Asking clergy about homebound congregants

While "give me that old-time religion" is great as a song lyric, it doesn't really fly with today's tech-savvy society. Churches must embrace technology to remain relevant. We asked the clergy, "How can technology help the homebound faithful?" Here's how some congregations are making sure the homebound remain part of the flock.

Rabbi Joel Levinson, Temple Beth El of Patchogue:

We can provide digital recording, telephone conferencing, Skyping and streaming real-time classes or services to the homebound faithful. Additionally, many of these technologies allow us to reach multiple homebound people at the same time, in effect, forming a congregation within the congregation.

The challenge for clergy is to remember that technology is a tool that should be used in addition to personal visits by clergy and congregational volunteers. Technology may allow us to work smarter and more efficiently, but it never frees us from our God-given mandate to visit the sick. Technology can never replace a warm smile, a hand on a shoulder or a hug.

Some things we've done for our congregants include providing large-print prayer books, arranging telephone classes and sending digital recordings of books. My mother participates in an organization that provides teleconference classes once a month.

Even with all the technology available, the only perfect solution is actually visiting the homebound.

Charlaine Apsel, executive director, Parish Resource Center of Long Island East, Rocky Point:

There is no question we're in a transitional period to the church of the future.

Here are some ideas we came up with at the Parish Resource Center:

For homebound who have a computer, start a ministry to teach them how to use their computer to stay in touch, even sending someone in to teach them. Give lessons about using email or install the telephone and video software Skype and teach them how to use it. Find them a Skype partner.

Start an online prayer ministry and ask the homebound to become part of the group.

Send daily devotionals by email. There are many online devotionals as well. For example, beadisciple.com has an online retreat for Lent.

If your worship services are on youtube.com or streamed on your website, set up "hot links" so these are easy to find.

You can use email marketing products such as verticalresponse.com, which gives 10,000 emails free each month to churches and not-for-profits.

Start a computer refurbishment ministry in your church. Most people have bits and pieces of old computers around. Strip out all the old data and most of the programs, then give them to homebound people in your community.

The Rev. J. Gary Brinn, minister, Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ:

The fundamental unit of Christianity is two or more gathered in Jesus' name. Current technology allows that gathering, that relationship, to continue, even when distance and disability keep us apart.

Discussion boards, video chat and email help us keep in touch with congregants more regularly than we might be able to visit in person. Dynamic websites can keep members informed of community happenings in real time. Many congregations have sermons and sometimes entire worship services available for audio streaming. Online prayer groups and other resources can round out the homebound faithful's spiritual development.

There are certain congregants who, if I don't see them in church, I'll call them or drive to their house to check on them. Others, if they're not going to be there Sunday, shoot me an email in advance.

One nice thing about technology, if we have a prayer request, it doesn't have to wait until Sunday. It also allows the homebound faithful to stay connected with fellow congregants and to feel they are taking part and feel spiritually connected.

The Rev. Dr. Edwin Jones, Seaford United Methodist Church, Seaford:

One of the dangers of the homebound is that they feel abandoned and isolated from the congregation. Our role at the church is to bring them back into the congregation, although not physically, but that they have a place and are part of the family.

My wife and I have relied on Skype to stay connected to family around the world. Through Skype, we can talk to our granddaughter, see her face, her smile and watch her move around the room. We know if she's doing OK. Churches can do that with congregants. We can see and hear whether they're OK. If not, we can arrange a home visit.

We have a computer room now where we teach preschoolers to become computer savvy. We are in discussions to offer classes to elder members.

It is up to us to teach the homebound elderly to use technology. They don't have to be on Facebook or tweeting or using the latest technology. They do need to feel -- and be -- connected.