Reaching Out in a Networked World: Expressing Your Congregation's Heart and Soul (Book)
Lynne M. Baab, Author.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2008.

The central issue in this book, according to Lynne Baab, is "the urgency of considering and evaluating the way new technologies can help congregations convey their identity and values to people within and outside the congregation."

This urgency exists not only because of the recent proliferation of new communication technologies (such as blogs, podcasts, and networking sites), but also because—in a culture where congregations have lost their centrality—it's important that religious communities have the tools to communicate what truly matters, what's most important, to the life of faith.

Reaching Out in a Networked World begins by inviting congregations to consider their values (what they care about) and identity (who they are). It then explores common myths about how values and identity are communicated—including the myth that "if your heart is in the right place, communication takes care of itself."

What follows are chapters on significant communication tools: websites, blogs, e-mail, listservs, desktop publishing, and projection screens. Each chapter offers both a contextual framework and practical tips for evaluating these tools. Book appendices explain how to do a "communication audit" for a congregation and how to establish or revamp a website.

With questions for reflection, journaling, and discussion concluding each chapter, this resource will be valuable for any congregation considering the new social technologies, how they relate to congregational identity, and how they can serve a congregation's mission.

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See also these resources:

The Networked Congregation: Embracing the Spirit of Experimentation (Web Resource)
Religion writer Andrea Useem offers support for congregations exploring Web 2.0 technologies. She addresses the history of the Internet, defines Web 2.0, examines what it means for congregations, provides practical advice, and recommends resources.