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Introduction to the Internet Superhighway |
Introduction to the Internet "Super Highway"
Rob Honma, Network Administrator/AACF Campus Minister
And now for something completely different... computers and ministry? It's been a
privilege to serve God in my profession as a Network Administrator and a volunteer
staff worker with AACF. I've been asked by churches, para-church organizations, and
individuals to assist them in applying computer technology within their ministries.
Because of the increased use of computers within the Church, several issues should
be considered before implementing such technologies. I and several others, feel a
personal responsibility to educate and guide those who wish to use these tools. Today
the role of technology is ever present and vital in both the administration and operation
of the local Church. Can you imagine... no telephones, copy or fax machines, P.A.
systems, or even computers? (Sounds great to some of us!) Because these technologies
reshape and change the way we communicate, without realizing it, we are also changing
the way we build and nurture relationships. Where once a pastor visited an individual
for prayers requests, he now picks up the phone or sends an e-mail. From hand written
letters welcoming new comers, to standard form letters with a scanned signature.
It's not my goal to criticize technology, but to examine and question the way in
which we as the Church universal understand and use these tools for the kingdom of
God.
This will be a "simplistic" overview of what the "Information Super
Highway" looks like today. The "Internet" is a series of computers
linked all across the world. These computers belonged to universities, corporations,
individuals, and various organizations. They receive and pass along information constantly
and fairly indiscriminately, receiving information belonging to itself, and passing
along others. In the past, to gain access to the Internet, a dedicated computer server
was required to establish a connection. It was costly, complicated, and difficult
to maintain. Today, Internet "providers" like CompuServe, America On-Line,
Prodigy, NetCom, offer several levels of Internet services which will be described
in detail later for a fixed or monthly charge to an individual or organization.
The most "basic" service available today on the Internet is electronic
mail, or e-mail. Almost all major universities and businesses have e-mail, and if
they have "Internet access," they can send mail to any computer system
anywhere in the world. Many companies have e-mail, but no internet access. This means
they route mail internally and only to their systems. This level of service is available
from "Internet providers" like CompuServe, America On-Line for a nominal
monthly charge. (Usually $10-$15 / month for an individual account) They are limited
by time or total number of messages with additional charges after set limits are
reached. This access requires a modem, a personal computer with software, and a phone
line for access. This level of Internet access requires a limited open connection
for mail/file transfers, and is sometimes referred to as "Limited Internet access."
'Full Internet access" requires a constant open connection to the internet host
server to provide higher bandwidth, and send and receive a greater amount of data
to and from the host server. This allows more sophisticated applications a higher
level of interaction with the user. In short, you have more information accessible
through point-and-click operations with advanced searching capabilities with little
or no learning curve.
The World-Wide-Web, or WWW, is built upon the information super highway. It is a
graphical way of accessing information on the Internet through various programs called
web-browsers. Imagine a page of text with several keywords highlighted. By clicking
on the highlighted words, you go to another page of text/ graphics. These highlighted
words and images are called "hypertext links." These pages could exist
on the initial server you accessed or on a server across the world. These pages are
called "home pages," and they can store graphic images, sounds, and text.
Today, businesses create web-servers to advertise services, provide technical support,
and keep their customers informed. To access the WWW (World-Wide-Web), software,
in addition to a local internet provider with "full Internet access," is
required. Software available today include Mosaic and Netscape to name a few. They
are available on both the PC and Macintosh systems, and NetScape is free to non-profit
organization, students, and faculty members. Today, CompuServe, America On-Line (AOL),
and Prodigy do not currently offer "full Internet access" to their customers,
but plans are in the works. It is unclear if they will be able to offer this access
in a usable and cost effective form. The technological requirements may pose too
great a task for current systems and the general public. A limited or premium level
of service may be offered to those that can afford it in the future.
Imagine an AACF home page/web server. Our address could be www.aacf.com, and the
home page could contain the following:
- Information on Campus Meeting times and contacts.
- Regional/upcoming events calendar for AACF / JEMS
- Photographs and bio's of current staff.
- Local Church Directories and worship service times.
- On-Line registrations for Conferences/Seminars
- Alumni Tracking/registration.
- On-Line newsgroups to discuss various topics of interest
- Resource library of articles, music, publications, retreat sites, and other related
resources for students and staff.
- Use your own imagination, anything we could scan in, or type can be advertised
on this server.
Currently, there is already a plethora of information on the Internet concerning
churches and other ministries. Everyday there are new home pages on the web for Christians
as well as home pages that would grab the attention of non-Christians. And since
the Internet has world wide accessibility, there is a multitude of opportunity to
minister around the world.
There are, of course, limitations to this "new form" of communication,
especially as it pertains to ministry. Short e-mail messages may communicate the
business at hand, but it is nearly impossible to catch the mood, the tone, and/or
the attitude of the person who is writing. The "de-personalization" has
already been a problem in the marketplace and will certainly be a concern for those
trying to minister to people. As mentioned earlier, there is an incredible amount
of information available on the net. The problem is that there is already TOO MUCH
information, and really no way to validate much of the material online.
The Internet can and does open up a world of new avenues to share the message of
the Gospel with countless individuals. But there are issues that need to be thought
through and prayed about as we continue to "minister" online. As more and
more of us become familiar with the net, take time to think creatively of ways God
would want us to communicate to the world.
(Rob Honma, a network administrator and an AACF campus minister has been a consultant
to JEMS/AACF. Rob has been instrumental in placing AACF online.)
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