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CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of Study The church of Liberia has changed dramatically over the past few decades in many areas. One of the biggest changes in recent years regarding the church has been the use of communications technology. Many churches both large and small currently utilize communications technology as an integral part of their church services to enhance the experience for the participants and the ministry. Communications technology, such as television, radio, vsat, satellite, video cameras, projectors, dvd players, cd players, sound boards, iPods, modem, computers, websites, fiber optic cable technology, the Internet, cell phones, live Internet streaming, and other related technology has changed the way people worship, preach, and spread the gospel inside and outside the church. Communication Technology has allowed church services to be viewed and recorded in a manner that allows churches to package the services for sale and distribution to people who attend church along with people who do not attend church but wish to view the services. Moreover, cable television and radio has provided the opportunity for cable channels to be developed that cater specifically to religious programming to be play on different radio stations. This provides churches the opportunity to be seen, and heard by millions of people on a regular basis. In addition, the Internet allows people to upload videos and live pictures, visit church websites and learn more about churches through reading church bulletins online. Also, the websites provide the chance to view church services live or recorded. The church has a long tradition of using technology to enhance the church experience; the constant progression of innovation has been a reality of the human race for thousands of years now. We adapt, grow, and change as we discover new ideas, technologies and desires. The challenge this has brought to the church is maintaining the integrity of the gospel within a new paradigm. There are many great examples where the church not only embraced progress but harnessed it for growth, as with the printing press. However, in our time and our generation the printing press is long since passed and flyers and church bulletins are becoming more and more outdated with each passing day. So how can a church reach out and communicate with today's world? That can be done through social media. The new world's communication seems to have something to do with this social media however many churches are hesitant or delayed in attacking the opportunity of social media. In more recent times, the invention of modern technology such as microphones, speakers, monitors, radio, video recorders, DVDs, VCDs, CDs, microchip, cell phones and tape cassettes have all contributed to the growth of the church and the church experience. Moreover, modern technology in today’s church has propelled church to new heights. The ability for modern technology to reach people outside the physical confines of the church has allowed the church to be seen, heard and viewed by the masses. Likewise, it has provided pastors, preachers, choirs and singers the opportunity to be seen, viewed and heard in ways that would be impossible without the contribution of modern technology. In many ways, the adoption of information technology in the church, as we know it today can be closely tied to the contributions and implementations of modern technology in today’s church. Before recent modern technology, the church was more of a local neighborhood experience because people had to actually be present in the church to participate in the service. However, technology has removed local church restraints and has made participation in church worship a more comfortable, entertaining and enjoyable experience that can be viewed from a variety of visual, audio or live options. With the use of any technology, there are positives and negatives to the experience. For example, many people look at church bulletins online rather than actually going to the church. Then, the question that comes to mind is, whether the church has overused modern communication technology to the extent that church has become more of a production than a worship experience for its participants and viewers. However, it is hard to dispute that modern technology has made significant contributions to the growth and worship experience in the popularity of the church. 1.2. Statement of Problem Communications technology has enormous benefits and has made significant contributions to the Church. Such which imparted the church include advertising, slideshow presentations, video streaming or displays screens on large monitors, display of songs at worship services, live display of preachers, singers, and evangelist live on giant screen as they preach, using projectors to present messages, scripture reading text, live phone video call and visual display. Communication technology has bridge the gap of distance barrier that enable one to hear, and see live images from any part of the world, such devices that aid this process are Televisions, Radio, VSAT, Computers, Mobile Phones, CDs, DVDs, USB Modem, projector, cassette, satellite and many more. Unfortunately with such immense contributions and availability that communication technology has to enhance the effectiveness of preaching and spreading the gospel, Yet many Baptist Churches under the auspices of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Education Conventions are not taking the advantage of communications technology for effective ministries in Liberia. Because of the lack of communications technology employ in Baptist Churches under the convention they are highly limited by the influence and affects their ministries has on the members, community and the society at large in spreading and preaching the gospel. With these factors hindering the Baptist Churches, it is a necessity that Baptist Churches within the Convention promotes the adequate used of communications technology for ministry purpose, to be equip, effective and efficient end users with the used of modern communication technologies in every aspect of work. 1.3 Research Questions 1.	To what extent has information and communications technology been employed in the Liberia Baptist Convention Churches? 2.	What is the usefulness of information and communication technology in the Liberia Baptist Convention Churches? 3.	How efficient and effective will information and communication technology infrastructure and resources help the Liberia Baptist Convention Churches? 4.	What are the factors hindering the used of communication technology in Baptist Churches? 5.	Why do they Liberia Baptist Convention Churches need the use of communication technology? 6.	What will it take to persuade Liberia Baptist Convention Churches to become really involved in radio, television, and satellites to join the communication revolution?

