People have offer a lot of reasons for not attending church. People who travel often do not have access to a familiar church. Church-goers can be homebound due to employment, weather, illness or care-giving. Some families may not have churches that work with their dynamics; the churches may not provide child-care or children's programs. Sometimes people feel lazy and would rather stay under the covers than go to church. Whatever the reason, anyone can maintain a relationship with God by attending an Internet church or downloading church podcasts.
Attending an Internet Church Service
Lifechurch's Internet Church Campus offers a true online church service with music, fellowship, a sermon, and discussion groups. The regularly scheduled services are streamed live, and there are archived messages available on the website. The church also makes Youversion, an online Bible and Bible app.
Participation is achieved on a variety of levels. Users can watch sermons without registering, or they can register and participate in online chats in the "lobby" and talk to other users before (and during) the streaming message. There are opportunities to virtually "raise hands" and answer the questions of the internet minister, a chance to give money to the church (just as the plate is passed in a regular church service), and an opportunity to become a committed Christian.
The church website includes ways for members of the church to serve online, such as hosting a chat in the lobby, offering live prayers, and offering technical support.
Lifechurch has different pastors facilitating the online service, who provide a framework for the streaming messages, which are usually delivered by founder and senior pastor Craig Groeschel. The church is an evangelical Christian denomination.
Downloading a Church Podcast
Many churches make their services available as podcasts. Although they do not offer the fellowship of an online church community, downloading a church podcast may help travelers and other people who can not attend their regular service stay connected to the church. Using iTunes or an alternative podcast software (such as Amarok), users download podcasts and listen to the files at their convenience. It is possible to listen to services in the car, on the treadmill, on airplanes, or anywhere that one can bring an MP3 player.
iTunes offers many free church podcasts, and most of them are available through any podcaster. The most popular church service podcasts include:
- Joel Osteen Audio Podcast, which is from Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
- Mars Hill Bible Church, which is in Grandville Michigan. The podcast says that, "In addition to an mp3 file of the teaching, a pdf of supplementary material is often provided."
- The Village Church Audio Sermon, which has two Texas church campuses.
Finding a church podcast is as easy as going to one's church website and searching for the link. Podcasts are recording during services, so listeners will hear regular announcements and music in addition to the sermon. Another resource to find podcasts is Podcast Directory.
For people who want to maintain their relationship with Jesus, or for people who want to be introduced to Christianity online, podcast services offer an easy way to explore different service styles and find a church that meets personal needs. Christian theology can be found in unexpected places: Toy Story 3 has Christian ideas.
Related Reading:
- Motivational Books for Young Adults: eBooks by the Harris Twins
- Spring Clean Your Body and Soul through Lent
- Podcast Review: Daily Audio Bible and Daily Audio Bible for Kids
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
