Friday, February 26, 2010
Technology brings the mission field to church
The Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle recently Skyped with a missionary in Honduras.
By Erica Dolson, Sentinel Reporter, February 25, 2010
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For the Presbyterian Church of the United States, the goal has been to make mission work both faithful and effective.
While that goal will always be met through outreach to countries and people who are less fortunate, in today’s virtual world, it can also be reached through blogs, Skype and podcasts.
“Technology has really taken over all parts of our lives, and the church is not immune,” said Eric Hinderliter, a missionary co-worker staying in Carlisle as guests of the Second Presbyterian Church.
Last month, the Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle became the first church in the Carlisle Presbytery to use Skype as a way to communicate with a missionary in Honduras.
Between 15 and 20 congregation members attended the hour-long session to hear about missionary Mark Wright’s experiences in Honduras and the work of establishing a Presbyterian church in the country.
The Second Presbyterian Church recently made a five-year mission commitment to Honduras.
“First and foremost, (it) just put it out there in front of our congregation,” said Vicki Lantz, director of Christian education at Second Presbyterian Church. “It’s even more than just being able to see it on TV... I think it just makes it more real.”
Although he doesn’t have exact numbers, the use of Skype, a free Internet-based phone tool, and blogging among missionaries to share their experiences has grown in recent years, said Ben Albers, associate for missionary personnel relations with the Presbyterian Church USA.
“I think it is both the educational aspect of it and the personal connection of it,” Albers said.
Although technology is not a required part of mission work, and can be accompanied by challenges such as spotty Internet connection and security concerns in other countries, the use of Skype and blogs is often included as part of communication discussions during missionary training and retreats, Albers added.
“It always comes up because it is an opportunity to share,” he said.
The Presbyterian Church USA has also recently launched monthly podcasts and follow-up webinars to connect churches to mission work, said Ellen Sherby, facilitator for education and resources for missions with Presbyterian World Mission.
“People want to get involved in missions ... and we want to offer ourselves as a resource,” Sherby said. “We want people to have tools that will engage in missions that are more faithful and effective.”
Each podcast (available at www.pcusa.org) is centered around a theme and includes commentary from long-term and short-term mission workers, as well as a reflection on Scripture, Sherby said.
The Second Presbyterian Church would like to continue Skyping in the future, Lantz said. They hope to connect with four of their own missionaries traveling to Honduras soon and form relationships with pastors and lay leaders currently in the country, she added.
“(Technology) has revolutionized missions in many senses,” Hinderliter said.
Traditionally, Christian mission work lasted for long periods of time, with the missionaries kept mostly out of contact, Hinderliter said. Now, instant communication has allowed missionaries to stay connected and allowed congregations to feel part of a broader world, but it can still leave some people and countries behind, he added.
“We can’t mistake this for real physical presence, for touch and compassion. Technology has its limits, and there’s still something greater,” Hinderliter said. “There’s nothing like being there in terms of perspective and seeing real need and offering tangible service.”
“What we hope they can do is bring the voices of people in missions and our global partners to the ears of (the congregation),” Sherby said.
