CHRUCH ON THE WEB: TRINITY LUTHERAN PUTS ITS SERVICES ON THE WEB FOR THE WORLD TO SEE

While some critics say churches are slow to use new technology as a way to attract new members, that isn't the case for one area congregation.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau reaches farther than its immediate neighborhood with services broadcast on the Internet.

With a Webcast service, "Living Hope" television program and a radio broadcast, Trinity reaches both its members who are unable to attend worship and people who have never set foot in the sanctuary.

"A lot of people say this is their source for spiritual lessons," said the Rev. Doug Breite, senior pastor. The television program reaches viewers in five states, and the Web offers endless possibilities.

"It doesn't minimize not being involved in worship and the personal contact with fellow members, but our mission is to make disciples of all nations. People need to make that commitment to belong to the congregation."

Breite said some members, away on vacations or business trips, can see the service by logging onto the Web.

"With flexible schedules or people on vacations or if they can't make it, they can still listen on the Net and that's been beneficial," Breite said.

Trinity and multimedia

Trinity has only broadcast its services on the Web for about two months, but its multimedia history goes back even further.

The church began with twice monthly radio broadcasts in 1934 and eventually moved to weekly radio broadcasts in 1940. By 1983, the "Living Hope" television program began airing on KFVS and cable access channel 5 in Cape Girardeau.

The "Living Hope" program has fans who write questions or send in prayer requests.

"Faith comes from hearing the word," Breite said. Though he likes to see people visit the church and join as members, watching an Internet or television broadcast can be a first step.

While many other churches broadcast services on the radio or air them on cable access, Trinity is the only Southeast Missouri church to broadcast its services live on the Internet.

The transition from television to the Internet was relatively simple because the church was already set up for broadcast, which required some special equipment like a sound booth in the balcony, bright lighting and cameras.

Worship fits broadcasts

Breite said the congregation developed its worship service so that it fits in with the media broadcasts. There is little silence during the service because that translates as dead air on the radio, so vocalists sing while offerings are collected.

Sometimes adjustments have to be made because of sound problems, but the equipment isn't invasive, Breite said. "You don't notice it after a short time. The crew is very discreet."

Usually the crew is two or three people who work for Ron Duff Video Productions. They arrive at the church at 7 a.m. each Sunday to set up for the 8 a.m. worship service. They tape the entire service, and Duff compiles a condensed version for the half-hour television program.

"More early risers watch TV at 6:30 a.m., but many mention that they also listen to the broadcast," Breite said.

When Ron Duff, who videotapes the weekly services for television, first approached the church about having an Internet broadcast, "there was no debate," Breite said. "We just moved in that direction."

The church staff maintains the Web page, which includes sermons in print and audio form and a video clip from the "Living Hope" program. The video company handles all the equipment and work necessary for transmitting on the Web.

Duff said Trinity is the only church that uses his company for broadcasting both live on the Web and on television.

Breite, who has been senior pastor at Trinity for about a year, hasn't heard of any other local church doing Web broadcasts.

"The church supports the ministry," he said. Costs of the programs are paid through memorials and special gifts donated to the church.

ON THE NET

Get more information on church Web services at these Internet sites:

*Trinity Lutheran Church: 222.t-lutheran.org

*Lutheran Church Missouri Synod: www.lcms.org

*Ron Duff Video Productions: www.ronduffvideoproductions.com