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Web 2.0 with Bobby Gruenwald
Worship Leader: Tell us a little about what Church Online is: Bobby: At LifeChurch.tv, Church Online is a community of people that gather each week for services that include an interactive video presentation of worship and teaching, a live chat environment, one-on-one live prayer, and integration with social networks. In recent weeks, people from more than 140 countries have attended experiences, averaging over 3,000 simultaneous viewers per week.
We launched Church Online
(http://internet.lifechurch.tv/), first known as our Internet Campus, in 2006. Previously, we had seen community forming online around all sorts of interests and causes, from video games to car racing. We wondered what God could do with an online community that was centered on bringing people closer to Him. As technology improved and high-speed internet access became more widespread, the timing was right to venture into online ministry.
Since those early days, we've learned a lot, and we're still learning as we go. But one thing has remained consistent throughout the past three years: our purpose for Church Online is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ, just as it is at our physical campuses. And it's been amazing to see how God has worked within this web-based ministry. Every week, stories of transformed lives pour in from around the globe... people who were feeling empty and without hope; people who were confused, lonely, and seeking; people who have turned away from dangerous decisions and destructive patterns.
Worship Leader: Who are the primary recipients of this type of ministry? Bobby: A wide variety of people show up at Church Online, and you could loosely describe the community there in four segments:
Distant: people who are outside the physical reach of the Church
Curious: people who would prefer to explore their interest in spirituality in an online context
Mobile: people who are a part of our church, but are looking for an option to worship together because they are traveling or displaced
Digital: people who prefer to experience much of their community in an online context
Worship Leader: As many churches evaluate opportunities for online ministry, what are some things to keep in mind?Bobby: 1. Start small-smaller than you think. The temptation is to assume that more = better...that adding layers of complexity will create a richer experience. Go with a simple approach in the beginning, and bring your best effort to those few elements you determine are crucial. It's more sustainable, and will give you the margin to adapt and evaluate over time.
2. The basics for an online church experience? Video worship and teaching accompanied by an interactive element. There are several free tools like
Livestream and
UStream that can help you integrate video and chat (though if the advertising becomes distracting, you may want to consider paid versions or other alternatives).
3. Upgrade audio quality before video quality. Web video tends to be more forgiving, but with poor audio, you run the risk of sounding like an amateur home video. Invest in quality equipment and mic your communicator appropriately.
4. It's about connection, not cool. Don't miss the importance of community within online ministry. We're there to connect people to Christ and each other within a loving, supportive, and active community.
Bobby Gruenewald Oversees the LifeChurch.tv Open, Network, and United operations. Prior to joining the LifeChurch.tv team in 2001, he started and sold two technology companies, consulted with start-ups on venture capital funds, and even traveled and performed with a Christian rap group. Blog: swerve.lifechurch.tv
twitter.com/bobbygwald
This is an excerpt from Worship Leader magazine. To read more articles like this - click here to subscribe.
