JORDAN HOLM
Staff Writer
iPods have become what cell phones were to most college students five years ago — the latest must-have technology. Though many would now consider the cell phone a necessity item, iPods still seem at the height of their popularity. New features are out on the market to attract listeners to spend even more time with their iPods, and one of these new features goes by the name of Godcast 1000.
Godcast 1000 is a Web site that provides a database of sermons, Bible studies and Christian music that people can download onto their iPods. Thousands of sermons are made available each week, and the topics range from discussion about the different ways God works throughout the world to short, daily devotionals, and even the teaching of the Bible.
“People find it very convenient to download a sermon and listen to it if they have to miss church,” said Malibu Presbyterian Communication Director Tim Jones.
Malibu Presbyterian has been downloading its sermons onto mp3 files for about a year now.
“We are very fortunate to be able to have the resources to be able to provide these podcasts,” Jones said.
Jones said he has received nothing but positive feedback from the users of the available sermon podcasts, but he also sees a potential danger to them.
“The church needs to make certain that they don’t use the ability to podcast as a sort of trophy, a way of exhibiting they’re technological savvy,” Jones said. “As a church we want to be of the world, but we do not want to conform to the world, and it is very important that we do not portray that.”
Pepperdine associate professor of religion Christopher Heard agreed. He has downloaded a few podcasts from Godcast 1000 is in the past and said the sermons and music available spread both good and bad ideas.
“It has its benefits as long as people are being discerning and not just swallowing everything,” Heard said. “People just need to be careful about what they listen to and make good choices.”
But, Godcast 1000 also has distinguishable benefits. Being that the site offers podcasts on a number of religious issues relevant to many around the globe, it has the potential to reach a diverse group of people and impact their lives.
Pepperdine junior Hunter Stanfield is one student who enjoys listening to sermons on his iPod and has been touched by Godcast 1000.
“I find it so relaxing to be able to hear something else besides music come out of my headphones,” Stanfield said.
Stanfield said that listening to sermons is great when he needs some quiet time.
“Listening to a sermon on my iPod enables me to have that me time with myself,” he said. “I’m not drowning myself in music, I’m listening to something that helps me and teaches me on issues that I go through in my everyday life.”
Many students say they share Stanfield’s opinion and are optimistic about the value Godcast can have.
People everywhere are realizing it is a tool that holds unlimited power for the church. Not only can a message be heard in the confines of a room, but it can now be heard across the world.
For example, Godcast 1000 enables a sermon delivered in Montana to reach people in Australia.
No matter what a person is looking for, they can more than likely find it on the Godcast 1000 database, which continues to grow everyday.
11-09-2006