Podcasting Primer for churches

Podcasting is the hottest thing going! Making it vitally important for you to understand what it is and HOW you need to begin using it for ministry. It is not just about downloadable music, but podcasts are quickly becoming the means of choice for obtaining and listening to content of all types. It is important for you to start podcasting, not because it is the hottest thing going, but because it will be an incredible way to get your message out to the masses, both to your congregation and to the rest of the world!

The iPod has been a remarkable success. Of course, when we talk about iPods and podcasting we are talking about pulling digital audio files from Websites to computers and MP3 players, with Apple’s iPod being the most popular MP3 player on the market. I could fill pages with stats showing you that the sales of iPod and other MP3 players are astounding. In addition, all of the stats show that the numbers will continue to grow.

You need to understand that iPods are not just for people that like to listen to music via headphones. Equipment is now on the market that allows you to listen to podcasts through your home stereo. In addition, while about half a million cars will be sold in the US this year with iPod ready stereos, within a few short years, car makers promise that number will grow to 28 million a year. Even clothing manufactures are making changes for the iPod. Levi Strauss, the jeans maker, has announced that this year they will release an iPod-ready pair of jeans. The last time Levi made a pattern change in their jeans for a new technology was when they added the little pocket for the growing popularity of the pocket watch. Now, that little pocket will be redesigned for the iPod, with a cradle to lock into and retractable earplugs.

Of course, people love the iPod because they can take their music with them everywhere they go, but as I have already stated podcasting is about much more than just music. A year ago, Universities (such as Duke in Durham, NC) began using them as a required piece of equipment for their students, pre-loaded with student orientation talks and the ability to download lectures and audio text books from the school’s Website. The Internet has become a major source of information in print, and, thanks to podcasting, a bounty of information available on the net is now available in audio format.

How is podcasting different from just streaming your Sunday’s worship service from your Website?

First, podcasting is searchable. Instead of depending upon people visiting your Website and listening to last week’s sermon, you can catalog those sermons on a variety of topics, allowing people who are looking for information on a specific topic to find your audio file. This is where podcasting sites come in handy. They can provide the means to catalog podcasts on a variety of topics.

Christianpodder.com has debuted a site with many abilities and tools (more on this in a bit), specifically designed to host podcasts on subjects of interest to Christian listeners.

Podcasting allows you to create specific content, searchable by subject, without specific time restraints, presented in a personal one-on-one format. Because people don’t necessarily want to listen to audio content while sitting in front of their computers, podcasting to an iPod or other MP3 player allows people to take your content with them and listen at their convenience, in their car, at work, or even while taking a walk or working out. With podcasting, if a person likes the content you provide, using a host service, such as www.Christianpodder.com, they can subscribe to your content, and have it automatically downloaded to the user’s computer.

So how do you podcast? Where can you make it available to the masses (besides those that visit yourchurch or ministry Website?)
Christianpodder.com, one of the only podcast sites dedicated solely to podcasting Christian content.  The site is new (only open about two months) but it is quickly filling up with content.  Christianpodder.com provides several services. First, they seek to help ministries and churches understand the simplicity of creating podcasts. They provide some simple instructions to explain what podcasting is to your congregation and how to get started.

Last Sunday, I visited a church that had a cassette-duplicating machine in the lobby. In talking with me, they were very proud of the fact that they could provide cassette tapes of their worship services, ready for pick up, at the end of the service. These tapes were being made for members to take to shut-ins that are not able to get out and attend the service. While this type of ministry is still important, it does little to help us take our message to others outside of our congregation. In fact, it would be hard for me to find a way to play a cassette tape in my house. I don’t have a cassette tape-player in my car or home!

By Steve Hewitt <[email protected]>