new parables. It's interesting to see how different people in the same audience can watch the same video and have completely unique take-a-ways.
GMM: Why is technology so important?
Jeff: I think technology is important as long as remember its place. Technology should never and can never replace the message we are sharing. But I think technology is important because it breaks down through various constraints that we've had in the past. Now, sermons aren't dead the minute they are finished and people don't physically have to be present to hear them. They can live on via podcasts, etc. for many years and are accessible world-wide. The Internet has revolutionized ways that ministries interact with people across the world. That's pretty powerful. The Internet has removed so many barriers.
GMM: What are some of the major challenges facing the Echo Conference?
Jeff: I say the major challenge facing Echo is just making sure that we remember that technology is just a means to an end. I pray that we don't get caught up in engaging pop culture or using some new technology just for the sake of it. We have to employ media to further glorify God's name not just make us cooler people.
GMM: What would you like to see God do in this conference?
Jeff: Ultimately, I align myself to what God desires for this conference. In my limited perspective, I'd like to see God develop leaders and influencers that creatively use media and the arts. There once was a time when Christians were the leaders in the various arts. I'd like to see us return to those times.
GMM: What advice would you give to new pastors and church leaders?
Jeff: My main advice when it comes to technology is don't be short-sighted into thinking that something isn't traditional and thus not worthwhile. I think 1 Corinthians 9:22 apply here. Church leaders and pastors must leverage culture and its technology offerings.
GMM: Can you tell us about the future plans for Echo Conference?
Jeff: We are still evaluating our future plans for Echo. We currently envision this to be an annual conference, but this event will be our first. So depending on how it goes, it could be our last. But we love the idea of helping educate and inspire church leaders to think strategically and purposefully about how to use media, culture and technology to further God's name ... a conference is a great way to execute on this passion.
Jeff Parker | jeff@ignitermedia.com
IGNITER MEDIA | Creating Media. Declaring Truth
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