Importance of the web for Parishes
July 14th, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisFor the past nine months, the Internet Ministries department has been working on a complete overhaul of an Orthodox jurisdiction’s web site and technology infrastructure. Over 1,000 man hours later the site is ready for launch. Many simply don’t understand or appreciate the time, planning, energy, and attention to detail to put together a cohesive presence and system.
When I was building the web site for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s first official visit to the USA back in 1997 we took advantage of not just cutting edge technologies but assembled things in creative and unique ways. The media especially were appreciative of the material provided and how we put it all together.
Fast forward 12 years later you have Facebook, Twittter, Flickr, YouTube. It’s not simply posting content on those sites that makes it good. Indeed, posting a video to YouTube doesn’t make it viral!
What I’ve appreciated about this project is working with people who understand one simple thing: it’s all about Christ–nothing less.
If you’re not focused on that with your web site or whatever you do, then something is missing. I feel so very blessed to have the opportunity to focus technology on Christ and work with a great team in Internet Ministeies that understands that.
While people will never, ever fully understand or truly appreciate what we, as a team do, as long as we have the ability to breathe Christ into everything we do, then that is enough and it’s worth it.
As I am preparing for this morning’s presentation (very sleep deprived, and rambling) I can look back at all we’ve been called to do. Whether it is building things for His All Holiness, the Pope’s visit, for the Archdiocese–those are incredible honors and experiences I would not trade for anything It’s not the name drops that matter. If the focus is not on Christ it is all in vain. And today, after nine months of work I feel blessed yet again and again to offer time and talent to just that: projects that focus on Christ.
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