40 Days and 40 Bytes: Making Computers Work for Your Congregation
Aaron Spiegel, Nancy Armstrong, Brent Bill
“Today we are awash in computerized Bible games, pastoral care software, and church management systems with members’ personal information and giving records,” observe authors Spiegel, Armstrong, and Bill, but “too often we blindly accept and use technology without asking the big questions—questions like, is it appropriate to our mission and ministry?” 40 Days and 40 Bytes will help your congregation explore technology so you can decide, from a ministry and culture standpoint, what you need to do. The goal: godly service—not technological glitz.
The authors are uniquely qualified to help you think about the role of technology in your congregation. All three are staff members with the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, which launched the innovative Computers and Ministry Grants Initiative in 1998 to help congregations address the challenges they face when using computer technology in their ministries. In this book, they share what they have learned in their work with 102 congregations.
There’s no question your congregation is going to use computer technology. The only question is, “how?” 40 Days and 40 Bytes will help you design technology that fits your ministry and mission.
Praise for the Book
“The authors combine the latest computer savvy with a deep compassion for congregational ministry”—Cynthia A. Woolever, Hartford Institute for Religion Research
“40 Days and 40 Bytes is the most comprehensive overview available on technology in congregations. If you are thinking about your congregation's technology needs, make the journey with these veteran travelers.”—J. Phillip Martin, National Association of Church Business Administration
“Both experts and beginners in the field of technology and congregations will find this well-written book useful. It covers a myriad of vital topics, from planning to backup and recovery and everything in between.”—Molly Ellsworth, IT Administrator, Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago
About the Authors
Aaron Spiegel, a transdenominational rabbi, is the technology director for the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, a gift to the greater Indianapolis area from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help strengthen congregations in the central Indiana metropolitan area. He codeveloped and colead the Center’s “Computers and Ministry” workshops.
Nancy Armstrong, the finance director and resource consultant for the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, a gift to the greater Indianapolis area from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help strengthen congregations in the central Indiana metropolitan area, codeveloped and colead the Center’s “Computers and Ministry” workshops.
Brent Bill, the executive vice president for the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, a gift to the greater Indianapolis area from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help strengthen congregations in the central Indiana metropolitan area, is a minister in the Religion Society of Friends (Quakers) and the author of numerous books and articles.
ISBN# 1-56699-298-2
Alban No. AL288
paper, 145 pages
2004
In stock
$16.00
($12.80 for members)
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