The Deacon's Bench
I wonder if this could catch on in the Catholic world?
More than a dozen Tallahassee churches are embracing the medium of podcasting in order to push their sermons and lectures beyond the pew, and the congregations are responding.
Podcasts are audio files that can be heard on a number of devices, including computers, tablets and smartphones. In the case of these religious podcasts, a subscriber gets what their pastor said on Sunday morning downloaded directly to their device when it becomes available.
By adopting podcasting, which is typically used to put out radio-like talk shows, church leaders are now reaching those members who can’t make it to every service and to those simply living too far away to attend.
Lead Pastor Mark McNees of Element3 Church on Capital Circle NE knows firsthand how a podcast can transform a congregation. More people either download the church’s Sunday sermons each Tuesday or watch the video of his speeches on the website Vimeo each week than physically attend services.
It’s a far cry from what the church used to do.
“In the early days, we did CDs. We were giving away 100 to 150 CDs per week,” McNees said. “When podcasts became available, it really allowed us to save a lot of money, save a lot of time.”
After about eight years of podcasting, Element3 has found its groove with the new church presence. It’s attracted new listeners from all over the world and continues to stay in the lives of those who have left Tallahassee and still want the sermons.
“It’s been a real good thing for us. It’s definitely increased our platform,” he said.
In a recent survey, about 65 percent of Element3 members said they listened to the podcast or watched the video of the sermon weekly.
“I was shocked at how many people have shared it or have made it part of their life,” McNees said.
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