For perhaps the first time in our denomination's history, we are able to use technology effectively to bridge gaps of isolationism. We use e-mail to connect instantly with people across the country. We access the Internet to discover the latest news about our church's disaster response. We search the denomination's website for the location of a church in an area that we intend to visit.
Technology allows us to become connected in ways that were never possible before. If a congregation has its own website, it becomes a way for members to connect to each other. Some churches have all of their members on an e-mail list where they receive prayer requests throughout the week, the bulletin on the Friday before worship, and a copy of the sermon on Monday. A presbytery website provides a way for ministers and elders to stay connected to presbytery business. A synod website expands that sense of community.
When all 960 congregational websites, plus presbytery websites, plus synod websites, plus the denominational website are interconnected, amazing things can happen. The denomination becomes a community; the nation becomes a village.
I have a dream. It consists of a computer in every church, and a website for every church, presbytery and synod. All of them interconnected with the denominational website. Interconnected. A common News page for all where the latest stories are posted: a prayer request by an overseas partner, a story of the latest disaster, the official opening of a new church, the induction of a new minister. This is where community happens.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada has traditionally communicated more formally through the courts of the church. Official church business continues to be conducted through the courts, by way of dockets, minutes, motions, recommendations, overtures and the Barrier Act. That is an essential part of who we are as Presbyterians.
The Internet allows for a more informal communication among Presbyterians and even between the courts of the church. Technology tends to blur boundaries. Communication becomes a level playing field where church, presbytery, synod and national office interact regularly and easily.
In this dream, the denominational website is part of an integrated network with presbyteries and congregations. This is where information is shared, where church treasurers submit statistical information to the national office in a password-protected environment, where news about Presbyterians Sharing… can be shared throughout the year, where congregations talk about their best practices … all with appropriate security where required.
A website also provides a more formal way for a congregation or presbytery to tell its story. It is a place where ministry can be celebrated and where various committees and groups can post their documents. It is also a growing place for community: where groups or individuals engage in discussions or chats, or post pictures.
New software programs make it possible to create an interactive News page that is common to all 1,000 websites — where changes to one page can automatically change the News page of all websites so that all share similar stories.
It will be possible to create music files of hymns from the Book of Praise or other contemporary songs that can be downloaded and taught. Appropriate copyright approvals would be in place to do that.
There are plans to enhance the appearance and capabilities of the national website (www.presbyterian.ca) so that it becomes more interactive: more discussion forums, the introduction of blogging to accompany news stories, a library of audio and video clips.
Technology will help Presbyterians develop an interest in life beyond their own congregation. Meanwhile, those congregations are also revitalized and energized. Technology will not make this happen; only people will. This therefore will only begin to happen if the commitment is in place at the presbytery and congregational levels.
