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UMCom adopts plan to lead church into digital age

 


UMCom adopts plan to lead church into digital age

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
A UMNS photo by Harry Leake

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, Cranberry Township, Pa., addresses the governing directors of United Methodist Communications.
Feb. 28, 2005

By Ginny Underwood*

MARLBORO, Mass. (UMNS)—Using the latest technology, United Methodist Communications is embarking on a new course to better serve the church around the world.

The agency’s governing directors, meeting Feb. 23-26, voted to enter into a $1.2 million partnership with Kintera Inc., a San Diego-based provider of technology services to nonprofit organizations. The move will allow UMCom to build a technology infrastructure for meeting the growing expectations of a multimedia world.

"We’re not willing to just be satisfied with a good media campaign," said Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the Commission on Communication, referring to the denomination’s welcoming and advertising program. "We realize there has to be a convergence of the Internet and cell phone technology and emerging media across the globe if we’re going to continue to be relevant in communicating our message."

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
A UMNS photo by Harry Leake

Bishop Joao Somane Machado, a member of the Commission on Communication, comments on the changes planned for United Methodist Communications.
"The commission has affirmed the reality that the world has changed—that digital media have changed how we perceive the world, how we relate to each other and how we act out our faith in the world," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, top staff executive of United Methodist Communications. "In doing that, this becomes a priority for us to lead the church toward that new reality."

Kintera provides nonprofit organizations with Web-based resources for building communities, improving communications, creating and managing content, and sharing information in real time, according to its Web site. Clients include UNICEF, the American Cancer Society and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Other general church agencies are considering entering into relationships with Kintera—a development that would improve collaboration among the agencies and the distribution of resources to local churches.

UMCom’s new Kintera partnership, funded through the agency’s budget, will support the work of the Central Conference Communications Initiative, mandated by the denomination’s top legislative assembly in 2004. Through the initiative, the agency is working to improve communication systems and resources for church members in Europe, Africa and Asia.

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
A UMNS photo by Harry Leake

The Rev. Larry Hollon
"The function that this agency has, as a global communications agency on behalf of the whole church, is that we step outside of a particular culture and recognize that we are a part of a global community," Hollon said.

"This is a new page for our United Methodist Church," said Bishop Joao Somane Machado, a commission member and leader of the church’s Mozambique Area. "Communication is the key for our work of making disciples in the world. To be in this agency, to be at this changing … is exciting."

Between now and 2008, the Central Conference Initiative will assess the communications needs of each non-U.S. conference. United Methodist Communications staff will work with central conference bishops to develop strategies for each area based on specific needs. UMCom will also help build relationships between those conferences and their U.S. counterparts, and general boards and agencies.

Possibilities include buying radio transmitters for community-based radio ministries; deploying HAM radios in areas ravaged or isolated by war; providing training in computer software, journalism writing, public relations, Internet usage, and radio and television ministry; improving Internet access and services; and creating partnerships with U.S. annual conferences to sponsor training for central conference communicators.

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
A UMNS photo by Harry Leake

Bishop Thomas Bickerton outlines strategy for United Methodist Communications.
"We are very supportive of the UMCom staff in taking bold steps to get the message of the church in a timely fashion out to the people who need to know the story of the good news of Christ, as it is exemplified in the various ministries that are happening across the church," Bickerton said.

"I think the general church needs to know that this is a commission that is not afraid to step out and do what it needs to do to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ."

A recent example is the production of "God, Why?", a CD and DVD resource focusing on how God is present amid natural disasters such as the Dec. 26 tsunami in Asia and Africa. Commission members watched the resource’s video, in which pastors, bishops and others discussed how God is at work in the aftermath of the tsunami. "God, Why" is available for sale to individuals and study groups. Details are available at www.umc.org.

*Underwood is director of United Methodist News Service, the official news agency of the United Methodist Church. UMNS is a unit of United Methodist Communications.

News media contact: Ginny Underwood, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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