CyberCamp offers Alabama churches opportunity to expand outreach efforts

Alabama Baptists should use church Web sites for both inreach and outreach, according to Keith Hinson, webmaster for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

“There’s a misconception afoot that if the members of a particular congregation don’t use computers much, then there’s no need for that church to have a Web site,” said Hinson who is the coordinator for the CyberCamp and Web Ministry Conference at Shocco Springs Conference Center, May 23–24.

When today’s working adults, “20-somethings,” teenagers and children need information on any topic — including church — they turn first to the Internet, Hinson observed.

“The CyberCamp event is one of your state missionaries’ efforts to address the growing number of Alabama Baptist churches who want to harness the Internet for Kingdom purposes,” Hinson explained. “These workshops will benefit persons with varying degrees of computer experience — from the one who barely knows how to turn on a computer to longtime users who want to expand their skills.”

Among the sessions to be offered are:

• “Webmastering 101,” taught by Cord Hamrick, owner of www.cordsworks.com and consultant from Kennesaw, Ga. “Of all the teachers in continuing education classes I’ve attended, Cord is by far the best communicator,” Hinson said. “Those who want to understand how to create a Web site for their church or expand an existing one will benefit from this training which lasts for six hours.”
• “Understanding Computer Technology,” taught by Jeff Hammack, computer services coordinator. “This is six hours of training for those who are new to computers,” Hammack explained. “It begins from ‘the ground up.’ If you barely know how to turn on your new computer, this course would benefit you.”
• “Computers in Worship: PowerPoint and Beyond,” taught by Doug Rogers, communications services coordinator. “Computers should always support corporate worship, rather than distract from it,” Rogers said. “We’ll cover some tips for using PowerPoint and other types of presentation software. While computers are never an end in themselves, they are a tool to help those present to engage in authentic, meaningful worship.”
• LifeWayLink and the Strategic Use of the Internet,” taught by Craig Kendall, manager of the web development team for the technology division of LifeWay Christian Resources. Kendall will discuss the highly popular free and paid Web sites being offered by www.lifewaylink.com.
• “How to Prepare Sermons Using Free On-Line Resources,” taught by Jim Swedenburg, associate in the LeaderCare/Church Administration Office. “There’s a wealth of materials available on some really good Web sites for sermon illustrations, Bible study materials and more. This will show you how to become more efficient in sermon preparation when utilizing the Internet for this purpose.”
• “Your Church and Census 2000: Understanding and Utilizing On-Line Resources,” taught by Mickey Crawford, statistical consultant in the Computer Services Office. “A great deal of detailed information is available free on the Internet providing a precise demographic snapshot of your church field,” Crawford said. “This includes such data as household income, marital status, number of children and ethnicity, and more about a particular area. This can be important to knowing what will be effective in reaching your area for Christ.”

Other topics to be covered during group sessions and bonus sessions include: Search Engines 101, Privacy on the ‘Net, Internet Explorer Tips and Tricks, Putting Audio on Your Web Site, Maximizing Your Use of Microsoft Outlook, Genealogy and the Internet, and more.

For additional details, visit the CyberCamp’s Web page at www.alsbom.org/webcon or call Hinson at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 289. For reservations, call Shocco at 1-800-280-1105. (ABSC)