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Higher Tech
Ambitious ministries aim to take the message virtually anywhere.| Outcomes, Apr/May 2008
Skype. Podcasting. Video streaming. Blogging. Touch screens. Voice recognition.
We live in an age that almost deifies technology, but even the most impressive examples are just tools. But ingeniously wired to a sound strategic vision, these virtual wonders are helping ministries tell stories, build internal morale, raise money, and expand an organization's influence. And the ones on the cutting edge are carefully exploring how to exploit other technological options.
Evangelicals are nothing if not media-savvy. In 1951, Charles Fuller's Old Fashioned Revival Hour radio broadcast was spreading gospel songs around the world on 650 ABC network stations. Less than a decade later, Pat Robertson established the first Christian television network and launched 24-hour Christian programming via satellite. Today, the Jesus Film has become the most-watched movie in history, with an estimated 5.6 billion viewings.
And that's just the beginning, as several key Christian ministries are discovering. With big dreams, due diligence, and careful execution, groups are leveraging technology's potential for kingdom results.
Global Communications Challenge
With a presence on five continents, Crown Financial Ministries recently faced a communications challenge of global proportion. "We wanted to look beyond the dizzying forest of e-mail update, and static website messages," says Ben LeVan, Vice President for Human Resources, "and find a better, more engaging way to bring the organization's message to staff, volunteers, constituents and a staff and external audiences."
Founded in 1976, the interdenominational ministry equips people to learn, apply, and teach biblical financial principles. Headquarted outside Atlanta, Crown has offices in more than 40 countries and plans to open several more during the next five years.
Last fall, two realities converged, and a highly personable high-tech solution emerged. Crown's new ceo, Chuck Bentley, wanted to connect, person-to-person, with everyone in the organization. Internet video streaming offered the perfect vehicle for a weekly five-minute video update, which Bentley began last September. The messages, which Bentley and other staff leaders deliver, have hit home with Crown's people. Crown is investing in live video conferencing technology to allow interactive meetings across the globe and further enhance the organization's ability to communicate.
"For an organization that's so spread out, geographically, it's difficult to keep the community current and aligned," says Bentley. "The video update transcends borders and miles so that anyone with point-and-click capability can feel part of the nucleus." LeVan adds that Crown's employees have developed a habit of spreading Bentley's anecdotes and jokes to family and friends.