1.4	Purpose Of Study This research work focuses on why churches under the Liberia Baptist Convention are not moving in the direction of using communications technology as we now live in global village and information era, with which communications technology has contributed to our society in varieties of ways and the church is no exception. The research will be to inspect, with the enormous contributions, and implication technology offers in enhancing the proclamation of the gospel, many Baptist Churches within the convention are not moving in such direction in the propagation of the gospel message easily. The research work highlights the advantages or merit associated with ICT for the Liberia Baptist Convention Churches.

1.5 Significance of Study 1. This research will be expected to provide basis investigative, comprehensive data on technological, contributions and implication for Baptist Churches within the convention in Liberia in proclaiming the gospel within their local or collective congregation. 2. The research will establish the existing gaps of the adoption of technology in its contributions and implications for the Liberia Baptist Convention Churches so that they can move from traditions and adapt in a new way of preaching and spreading the gospel. 3.  The investigative output of this research will serve as a blueprint for Baptist Churches within the convention, so that Pastors, Deacons, researchers, lecturers, students, and teachers can alleviate from traditions to adapt in a new way what communication technology has to offered the Liberia Baptist Convention Churches to chart the right course of action for the use of information and communication technology in many ways for ministries. 1.6 Delimitation The range of Communication Technology is a very broad topic. Communication technology is the activity of designing, constructing and maintaining communication systems. In the 21 century or modern era it is referred to as ICT. Information and communications technology includes and communication device or application such as (projectors, video cameras, satellite TV system, radio communication and applications programs like adobe premier pro, and Movie Maker). The research will be focusing on the contributions of technology and its implications in the Baptist Church in Liberia. This study is limited to six Baptist Churches in the central region and will not extend to other regions within Liberia, even though the findings and conclusion may be applied to those areas. The time frame for this study is two academic semesters i.e. from March to December at which time this research would hopefully be completed. 1.7 Constraints Although conscious efforts will be made by the researcher to ensure the data anticipated will be valid, the findings will be reliable; If there is any short coming among others in the design and the execution of this research than it will lie on the scarcity of resources in the form of financial constraints, time constraint and materials needed for the project work. i. The researcher for see the lack of ICT facilitates in the Liberia Baptist Convention Churches that will hinder the proper findings of this work. ii. The researcher see the traditional form of worship in Baptist Church services within the Convention will serve as a hindrance to adapt to a new form of worship with communication technology and maintain the integrity of the gospel iii. The researcher assumes difficulties in a survey of the availability of information and communication technology tools in Baptist Churches in the central region. 1.8 Operational Definitions These operational definitions will give a greater understanding of these terms used in this research work. 1.	Technology- The word technology is derived from Greek “tekhnologia”, “systematic treatment of an art of craft: teckhne, skill the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment. Or the total knowledge and skills available to any human society for industry, art, craft, and science”. 2.	Church- The word church is derived from the Greek word “ecclesia”. “The original meaning has to do with any called gathering of people to meet for any stated purpose.” The researcher thinks that this definition it not only limited to people but also carry a connotation of a physical building where called people are gather to worship some deity. 3.	ICT – “Information Communication Technology refers to all communication related technologies, including the internet, email, SMS, telephones, televisions, radios, DVDs, CDs, Projectors and mobile Phones”. Etc. However, for the purpose of this work we will look at DCT- Digital Communication Technology are digital tools that allow two or more people to communicate with one another. These can be written, verbal, visual or audible communication.

1.9 Organization of Study This research study will be proficient in five individual chapters. The first chapter will communicate the broad groundwork upon which the entire work will be build. The second chapter which is the literature review will develop on the area under discussion, the investigation into the contributions and its implications in the proclaiming of the gospel in the Baptist Church. The third chapter will sufficiently excavate the innovative meaning of the concept of technology, the church, preaching and spreading the gospel. The fourth chapter will express the study of the various answers of technology and the firth chapter which is the final chapter, will give a summary of the findings, conclusion, recommendations, and suggestions for further studies. This research paper will be completed in the period of two academic semesters, from March to December 2012.