WIRED FOR WORSHIP: CHURCHES MAKE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN EFFORT TO REACH EVERYONE

The message is the same as it has been for centuries, but area churches are jazzing up the presentation to appeal to and keep the attention of modern congregations.

For 31 years, Ida Mae Jordan has been secretary at Evangelical United Church of Christ. It wasn't until just recently that Jordan, now almost 70, had to learn how to keep up with changing technology.

"I had to learn how to use a computer," she said.

Another member of the congregation is working on a design for a page on the World Wide Web. Video and audio tapes of Sunday services are available.

Clearly, modern technology has reached the churches.

The steps churches are taking to keep up with these technological advances are as varied as the technologies themselves.

"Technology is like a doctor's knife, it's a tool that can be used for good, but in the wrong hands it can kill," said the Rev. William Bird of The Greater Dimension Church.

Greater Dimension tapes sermons for shut-ins, and like most churches today, it uses microphones and an enhanced sound system. The church is also looking into a television broadcast.

"Sometimes you have to stir people up and make them thirsty for more," Bird said.

Trinity Lutheran church secretary Kim Gerlack said the use of the Internet and e-mail is becoming quite common among churches. Trinity Lutheran's Web site details the church's history as well as listing sermons and upcoming events.

"We also broadcast our services on television and radio every Sunday," Gerlack said.

Lynwood Baptist Church planned for new technology when it designed its new building and sanctuary. The goal is for everyone in the congregation to be able to hear and understand the message being delivered.

A hearing assistance system is provided for those with severe hearing impairments. Sound broadcast on a radio frequency is picked up by a device worn in the ear.

"If people can't hear well, it doesn't matter to them what's being said," said Gary Belcher, Lynwood's music minister. "The message hasn't changed, just the method of presenting it," he said.

Some churches haven't embraced the technological wave, due either to choice or financial constraints. Other congregations believe that for continued growth, it's necessary to make members comfortable by presenting what they are used to in their daily lives.

Lynwood sports a state-of-the-art stereo system with speakers positioned around the arc of the pulpit. An additional system of smaller speakers is located in the area under the balcony.

"Fidelity is very important," said Belcher. Every seat receives the same high quality sound at the same volume.

The minister and other speakers are wired with a microphone that allows freedom of movement while speaking.

Technology in the church doesn't end with sound. Plans are under way to add video and data projection to regular services.

"This is a visual society," said Belcher. "Talking heads just don't hold people's attention anymore.

The creative team at La Croix United Methodist Church would agree. The team meets regularly to determine the best way to enhance the message to be delivered. Chris Nall, the "music guy," and Dee Dee Wilson, coordinator for the group, strive to find the most effective way of reaching people.

Computers in the church help get information to the large congregation. Using video and computer editing techniques, a television in the lobby displays a computerized bulletin board with information about where each Sunday school class meets, sermon topics and a schedule of events.

"We come up with a theme and then we work around that," Wilson said. A recent theme was "Running with Purpose." Starting and finishing line banners hung on either side of the screen which displayed an image of a runner.

During service, video screens broadcast song lyrics, replacing hymnals and allowing the congregation to sing the Lord's praises with heads uplifted.

Silent beepers alert mothers if they are needed in the nursery.

In the children's church, drama is used to illustrate biblical themes and sound boards create specialized effects.

"We're a contemporary church. What we do is relevant to the congregation," said Nall.

He said older church members, used to the more traditional Sunday morning services, don't seem to mind the way things are done. "Some actually like the contemporary approach and others realized this is what we have to do to relate to society."

Although the La Croix is constantly looking for ways to improve and to use other methods available, the high-tech effects are just for the sake of doing something different.

"Everything we do is for a purpose," said Nall. "God deserves our best and so do the people. We do everything as well as we can," he said.