2000-12-19-皮尤-Wired_Churches,_Wired_Temples_22页_85kb

Summary of Pew Internet & American Life Project: Online Life Report – "Wired Churches, Wired Temples"

Core Content

This report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project explores how churches and synagogues in the United States use the Internet to enhance congregational life, spread their message, and serve their communities. It is based on a survey of 1,309 congregations, including Christian, Jewish, and Unitarian Universalist groups, from 49 U.S. states. The survey highlights the increasing role of the Internet in religious life and provides insights into how congregations and clergy utilize digital tools for spiritual and practical purposes.

Main Findings

Internet Use in Congregational Life

• 83% of congregations believe the Internet has helped congregational life "some" or "a great deal."
• 81% of congregations agree that email has helped the spiritual life of the congregation to some extent, with 35% saying it has helped "a great deal."
• 91% of congregations say email has helped members and staff stay in touch, with 51% reporting it has helped "a great deal."
• 63% believe email has helped the congregation connect more with the surrounding community, with 17% saying it has helped "a lot."

Popular Web Site Features

The most commonly used features on congregational websites include:

• 83% encourage visitors to attend services.
• 77% post mission statements, sermons, or other faith-related text.
• 76% have links to denomination and faith-related sites.
• 60% have links to scripture studies or devotional material.
• 56% post schedules, meeting minutes, and other internal communications.

Activities on Congregational Web Sites

Congregations use their websites for:

• Attracting new visitors and members (83% of sites have this feature).
• Providing information on services, directions, and community events.
• Supporting mission work and outreach, including global missions, helping the deaf, and serving military families.
• Offering online fundraising, prayer requests, and youth group materials.
• Maintaining a presence for those who have left the congregation.
• Hosting educational content, such as Bible trivia games and college-level theology courses.
• Providing resources for daily prayer and devotional work.
• Linking to external services, such as crisis counseling and community organizations.

Future Web Site Additions

Congregations are planning to enhance their websites with features such as:

• 29% will add photos of congregation events.
• 27% plan to post material for teens and youth groups.
• 22% will provide space for prayer requests.
• 22% are considering adding sign-up features for classes and programs.
• 16% are thinking of linking to community sites like local media and festivals.

Internet Use by Clergy

• 81% of clergy use the Internet to get information for worship services.
• 77% seek information on the Bible, Torah, or other scriptures.
• 72% use the Internet for devotional resources.
• 72% gather information for education programs.
• 59% use the Internet for matters of doctrine.
• 57% seek information on other denominations and faiths.
• 54% use the Internet to explore matters of faith.

Online Religious Information Seeking

• 21% of Internet users (19–20 million people) seek spiritual and religious information online.
• 33% of online Black users have sought such information, compared to 20% of online White users.
• 26% of online Southerners, 22% of Midwesterners, 20% of Westerners, and 14% of Northeasterners have done so.
• Middle-aged African-American women are the heaviest users of religious information online, with 38% of them seeking it.

Methodology

• The survey was conducted via email, with responses from congregations that had registered with umbrella organizations.
• The sample is not representative of all U.S. congregations, as it excludes those without Internet access or those not registered with such organizations.
• The survey was hosted on a password-protected server by Princeton Survey Research Associates.
• The results reflect the perspectives of congregations that are more likely to be Internet-savvy and engaged in digital outreach.

Key Takeaways

• The Internet has become a significant tool for congregations to enhance spiritual life, improve communication, and support mission work.
• Congregations with higher Internet access and larger budgets are more likely to use the Internet effectively.
• Email is widely used for internal communication and mission outreach, even in congregations with fluctuating membership.
• While most sites focus on promoting their presence and basic faith activities, some also engage in broader community service and outreach.
• The use of the Internet by congregations reflects a shift in how faith communities interact, educate, and serve their members and the wider society.

Conclusion

The report underscores the growing importance of the Internet in religious life, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges faced by congregations in leveraging digital tools. It provides a detailed snapshot of how faith communities are adapting to the digital age, and suggests that further research is needed to understand the broader implications of this trend.