About Faith-Based WebCasting -

With the continued developments in consumer technology, a growing number of faith-based communicators are turning to the internet to expand the reach of their messages. The ability for web visitors to see and hear online services and programs brings a new dimension to communicators, even with the smallest budgets.

Now, in areas where copies of video and audio tapes had been distributed, traditional costs have been reduced and service level has increased. 

One application of Faith-Based WebCasting is the offering of weekly services online. In many cases, the service or sermon is already being recorded for later use or distribution. For online webcasting, the media is electronically converted and hosted on media servers for availability to internet users. Once the media files are prepared, a resource page is updated allowing internet visitors to see the latest media available.

In our real-life examples, we have seen clearly that the aggregate of available content and its collection increase the value of all of your media resources. In the case of the First United Methodist Church of Dallas, web traffic increased over 300%.

Additional content may also be added. The First United Methodist Church of Dallas offers its visitors "multimedia essays" produced by their pastor, Rev. John Fiedler, with his personal camcorder as well as Lenten studies for its youth program. Whites Chapel United Methodist Church of Southlake,Texas, in addition to weekly audio and video services offers their web visitors programming produced by their youth outreach ministry.

In all cases, the "collection" of available media makes for a valuable online resource for research as well as providing outreach for "non local" church members. "Traffic to our site has tripled in the past year." reports First United Methodist Church of Dallas Communications Director, Rob Ray. "In fact, it's not uncommon for us to hear from out-of-state visitors who watch our weekly services online."

Internet delivery of church programming can provide an often needed alternative to traditional broadcasting, as well. One example is The First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas - when faced with increases in television time costs, the church chose to offer their programming online and on local cable systems.

Virtual Studies -

In addition to traditional programming, Dallas-based WebCasting.com has been testing the waters with other church related programming and online services. Pre-Lenten studies allowed virtual students to communicate with one another via secured online messaging as well as watch weekly video assignments and participate in the class on their own time. "Designing on online line study plan takes advance planning but in the long run, it's a major time saver when you consider that continuing groups of students can benefit from content we produced only once." - Rob Ray, Director of Communications for the First United Methodist Church in Dallas.

As if bible studies, services and sermons were not enough outreach, FUMC Dallas celebrated the installation of its' new Sanctuary Organ with a live camera view available for the site's internet visitors. The organ and its investment was a major component of the church capital campaign and the ability to watch it being installed brought the project to life for FUMC Dallas' growing web audience.

The Human and Technology Resource -

As cost-cutters in corporate environments have learned, out-sourcing specialized services is most desirable when budgets are being balanced. Sherrie Bass, Director of Evangelism for FUMC Dallas says,  "While we have a full service media department, streaming media is a specialized technology that goes beyond what we do. It fits into our technology profile - we outsource our website and telephone systems, too. It saves money and time when you let specialists do it." 

WebCasting.com has been a "transparent" media provider for over ten years, servicing the public relations, media and medical sectors. "There are unique skill sets required to maintain a level of quality and identity", according to CTO and Founder of WebCasting.com, John Rody. "Our service-bureau concept works for clients who want online media and have staffing and budget limits."

Rich Media Delivery and Networking -

The integration of PowerPoint presentations with audio and video production make for compelling online content. With easy to use tools and development of your online media program's production process, you can offer immersive learning environments which can be made available on a fixed schedule or 24/7, depending on your needs. You can also share your rich media presentations with other churches online - WebCasting.com is developing a model of "shared media assets" in which curriculum produced by one church may become part of a library maintained by an adhoc network. For information on this project, contact us.

We invite you to browse this site for online samples and more information about Faith-Based WebCasting. If you are looking for a quote on how to put this technology to work for your congregation, you may visit our WebCasting Wizard and based on your information we can customize a service level that matches your needs. You may also contact us with questions by emailing us directly or by calling us at 888-214-1360.   

Faith-Based WebCasting is a service of WebCasting Networks -  Serving Media Online Since 1993      888-214-1360