wfn.org | Modern Technology Shares News and Beliefs

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

June 13, 1999
Adventist Press Service(APD)
Christian B. Schäffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland 
 

Modern Technology Shares News and Beliefs

Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.  The Seventh-day Adventist 
Church is continuing to advance its use of modern 
technology, especially on the Internet.  The Church's main 
website at www.adventist.org is being developed and 
upgraded using increased technical expertise.  
The site shares information on the church's history, 
fundamental beliefs, facts and figures, mission and 
structure.

"We have found that technology is one of the best 
ways to share news and beliefs," says Jonathan 
Gallagher, news director for the Seventh-day Adventist 
Church.  "Our weekly bulletins, which are posted on the 
web, keep the World Church updated on current events 
and provides them with features of what church members 
are doing around the world.  More innovative aspects are 
planned as a new server is brought online this summer."

And the World Church is responding to this technology.  
Currently the website receives 20,000 "hits" every day, 
which translates to approximately 1000 individual 
visits, or more than a third of a million annually.  One of 
the favorite features of the site has been the sunset 
calculator, where visitors can calculate sunset at any 
specific place around the world.  

"This is a means by which church members can access 
the information right away," says Gallagher.  "We at 
the news office are happy to provide this service." 

The website has recently undergone some redesign 
and upgrade.  John Beckett, technical web master for 
the site, is working on automated e-mail news services 
and search functions, among other projects.  

"We are working on providing more 'user-friendly' 
options on the site," says Beckett.  "The search functions 
will allow visitors to search for specific stories, features 
or news items."  

Beckett, along with the Church's Communication 
Department, is working with the various church 
departments as they develop their websites. Visitors will be 
able to access departmental websites through the main site.  

"We are also developing plans for a 'virtual GC' where 
individuals can visit our site during the Church's world 
session in 2000 and see 'live' what is happening in 
Toronto," says Gallagher.  "The web site will play a key 
role in distributing news and information during the 
World Church Session."