Online study is growing trend among churches

High school senior Brandon Haskins does his daily Bible study and journal entry online through an Internet-based resource offered by Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church.

October 24, 2005

A UMC.org Feature
By Renee Elder*

A lot can happen in 40 years.

That's the first thing Jim Swinning learned when he rejoined the church after a long absence and signed up for a refresher course on the United Methodist denomination.

Rather than gathering in a church parlor or Sunday school room, Swinning's United Methodism 101 class met online and included participants from across the nation.

"There was a little bit of a learning curve, but not too much," says the University City, Texas, retiree of his virtual class-room experience. "I especially liked the history part. And I liked the fact that I could do it whenever I wanted to in my
own home. There was no stress at all."

Internet-based programs—ranging from orientation classes to Bible study and online discussion groups—are a growing trend among churches and other Christian ministries. Ease of use and flexibility are key reasons, says Julie Lewis, online technical coordinator for United Methodist Communications.

"It means that no one has to be at the same place at a certain time," Lewis says. "It's entertaining…and for many, they feel better sharing experiences or asking questions as part of an online discussion group rather than face-to-face."

United Methodist Communications created UM 101 in 2003, and the course already has been used by more than 1,000 people to learn basics about the denomination.

"It has been very successful in allowing people in the pews to get a sense of what the denomination is all about in an easy-to-access way," says Lewis.

Online resources have also made their way into Christian publishing. The United Methodist Publishing House is growing its online resources as the market becomes more Internet-savvy and comfortable with cyber-study, says Harriett Olson, senior vice president for publishing. Current offerings range from online magazines to downloadable materials to webstreaming. Each week, almost 2,500 people utilize the publisher’s online current events supplement to connect its Adult Bible Studies series to contemporary issues.

At LifeWay Christian Resources, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, online Bible studies by author Beth Moore are among the most popular, says Andrew Young, Internet service coordinator at LifeWay.

"Through our Beth Moore studies, we found there is a need for self-study," Young says.

Some individual churches are also introducing Internet-based classes and programs. At Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio, the Internet connection is so strong that the congregation has dedicated a staff position to developing online resources.

The church's 4,000 members engage in Bible study and take Sunday school classes via the Internet. There's even wireless Web access in the sanctuary, offering the potential for interactive worship.

"The hot item right now at Ginghamsburg is our Transformation Journal," says Mark Stephenson, director of cyber-ministry and technology for the church.

The Transformation Journal is a popular Internet-based Bible study being offered by Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church.

Weekly introductory text and daily Scripture readings are offered in both paper and online versions. In the online version, participants write journal entries that are encrypted so they are only accessible by the author. The resource also includes a community forum where participants can discuss topics online
with each other.

High school senior Brandon Haskins likes to log on to Transformation Journal first thing every morning so he can reflect on the Scripture lesson throughout the day. “I like it because I can work it into my day so easily,” says Haskins.

Stephenson believes the Internet has great potential for disseminating Christian teachings to a wider audience.

"We are often poor stewards of the gifts that are given to us," he says. "We have incredibly talented teachers who spend large amounts of time researching and building a lesson that they teach to 20 or 30 people in a room. If we take that same gifted person and their hard work and put a camera in the back of the class, that same person could teach hundreds or thousands maybe. And that lesson could become part of a worldwide resource for Christian teaching."

Along with enhancing options for cyber-learning, the Internet is becoming an effective community-building tool.

At Church of the Resurrection, a United Methodist Congregation in Kansas City, about 70 members, all in their 20s, interact daily through an online discussion board.

"It's an interactive experience that includes anything from discussions of faith to posting prayer requests, to finding out about ministry possibilities," says Janelle Baker, young adult program director. The online discussions are supplemented by weekly face-to-face gatherings.

"It's an easy way, especially for people our age, to stay connected, and it is the best way to gain information these days," Baker says. "The online discussion board allows us to create community wherever there is access to a computer. It helps people grow together and grow towards God."

This article includes Online Learning Tips for leaders.

*Elder is a freelance writer based in Raleigh, N.C.

News media contact: Cindy Caldwell, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5132 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

This resource was developed by UMC.org, the official online ministry of The United Methodist Church.