Interview with Andre Barnes of !mpact Church, Bringing Chuch Online

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Andre Barnes, technology director at !mpact Church in Atlanta, GA. Barnes is responsible for helping establish the church’s technology infrastructure, as well as overseeing the church’s website and technology outreach efforts. Here’s a brief intro about Andre:

Maurice Cherry: Tell us how you got involved with working with Impact Church in your current role.

Andre Barnes: I was introduced to !mpact through the former Marketing Lead, Alicia Ingram. I got interviewed several times before I was selected because !mpact was looking for someone that was forward thinking and that would always keep them on the edge of new technology. Furthermore, I did attend !mpact’s Worship Experience before I got the job because I wanted to see if this organization was for me.

MC: A lot of churches, particularly Black churches, are starting to catch on to using the web to get information to their congregation and to reach out to prospective members. What are your thoughts on this, and how has having an active web presence helped !mpact Church?

AB: Here at !mpact we converse a lot about “convenience”. Technology has be to as convenient for people as possible and this is true for churches too. Getting the message of God to as many people as possible in an effective manner is the key and utilizing web technologies such as social networks, blogs and email is the way to go right now.

By having an active web presence, it has helped !mpact with getting more people to hear the word of God and see the word of God work through people. In the technology department we go by the three “Cs”:

• Connecting: We believe that the web gives us the ability to engage with people that would probably never step foot in our Worship Experience. However, we know that we can offer them the same level of engagement if they were with us physically.
• Continuing the Conversation: Church does not end on Sunday nor does God’s word. It is important for us to make sure that people are receiving God’s message 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
• Convenience: As simple as making things convenient is, churches do not do this enough; especially, on the web. For example, a church should not just email out their newsletter, they should post it on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks so their community does not have to go to their inbox all the time. The web is a big circle, what goes around comes around. It you post your newsletter on Facebook have links that will take your community back to your website.

MC: There are some who say that churches have no place online and should be be used as a substitute for in-person fellowship. What are your thoughts on that?

AB: Here at !mpact, we just do not say that were “Doing Church Differently”, we do it!
We understand that what we do is not the best way for all churches; however, for us having a strong online presence works great. Similar to lifechurch.tv, we would be totally satisfied if we have the majority of our community online watching our Worship Experience and giving than having them physically present.

MC: You’re also very active in the Atlanta chapter of the Black Data Processing Associates. Tell us about the work you do there.

AB: Currently, I am the Lead instructor for their High School Program that teaches students web technologies. Effectively teaching others what I know is a passion of mine and I have been blessed with this opportunity.

MC: Do you have any projects you’re working on now you’d like to share with Black Web 2.0?

AB: I am working on a few projects that will be coming out this year. However, one that has recently launched is called bvers.es. It is a short url service which currently gives people the ability not only to share a link but a bible verse too. My personal website is www.drebarnes.com.

You can find out more about !mpact Church and Andre’s work, check him out on Twitter. Also, check out their website, and follow them on both Twitter and Facebook.

About the Author
Maurice Cherry is a web, graphic and print designer in Atlanta, GA. A graduate of Morehouse College, Maurice also works as a freelance web designer and electronic media consultant, working with entrepreneurs and small businesses on leveraging blogs, podcasts and other online technologies for their marketing and public relations needs. Maurice Cherry is also the creator behind the Black Weblog Awards.
See all posts by Maurice Cherry.