Tampabay: Faithful go online

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Faithful go online

A few bay area churches that have established a significant presence on the Internet.

By SHERRI DAY
Published June 6, 2006

Getting worshipers into the pews has long been a challenge for preachers. Recent surveys show that Christian adults increasingly view brick-and-mortar church attendance as unimportant. According to a March survey by the Barna Group, fewer than one in five adults said church attendance was necessary to become a whole and complete person.

Increasingly, churches are turning to the Internet to bridge the gap.

Several bay area churches are reaching out with downloadable sermons, podcasts or Webcasts that show services in real time or on demand.

Here are a few that have established a significant presence on the Internet:

Idlewild Baptist Church, Lutz, www.idlewild.org. Airs live Webcasts on Sundays and Wednesdays. Also provides a daily e-devotional and a Bible verse of the day.

Revealing Truth Ministries, Tampa, www.revealingtruth.org. Transmits live Webcasts of its services on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Web visitors can donate online.

First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, www.fbcstpete.org. Posts downloadable sermon audio.

Countryside Christian Center, Clearwater, www.countrysidechristiancenter.org. Through its CCC TV Online, shows church services on demand. Also features video church announcements and audio on demand.

Bell Shoals Baptist Church, Brandon, www.bellshoals.com. Shows church commercials and archived video sermons. Also features podcasts and iTunes video on demand.

Revival Ministries International, Tampa, www.revival.com. Features live Webcasts, podcasts and video on demand. Also sends e-mails about church services and events, and provides for online giving and prayer requests.

Another place to find services online is Streaming Faith, Atlanta, www.streamingfaith.com. The company provides Internet broadcast service to more than 300 ministries. The Web site also features blogging, testimonials and faith chats.

[Last modified June 6, 2006, 06:31:55]

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