Wednesday, 21 Aug 2002

Log on to church
- Computer Times Online Version

When IT professional Peter Ng, 28, feels too tired to attend weekend services at Jurong's City Harvest Church (CHC), he logs on to the Internet to watch a live webcast of the prayer proceedings."It's always better to be physically present during the service," said Mr Ng. "But in case there is no way you can make it to church, the Internet allows the church service to reach you at home."

The service, Mr Ng added, was especially beneficial for the sick and elderly and even for those who have to frequently travel overseas.

Occasionally, Mr Ng even chats online with his spiritual mentor. "It's convenient if we are both online and I need advice on my personal or even work life."

Services at City Harvest Church are a high-tech affair as the proceedings are beamed live on the Internet and on giant screens in the church itself.

Mr Ng also downloads sermons from the CHC site and other related websites three or four times a week.

"The church sermons and readings really help me excel in life. And using technology tools to access these rich resources is just a modern convenience." CHC began live webcasts in February this year. The church's information systems manager, Mr Chan Kai Kong, explained why.

"The live webcasts were initiated as a means for thousands of our members to keep in touch with church services, especially those who go overseas for work or study."

CHC's services are telecast live not just over the Internet, but on giant screens at the church auditorium as well.

"About 10,000 worshippers attend our weekend services, which are spread out over nine sessions," said Mr Chan. "The giant screens help those at the back of the auditorium to follow the proceedings better."

Other churches around Singapore are also offering technology-related services. The Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC) at Marine Parade, for instance, allows its members to download audio sermons and church cell-group resource materials that are updated weekly.

FCBC spokesman Samuel Wee elaborated: "Just like a church, a website also exists to serve its members. Putting sermons online, we hope, will help guide our members spiritually."

During any one month, the online sermons receive 2,000 hits, whereas the resource materials receive 20,000 hits, Mr Wee added.

Security professional Paul Chan, 30, and his wife Christine, 29 listen to the audio sermons downloaded from the FCBC website whenever they cannot attend church service.

Mr Paul Chan and wife Christine listen to audio sermons downloaded from their church's website when they are unable to attend the service.

"With a baby daughter at home, there are times when we are unable to attend service," said Mr Chan. "Listening to the audio sermons is better than missing out on the service altogether."

Mr Chan and civil servant Wan Meng Hao, 33, are part of a growing community of Singaporean Christians who have downloaded the Bible onto their personal digital assistants (PDAs).

"I used to carry a Bible to church as well as my cell-group meetings," said Mr Chan. "Then early last year, I downloaded the entire Bible onto my Palm Vx, which is more convenient to carry around."

Mr Chan and Mr Wan also use their Palms to take notes during the sermons.

Mr Wan said: "I take notes both during the service and also during self-study." He attends the Grace Methodist Church at Telok Blangah.

"I also bookmark passages that are of relevance to our cell-group discussions, which I later beam to my cell-group members. It's much cheaper than photocopying."

Hindu temples try webcast

Hindu temples in Singapore have also been using technology to further the faith, occasionally holding webcasts of prayers during major festivals.

Ms Sivakami Kannappan, 30, a volunteer at the computer centre run by the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road, said: "Since 1997, temples have done webcasts of festivities, but such events are still rare."

The most recent webcast was in February this year when video recordings of Kumbha-Abhisekam festivities at Toa Payoh's Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman temple were posted online. The events, however, were not webcast live.

Ms Sivakami added that a group of IT professionals like her were now working on making the website of her temple more interactive.

"We want to implement an online donation scheme and also allow our community members to book temple facilities and function halls online."