(cont)

users each day, not bad for a newspaper whose circulation is around a third of that.

“It’s a little worrying really.” Says Tim. “People are reading less and less, and are becoming more media-savvy, and the church has to reflect that too.”

Currently there are just three or four Dioceses across the UK who have adopted the technology, of which Lincolnshire was among the first, but with the medium proving cost effective, more dioceses are certain to follow, especially given how easy it is.

The computer on Will’s desk has all the hardware necessary to produce a podcast, and after preparing a message, the three bishops currently involved in the technology, the Bishops of Lincoln, Grantham and Grimsby, merely have to sit in front of the computer and record their message.

Afterwards, Will can edit the speech using a free piece of software called Audacity and add a little ‘podsafe’ music to introduce the piece, before publishing it to the internet.

Users download their music to their computers and at the same time, the PC checks for new material from the users’ chosen podcast subscriptions, so the Diocese’s podcasts automatically download with no trailing through websites or regular checks for new material.

“It’s a great way of reaching younger people.” Says Will. “But it’s also ideal for those who have mobility issues or who move away from the area; they can take their Diocese with them!”

The Diocese has produced five podcasts so far, on a sporadic basis but is hoping to produce a regular monthly download, and possibly a regular video podcast. The first was recorded by Bishop David and focussed on climate change, whilst Bishop Tim’s podcast enthused about the ‘guilty pleasure’ of consumerism.

However, the undoubted star of the show so far has been Bishop John with his video podcast in conjunction with students from Grimsby College, entitled Decisive Tackle, using football as a metaphor for the spread of Christianity throughout the Western world.