ROCKWALL, TX (October 24, 2014) Maybe you’ve noticed — worship services don’t just happen on Sunday morning at the local church anymore. Often these days, worship happens in front of a computer screen.
But online worship is still relatively new, and church leaders have many how-to questions. So, where can they go to learn about launching or growing an online ministry? A number were drawn recently to the iMinistry Conference hosted October 14-16 by Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall.
The objective of the annual conference is to provide a forum for sharing details about how to do online church using the latest technology tools and ministry applications. Topics range from the basics (What platform? What provider?) to advanced areas (online groups; mission projects) and includes everything in between.
What began as a small local conference a short time ago is now attracting national and international interest. Since its initial launch three years ago, the iMinistry Conference has doubled in attendance. This year’s conference attracted leaders from 30 churches and 15 states across the U.S., from Washington state to Florida, and from multiple countries around the world, among them Canada and Israel.
There is good reason for the growing interest in the local event, according to Conference Leader and Lake Pointe Church Internet Pastor, Nate Merrill.
“The iMinistry Conference is the only gathering in the nation that is focused specifically on helping church leaders who are considering launching their online ministry or who have already begun their online ministry and are ready to go to the next level,” Merrill said.
Why is there a need for online worship and a conference about it when everyone can go to a church right down the street? For some, going to church is stressful. Online church offers a transition opportunity. Others are unable to attend because of physical limitations. Online church removes that barrier to worship. Still others are not “right down the street” from church – like the group of 30-40 that regularly worships online through Lake Pointe Church…from their home in Pakistan.
In a world that thrives on information and social media, where going to a church right down the street may be either impractical or impossible, keeping pace with the interests and needs of the faith community is a challenge. The iMinistry Conference team is working to assist and support church leaders in meeting that challenge.
For more information about the iMinistry Conference, go to http://iministryconference.org/
Submitted by Kay Maxwell, Internet Church Volunteer, Lake Pointe Church. Photos courtesy of Lake Pointe Church.
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