In the 21st century people are busier than ever. They work at least 5 days a week and in addition to the bare 8 hours a day, there is the commute time that adds up. Parents have to take care of children and their needs. It's a wonder anyone can get it all done.
So, when Sunday comes, who wants to go to church? Not only is it in the middle of the morning but it's not just an hour – there's the getting ready, getting the kids ready, driving to the church, being polite afterwards, then driving home. That's probably an average of 3 hours for a 1 hour service.
Most churches have classes during the week – usually on Wednesday night. But again, that requires additional time for preparation, driving to and from. It probably involves getting a baby sitter too. You rush to get home, get ready, and take off to go to the class. But if you get home a bit late, wouldn't it be nicer to just sit down for a bit?
So, you've got discouraged ministers who wonder why attendance is going down, whether it's Sunday services or mid-week classes. And you've got the parishioners who feel they "have" to go to church but really don't want to and certainly don't want to go during the week. And if they do go, then it's possible that resentment and bitterness may arise too.
Is there a solution? Can't modern technology help out here? Yes, there's a solution but you don't need modern technology. All you really need is a telephone. Yes, the wonderful piece of equipment that's over 100 years old. You can use computers and other equipment to augment this but all you need is the telephone.
There are phone lines called 'bridge lines'. In essence these lines allow a very large conference call. Depending on the size of the bridge line, you can get very large number of people on one call. There is one phone number but two passcodes – one for the moderator and guests and the other for the participants. The person conducting the teleseminar can secure these bridge lines either on an individual call basis (reserved specifically for one time) or "24/7" making it available all the time.
Once the bridge line is secured, you're ready to go. There are other ways to augment this but if you have the line, you can conduct the teleseminar. You want to get people to register and this is where the additional technology comes in. You spread the word via email messages and your website. It pays to have an autoresponder and these can be had for 20-30 dollars a month. The advantage of an autoresponder is that the robot will send the emails out either responding to the person subscribing/registering (thus the name autoresponder) or it can broadcast to the entire list of people who have shown interest in your materials. This is done automatically so that you're not having to check and respond to your emails all the time. The autoresponder gets the messages and information out to everyone who has subscribed.
Another option to get information for your classes by having what's called an "Ask Campaign". For instance, it would be a web page called "Ask Reverend Jones". There is a service that will give you the web code and also collect the data for you too. If you don't have a lot of people yet, you can do the same "Ask Campaign" by email. The reason you want to ask your folks what they want to hear is that you know they will listen because they are interested. Ask them a question such as "What's the most confusing part of the Bible for you?" Get them to give you the information they want to hear from you.
You want to record your teleseminar too. That can be done by the bridge line company (if it's not a free phone line service) or people who specialize in recording teleseminars or you can record it yourself. There are many resources for all these functions. You want to record this so that you can post it on your website for replay or even to provide as an MP3 file for people to download. You can also get your recordings transcribed. But again, this is not necessary.
But all you need is a phone. You schedule a class (or even make your Sunday service available). Then those who register sign up, get the phone code, call in at exactly the start time and listen for the hour (or however long you talk) and then hang up. They are at home, listening even from work, or even in the car. You talk, they listen, and you're done. You can be in your pajamas, they can be in their pajamas and everyone is happy. You mute all lines but the one you're talking on so they could even answer the door or yell at the kids without disturbing anyone else.
This is a perfect system for those who move away but are very dedicated to you and your style of teaching. This happens frequently because in this day and age, people are moving around more than they used to. By conducting teleseminars, you can keep these folks as part of your loyal congregation.
If you have a webmaster, your job will be even easier but you do not need one. Ministers who are interested in learning more, can contact Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher at GettingUnstuck@mindspring.com
Imprints on the Soul
When I was a resident Chaplain at the University of Kentucky, I would often baptize those who were dying. On one occasion, I was given the task of baptizing an aborted child that did not make it through labor. I was given a small fetus in an empty room. This child was not much bigger than my thumb. I remember wondering what this infant's mother looked like and who was the father. What were they going through? I wondered who was helping them through their grief.
This fetus was given to me, so I could baptize him/her before further burial procedures were to take place. In the back of my mind, I began to imagine what this child's life would have been like if this child had of lived. What baring on the parents would all this create in their heart and in their soul?
There are several places for a person to find comfort and healing. Your local Hospice Care Program has several support groups with qualified therapists to assist you in sharing your grief. Your local hospital has social workers and chaplains to guide you through this difficult time. Also, hospital social workers have a list of groups in the community to give you in finding a caring group to share your grief. Your Minister and friends will help you too. And, if you have a pet, they grieve to. Give them attention. They will draw close to you.
In the meantime, be good to yourself. Eat right. Take walks. Take time to listen to your heart recall memories of your loved one who has passed on into a deeper place in your heart only your soul can embrace. There are several books on grief. Often we heal in the deepest parts of our being before we notice it physically. This journey into the heart is a predictable one. I would like to recommend my book "Integrating the Feminine Spirit: Returning to the Womb of Creation." This is a book about the journey into one's heart and soul.
This event took place over 16 years ago. I can still remember this event as though it were yesterday. I was alone with this fetus and nurse. I did anoint this child. In a way, I believe the child anointed me as well. This child, to this day, has left an image in my mind and heart that lives and breathes through my recalling this story. This child has left an imprint on my Soul and shown me a way into Eternity.
Samuel Oliver, author of, "What the Dying Teach Us: Lessons on Living" For more information on this author; http://www.soulandspirit.org
People Do the Oddest Things
People Do the Oddest Things ~We send our best wishes for holidays, birthdays, get well,weddings, and such. Yet, why are we wishing for anything when wecould really bless them in prayer?We go into a state of panic when our child is a few minuteslate, as if our worry is going to get them home any faster thantrusting God. Satan must get a good laugh.We receive aggravation on every side, as Satan is alive andwell on Sundays. Thinking we donÆt need GodÆs help and no onewill be the wiser, we go it alone; with our painted smiles,polished attire, and frustrations neatly tucked ... then take itout on our waitress.When our spouse is out of town; we receive comfort in afriend sleeping over, us staying at momÆs, or one of the kidsclimbing into bed ... as if any person present can make us saferthan we already are. God is our protection. Though, maybe weÆdrather believe the dark will get us.Instead of asking the one who owns it all; we spend money wedonÆt have on things we think we have to have, get our financesall messed up, then cry, "Help!"We sleep in on Sunday morning, thinking it will make our daybrighter. Instead, it makes our week longer.We prefer to exhaust ourselves with endless deeds than toslow down, spend time with God, and ask Him what He wants us todo.We work all the overtime we can get, steal GodÆs tithe, andthen think weÆre going to financially get ahead.Believing our doubts and doubting our beliefs; were we toconsider the things we do, we might find them odd, too ... thenlook for more desirable alternatives.As someone once said, "When we feed our faith, our doubtswillstarve to death."® by Joyce C. Lock.................................................................About the Author:Joyce C. Lock founded and maintains the email ministries"Heavenly Inspirations"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and"Share a Smile" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/ .She also has a published e-book, "The Difference",which can be purchased here:http://www.theeaglesgarden.com/