WATERLOO - About seven years ago, Emily Sullivan and her family were preparing to move from Ann Arbor, Mich., to Northeast Iowa. To familiarize herself with the area, she researched her future hometown online.

One of the family's priorities was a place to worship.

"I was trying to find out what church we might want to visit," Sullivan said.

She found a church Web site that, by her definition, was fairly basic at the time. But Sullivan also discovered what she was looking for: information about women's groups and children's programming. Both ministries are important to her family.

The church in Waterloo sounded promising, but Sullivan and her husband opted to attend a service before making a final decision.

"We wanted to find out more information, and we wanted to hear the pastor speak," Sullivan said.

The couple visited several other churches but quickly ended up back at option No. 1: Cedar Valley Community Church. Its Web site is at www.cvcc.net, and the Wesleyan congregation worships on Ansborough Avenue.

The Sullivans aren't the only people of faith using the Internet as a religious resource. And many keep on clicking even after they are part of a faith community and for reasons other than finding a church home.

Some take advantage of podcasts - audio recordings available online - to enjoy spiritual messages at home, in the car or on a jog. Others frequent blogs - online journals - that feature spiritual content, sharing conversations about faith with friends and strangers.

One study several years ago by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found 64 percent, or about 82 million Americans, pursue spiritual activities online. Activities might include sending a religious greeting card, donating money or reading related news.

Those using the Internet for faith-based purposes cross religious, cultural and denominational lines.

Beliefnet.com, a multifaith site that combines social networking with journalism, claims to attract three million unique visitors a month, according to the Project for Excellence in Journalism. This year, Beliefnet.com beat out big names like ESPN.com, Slate.com and People.com in a competition for general excellence.

Granted, traditional churches as a whole haven't exactly been trendsetters when it comes to utilizing technology, according to experts. But a 2005 study by a research organization, the Barna Group, showed Protestant churches have picked up the pace in the last five years.

Bill Withers was recently appointed to a 14-member advisory committee by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which will explore the topics of communication and technology in the church. Withers is chairman of the communication arts department at Wartburg College and has researched emerging technologies.

"Everyone is re-examining communication and communication tools in general, from church bulletins to church Web sites, to how to use communication technology appropriately," Withers said.

Many mainstream churches, he added, are examining the use of technology in light of declining numbers.

"This is coming to a fevered pitch," Withers said. "Why? Technology is changing so fast."

Churches are trying to rediscover what to do and how to use technology in ministry. Most importantly, Withers added, leaders are grappling with how to harness modern inventions to add disciples.

" … And that's the real question."

Church online

At Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls, members and visitors can ask for prayer, listen to a sermon and volunteer for food and housing ministries - all with the click of a mouse. The church is one of a number of Cedar Valley congregations that have bolstered efforts in recent years to improve its online presence, aesthetically and functionally.

"It was kind of driven to build community," said Pat Oehler, Orchard's business manager.

The Web site at www.orchardhillchurch.org helps a growing congregation stay in touch with the church's 100-plus ministries. Likewise, in a church that serves 1,700, staff members use computers to keep track of people and programming.

"Just information management is a priority for us," Oehler said.

Several church leaders said their Web sites exist primarily as a way to get information to active members efficiently. But visitor-friendly church sites - complete with priority placement of maps, times for services and assurances guests aren't expected to give financially - suggest recognition that some first impressions happen online.

Web designer Juli Camarin with Advanced Computer Engineering Solutions in Cedar Falls said her client list includes churches of all sizes in the Cedar Valley. Some rely on a combination of volunteers, paid staff and professionals to make and maintain their Web sites.

" … What I tell my customers is that most people will check you out on the Web site before they even come through the door so they know what to expect," Camarin said.

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County, online at uusbhc.org, went global in 2003. Mica Lorenz, a member of the outreach committee, estimates as many as 30 percent of visitors first find the group through its Web site.

In addition to announcing Sunday services, the site also gets the word out about regular multicultural events that explore and celebrate the world's religions, said member Leigh Zeitz, who serves as webmaster.

"So what we have here is an opportunity to share what we are doing with people all over," Zeitz said.

For some, finding faith must happen before picking a faith community. Some seekers start with a more neutral resource, such as Beliefnet.com, to research religions, Lorenz said. The site offers an online quiz about beliefs that some use to choose a spiritual identity.

Oehler said it's difficult to quantify the Internet's impact. But the church has experienced a 15 percent growth in attendance in the past 10 to 15 years, he noted. Perhaps some can be attributed to a greater online presence and other technology.

Advocates of technology in the church, though, are quick to point out that Web sites are simply a tool - and one of many, for that matter. After all, Oehler added, the No. 1 reason people come to Orchard Hill is still personal invitation.

"They want community," Oehler said. "(Technology) is more of a support for what people want."

Oehler thinks it's important to be intentional about the use of the latest and greatest innovations.

"Technology can be a monster that builds on itself," he said.

"Will this technology really help us or will it be bells and whistles that get in the way?"

Technology, if done well, can translate to better, more efficient ministry, said Wendy Knapp, communications director for Cedar Valley Community Church.

"The ability to communicate with more people in a timely matter makes our response time so much shorter, " she said. "It's definitely enhanced how we serve one another."

Words to go

Podcasts allow individuals to access spiritual talk outside regularly scheduled services.

Lorenz of Waterloo, a mail carrier, accesses recordings published on the Internet through iTunes. She can enjoy sermons from her own or other Unitarian Universalist congregations.

