Campbellsville University holds technology and ministry workshop for churches

By Candice Boone, student news writer

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Mary Kate Young of Paris, Ky., left, and Emma Calvert of Scottsville, Ky., leads a session in the worship and technology workshop. (Campbellsville University Photo by Candice Boone)

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (12/17/2014)(readMedia)-- Students and faculty from Campbellsville University's School of Theology and School of Music hosted a workshop recently titled "Making the Pieces Fit."

"The purpose of this workshop was to serve and equip church leaders and volunteers in the rapidly changing world of technology in ministry," said Dr. Shane Garrison, associate professor of educational ministries and director of theology online.

"Churches, in our modern day, have to be fully functional in online marketing, graphic design, social media and desktop publishing. Every church has a mission given by God. We want to help them communicate and achieve that mission."

There were 12 churches present with 28 total participants. The churches represented at the workshop included churches from Taylor, Adair, Russell, Whitley, Breckinridge, Hart and Green counties.

Students led most of the workshops with the exception of the sound and lighting design led by Robert Bender, CU coordinator of audio and visual services.

Among the workshops offered were: Stage Craft and Set Design, led by Fred Hoagland of Falls of Rough, Ky. Clayton Brooks of Bardstown, Ky., worship arts major, and Drew O'Neal of Campbellsville, educational ministries major, led a workshop titled Worship Presentation Software and Design. Leading the Church Web Design and Podcasting workshop was mass communication student Josh McCoin of Frankfort, Ky. and educational ministries major, Chris Wright of Williamsburg, Ky.

In the second round of workshops there was Print Publishing led by educational ministries major Emma Calvert of Scottsville, Ky. and worship arts major Mary Kate Young of Paris, Ky., was held for Social Media Integration was led by educational ministries major Jon Kattus of Versailles, Ky., and worship arts major Devan Bishop of Columbia, Ky.

Garrison said, "I was personally very proud of our student presenters. Their topics were relevant, informative and professional. They shared from personal experience and left a lasting impression on those who came.

"The mission of the CU School of Theology is to produce world changers for Christ who are passionately evangelical, church connected, spiritual entrepreneurs. These student presenters demonstrated that mission and helped equip these leaders to more faithfully and effectively serve the kingdom of God in their local context."

The workshop was done in part in response to a request from the Campbellsville University Church Relations Council during the CRC's spring 2014 meeting.

"CU very intentionally engages with the local church. This is another example of how we are working with our CRC and leaders of local churches in engaging our faculty, staff, and students in helping churches to be better engaged in ministry," said Dr. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.