Interconnecting Fellowship Through New Technologies

As one of our five FAITH goals, we want to interconnect our growing fellowship through new technologies. Stepping up to help fulfill this task are four new technological developments at Saddleback: Year of Hope podcasts, increased internet bandwidth, internal on-demand streaming of campus services, and the recently aired Mental Health webcast on October 10.

This month, Saddleback staff received weekly podcasts to stay updated on exciting campaign plans in preparation for our Year of Hope (YOH) kick-off on November 19. Hosted by Pastor of Membership Steve Gladen, YOH podcasts are a chance for staff to listen to updates and hear all the amazing developments in store for the 2017 campaign.

By clicking on a podcast link, staff can listen to insight from ministry leaders and track upcoming events on the YOH calendar.

“The podcast will guide them through the liftoff of our Year of Hope,” explains Pastor Steve. “I'm excited that for us, as a staff and congregation, we're going to have a cognitive approach of what has been the bedrock, and the foundation of Saddleback Church.”

Saddleback’s IT and web teams are developing other technology for the campaign, including a text solution and web app that allows members to register to pray for the Year of Hope. Scheduled for release in the coming months, this engagement tool will help launch our YOH prayer initiative and rally our church family as we prepare for a season of renewal.

Other efforts to help meet our “I” goal, include increased internet bandwidth for all our regional campuses. During the month of October, our IT Infrastructure Team increased streaming capacity for two-way communication during SALT meetings and other events. 

According to Ron Keck, Pastor of Campuses, “This enables us to not only be one church in many locations, but it also allows us to experience each other simultaneously. We can hear transformational stories from members of our church family, in real time, like we’ve never experienced before. This continues to unite us and reach more for Jesus.”

Another exciting technological advancement for our church is the release of an internal tool for live video and on-demand streaming from all campuses. This allows for our Multi-Site Team to review multiple weekend worship services and offer feedback.

As a growing church with 17 campuses, one of the challenges in supporting their leaders is that Ron and his team can only be in one place at a time. “What this technology enables us to do,” he says, “is simultaneously see our campuses as their services are happening. This gives us greater opportunity to see, develop, improve, and encourage our leaders as they grow in their own journey.”

Another big step toward interconnecting our growing fellowship was the Mental Health Webcast on October 10. Nearly 1,800 viewers registered to join Pastor Rick and Kay as they hosted a free online webcast designed to encourage individuals living with mental illness. The online event also helped educate and support families impacted by mental illness, and equip church leaders for compassionate and effective mental health ministry.

In an effort to reach all time zones, the World Mental Health Day Online Webcast aired over three days, and featured messages from the second historic Gathering on Mental Health and the Church.

The informative and powerful sessions offered hope and practical tools on topics such as suicide-risk reduction, support groups, crisis management, and holistic care.

As one of Saddleback’s signature ministries, the Mental Health Ministry aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness and help those who are affected by the illness as well as their families. For more information, visit hope4mentalhealth.com.

Stay tuned for Saddleback’s new DriveTime Devotions app and website, currently in beta testing. It’s because of your commitment to Daring Faith that we’re able to interconnect our growing fellowship through new technologies. For all our Daring Faith news and updates, visit www.saddleback.com/daringfaith.