Lorenz also listens to Krista Tippets' "Speaking of Faith" podcasts, which are available through National Public Radio.

"Podcasts are great because you can chose when to listen," she added.

Generally, the recordings give users the ability to listen immediately or to subscribe and automatically receive updates on a regular basis.

Some Cedar Valley church goers say podcasting is a good way to "visit" faith communities of interest across the country and to hear new ideas or preaching styles. Several churches say podcasting decreases or all but eliminates the need for tapes and CDs.

Churches also may offer video of sermons and events online.

"Anymore you can go and see clips. I did that," said Dave Blair of Cedar Falls.

Blair used the Internet over the years to hunt for congregations. Now that he's found a place at Prairie Lakes Church, he continues to go online. Blair uses the Internet to research creative ministry ideas, keep up-to-date on missionaries and to check out what other churches are doing.

Technology, he said, helps him see the bigger picture and to "get the condition of people of faith right now."

"… I guess it maybe shapes how we start looking at our own faith differently. Ways we apply our own faith," Blair said.

Even the most committed believers, it seems, are willing to look outside their church walls for ideas and information.

"Now people will talk about what they believe or don't believe, whether it includes God or not," Blair said.

Brooks Hanes, pastor of Kaio Church in Cedar Falls, thinks some find the Internet to be a place to seek spiritual growth and healing - especially for those wounded by organized religion. Their site is at kaiochurch.com.

People can find comfort in reading sermons and spiritual reflections from the safety of their homes, Hanes said. Sometimes, the electronic method simply serves as a temporary way to reconnect with God.

"Technology has almost filled a gap," Hanes said. " … They are just clicking around and finding someone who can maybe agree with or at least sympathize with who they are."

As a regular blogger, Hanes knows meaningful conversations can happen online. As the pastor of a young church emphasizing relationships, however, Hanes thinks there is much more to Christian community than talking online.

" … They are forgetting they are needed by others to meet with them and talk with them and be hospitable and have them over to dinner," he added.

Words to share

As a pastor, Hanes has many opportunities to talk about God and faith on a regular basis. He also shares his views through his blog at brookshanes.com/blog.

Hanes estimates that half of his readers are friends, and half are friends only because of the blog.

Online dialogue sometimes can produce an honesty and forthrightness that doesn't come as easily face to face.

"I think a lot of people would rather type out what they think than have coffee about it," Hanes said.

The results can be volatile enough to damage a friendship, he said, but the possibilities are compelling. Despite the fact a blog is an open journal to the world, Hanes says it feels personal. He also noted he sometimes writes more freely than he might speak during a sermon, though he strives to be consistent.

"I think I've just started to put my heart into both," he said.

Joshua Wilson shares his thoughts at ilooklikebuddyholly.blogspot.com. He says one advantage to blogging is having the time to edit and clarify thoughts before posting.

Wilson, who works in the Courier's circulation department, blogs to keep family and friends updated on his life. He also interacts with other writers' blogs to track faith topics of interest, such as the emerging church movement. He follows the conversation to learn what other Christians, particularly those in the United Kingdom, have to say about the purpose, function, structure and responsibilities of the modern church.

"It's not just reading the blogs that's helpful - the whole idea that I'm leaving comments and starting conversations," Wilson said.

He adds he likes being part of a wider and deeper conversation where he can influence discussion and be influenced.

" … You are sort of exposed to different ideas that you probably wouldn't have maybe thought about … "

Churches and ministries as well as individuals use online social forums, such as MySpace and Facebook, to advertise events and talk about God.

If that's where the young people are hanging out, that seems like a smart place for churches to be, too, Withers said. Just look at the most popular online sites: social networking and dating services.

"Help people grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ. That's our mission," Withers said.

Word of caution

As director of a theater company that focuses on Christ, Jeff Hanson and his team use creative communication to talk about life and faith.

The Lampost Theatre, online at lampost.com, utilizes a Web site to relay information about schedules and happenings. The organization is also in the process of upgrading its site, adding resources for theaters, churches and ministries.

Recently, the theater and coffeehouse ministry initiated an online discussion forum to accompany weekly, in-person conversations about truth. Hanson, however, sees a need for balance and discernment.

The Internet offers a social outle,t and some students intentionally use the forum for encouragement. But relationships built and nurtured online run the risk of only mimicking authenticity, Hanson said. It's easy to avoid conflict and accountability and the uncomfortable dynamics of relationships with a screen as a shield.

"We can feel like we are a part of each other's lives without really entering into each others lives," Hanson said. "We can turn it off if we want to."

To encourage interaction, the Lampost created an atmosphere conducive for conversation. Tables and booths, books and games, beverages and snacks are all available.

"Coffee shops are still one place where we pause … interact," Hanson said. "We want to nourish that."

Pastor Hanes of Kaio Church thinks meaningful conversations are possible online, even to the point of influence. But the rules of evangelism still apply and building relationships matters.

"They aren't going to listen if I just name my screen name 'God is awesome,'" Hanes said.

But Hanes also has noticed that intense discussions online don't necessarily carry motivation to alter behavior, which for many churches is precisely the point.

"I'm not a changed person because I just have information," Hanes said.

Some topics and types of conversation - like conflict resolution or requests for volunteers - are better left to good, old-fashioned conversation, Hanes thinks.

"Human interaction, you have to remember, is really the best way, the nicest way to motivate people about something," he said.

" … That's why we still gather."

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.