FUTURE OF RELIGION: CHURCHES USE NEWFANGLED TECHNOLOGY, OLD-FASHIONED MESSAGES

No one can predict exactly where the church is headed in this new millennium, but it's certainly trying to keep up with changes in technology and culture.

"We target our culture and make sure we are meeting needs, but we don't want to compromise the gospel," said DeeDee Wilson, program director at La Croix United Methodist Church.

Today's churches are looking for ways to use technology as a means of enhancing worship and ministering daily to members' needs.

The church watches how technology changes and how it is used in the secular world and then tries to "figure out how to use those elements," Wilson said. For example, in response to the shorter attention span of an entire generation who grew up on video games and music videos, things may move more quickly in church.

The creative ministry team at La Croix meets regularly to talk about what elements it can use to enhance Sunday morning worship. "We need those exciting colors and that faster pace," Wilson said.

But Sunday morning worship isn't the only time people gather at church. Churches today offer more worship times on Sunday and during the week so people can choose what time best suits their needs.

Faith Evangelical Free Church and First General Baptist Church both offer Monday evening services for people who can't attend during the "regular" worship time.

While options for service times exist, so do the options for choosing where you want to worship.

There are hundreds of churches, both large and small, in Southeast Missouri. There is a variety of denominations and non-denominational congregations in the area, many of which are growing churches.

But denominational loyalty isn't a concern for many worshipers. People want to hear a gospel message and are often less concerned about whether it comes from a Baptist preacher, a Catholic priest or a nondenominational minister.

"Denominational loyalties no longer define the religious landscape," says Christian author Richard J. Foster.

While that might be a concern for many, particularly denominational leaders, "The people of God did quite well long before the rise of denominations and they will do quite well after they are gone," Foster says.

Most churches in Southeast Missouri carry some denominational affiliation, but there is a growing movement among churches to drop the denominational name for fear of alienating potential members.

When Fruitland Community Church began, it opted not to include its religious affiliation as a Southern Baptist congregation. "We wanted to break down barriers," said Mike Parry, church planter.

Breaking with tradition is another challenge facing the church of the future. Many congregations are finding changes in how a church is organized, what its ministries are and who it reaches in the community.

First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau was the first church in Southeast Missouri to ordain women as deacons in 1998. The Cape Girardeau Baptist Association voted to withdraw affiliation with the church over the matter.

The Rev. Dr. John Owen, pastor of the church, said the congregation considered it more Christlike to include women in leadership roles at the church than to exclude them.

"Christianity is about being in the minority and understanding that right is not determined by might, by numbers or even by tradition," Owen has said.

Roman Catholic authorities have said the church must do more to promote women and their work for the church, but a committee of U.S. bishops didn't challenge the church's position against ordaining women.

Church leaders should "appreciate and incorporate the gifts of women in the church" said a statement released by the U.S. Bishops Committee on Women in Society.

Appreciating differences isn't just limited to gender. The community must learn to appreciate religious diversity as well.

While Southeast Missouri isn't the most diverse region religiously, it is moving in that area. More Muslims are gathering at the Islamic Center and new Southeast Missouri State University student groups for differing beliefs meet regularly.

Rating a community's diversity depends on how you define what is diverse, said the Rev. Dr. Andy Pratt, a religious studies professor at the university.

Southeast Missouri, particularly Cape Girardeau, isn't hostile to diversity, said the Rev. Phil Curran, it's just not a major presence. "There is room for everyone at the table."