Worship has come a long way from getting dressed in one's “Sunday best” to partake in a sanctuary experience. Rapid advances in technology have brought about enhancements in how many Unity churches deliver their messages.

Many now offer Internet podcasts (downloadable, prerecorded audio or video digital media files) and live streams (real-time, video broadcasts) of their Sunday services as well as their classes. As a result, they are reaching broader audiences and bringing the Unity message to new generations.

Podcasts and Live Streams
Unity of Melbourne uses technology each week to meet the needs of its congregation through audio podcasts. “We had been recording services for many years,” explains Derek Rawson, AV/Web site coordinator for the church. “There was a demand from congregants who attended services for recordings to share with friends and family. We also had requests from members living in rural communities or who, for various reasons, are not able to come to services.” Podcasts allow people to listen when it is convenient for them.

According to Robert Gault, board president of Unity of Vancouver, B.C., downloadable podcasts are an important extension of their ministry.  “We see it as …value added for our members,” he says. “We reach a wider audience (with our message). Members stay connected when on holidays, (during) work assignments, inclement weather, etc. We are building a solid community of spirit.”

In Golden Valley, Minn., at Unity Christ Church, the key to using podcasts is making them available immediately for listeners. “Those who listen to our podcasts on a more regular basis make the assumption that they will be available in a timely fashion,” says executive director Rev. Sher McNeal. “If they are not … the thought dwindles and other things catch their attention and then it is forgotten.”

Because of the time sensitivity, McNeal believes live streams—which offer an experience as close as one can get to being in the sanctuary—may work best. “Live streams are definitely the wave of the near future. … The podcasts are nice, but video streaming is a significant step forward in electronic communication.”

Whether listening to a service, watching a real-time live stream or accessing a printable transcribed text of a service, which many Unity churches also offer, today's technology allows people to learn about Unity from the comfort of their own home. From that initial experience, they can then decide if they are interested in attending a particular Unity church.

But is something lost?
Despite the benefits, Rawson says a heavy technology emphasis presents a rather dim view of the future of church. “There are any number of ways to find enlightened information on the Web,” he notes. “For me, church is about a group of like minds coming together.”

Rev. Rob Wheeler of Christ Unity Church of Medford in Oregon shares a similar opinion. “Nothing can replace the feeling and energy associated with ‘in-person' celebrations,” he says. “That being said, we have opened the door (beginning with podcasts in 2006 and adding live streams in 2008) to those (people) who are not yet ready to enter the building, but are ready to explore spiritual growth.”

Technology Can Create Opportunities for Community
While some Unity churches acknowledge the challenge of forging tangible, people-to-people connections via the Web, many also recognize the numerous opportunities that technology brings to their ministries. These include extending the Unity message to new people, creating community discussion forums where people can ask questions and build relationships, and offering other spiritual supports such as prayer.

Many Unity churches now also have pages on social media sites such as Facebook. Users can engage in spiritual dialogue, find prayer support, and share news and information about church events. These sites allow congregants to connect with others from their spiritual community any time night or day. In addition, they can connect with like-minded people worldwide.

A media consultant offered this perspective about spirituality and technology in an October 2009 Internet article, “… While traditional media isn't going away, you basically have two choices: Evolve, or disappear. … The world has changed. How we respond is up to us.”
 

For a list of Unity churches offering podcasts and/or live streams, click here.

Podcasts are also available from Unity's online radio network, Unity.FM. 

Visit Unity on Facebook.