This document discusses how churches are using the internet to communicate and engage with members and potential converts. It notes that 30% of internet users in 2002 had used the web for religious purposes, representing growth of 94% since 2000. The document then discusses how technological changes have impacted religious practices over centuries and examines why churches are now using the internet. It explores how churches communicate through one-to-many and many-to-many models online and questions who participates and has access. The remainder analyzes specific church uses of blogs, social media and live streaming of events to build participation and relations online.

1. Access and participation•access & public policy•who participates?The Church as a case study Convergent Media Practices BCM112 University of Wollongong 04/04/2011

2. Stefan Gelfgren stefan.gelfgren@humlab.umu.se http://churchandinternet.wordpress.com http:// twitter.com/stefangelfgren

5. Why the internet? Once again gain relevance (in a secular society) Be present where people are - convert new souls Internal communication Web 2.0 as a role model and to learn from it Participation, building relations, networking …

7. Who participate and have access?- One to many (for example from the pulpit)? - The pastor/priest/ordained - Many to many (for example via internet)? - Anyone with skills and interest

8. Considered to give new possibilities for the Church Commitment Creativity Participatory culture Web 2.0 Church 2.0? UCC Relations Network

9. Blogs

10. Facebook

11. dszfs Twitter

12. Miscellaneous

13. Winter conference 2011 – joint venture between different denominations – web presence through converging media

14. Livets Ord’s European Conference 2010 Benny Hinn event – with blogs, live-stream, twitter feed ...

15. What happens when people get open access to religious faith and practices? Pluralisation Competition Adaptation Subjectivisation See also: http://www.techandreligion.com/Resources/Gelfgren%20JTTR.pdf