October 30, 2009
Churches connect with parishioners online
by Kate Shellnutt
Chicago Tribune
At Park Community Church, hymn lyrics are projected on glowing screens, links to biblical messages are sent out on Twitter, announcements are made on Facebook and church leaders take text-messaged questions from the congregation during services.
With help from experts in Web strategy, graphic design and marketing, more large Chicago-area churches are creating interactive ministries to connect with new members, even the coveted young-adult demographic.
"We see the potential that technology has to expand the kingdom of God," said Tim Schraeder, 26, the communications director for Park Community, where the average age is 29. Schraeder, who has been marketing outside the contemporary, nondenominational church to bring more parishioners in, is part of a growing network of church staffers taking on more technical roles.
On Tuesday, 250 Web-savvy Christians -- from blogging pastors to iPhone programmers -- gathered at Park Community for Cultivate 09, an interactive conference on ministry communication, which includes marketing strategy. More than a third of Americans younger than 50 don't have a religious affiliation, according to a 2008 study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, but conference organizers say Web-based campaigns help bring younger, "unchurched" people into the Christian community.
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