As our connected communities grow, from food buffs of a multitude of colours and hues, to, well you name it, religion is clearly not going to be left on the shelf.
First published in the New York Times Aug. 29, 2005
Missed Church? No Worries, Download It to Your IPod explores how religion has taken to the new technology.
Kyle Lewis, 25, missed going to church one Sunday last month. But he did not miss the sermon.Mr. Lewis, who regularly attends services of the National Community Church in Alexandria, Va., listened to the sermon while he was at the gym, through a recording he had downloaded to his iPod. Instead of listening to the rock music his gym usually plays, he heard his pastor's voice.
Having an iPod is a guaranteed way to get the sermon if you're going to be out of town, Mr. Lewis said, adding that he listens to the pastor's podcast at least once more during the week, usually while driving to work, even during weeks he makes it to services.
Podcasting or godcasting as the the Rev. Mark Batterson calls it believes has brought new parishoners to his church via theaterchurch.com
He says:
I can't possibly have a conversation with everyone each Sunday. But this builds toward a digital discipleship, we're orthodox in belief but unorthodox in practice.
The New York Times reported that Odeo a podcast directory, plans to encourage more churches, synagogues and mosques to use podcasts, Adam Rugel, the Web site's director of content. Odeo lists a broad range of religious podcasts, including programs from Buddhists, Muslims and Jews.
The Reverend Tim based in El Sobrante, Calif., makes two 15-minute podcasts a week about family and work issues. He said an average of 6,000 people downloaded the program from the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. Again a small audience in terms of mass media, but then how big do you want your congregation to be?
Reportedly one of the most popular Christian podcasts, Catholic Insider already exceeds 10,000 listeners for each program. and I recommend that you go and check out the site as its cool in the extreme.
And the quote of the piece by Father Vonhögen
Podcasting for us has been a resurrection of radio, it's the connection to a new generation
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