‘Technology has been a game-changer in enabling my connection with the church’
How digital technology has blessed the life and ministry of Derby Urban Church in many unexpected and positive ways, with Chandra Morbey and Graham Watkins
The church (formerly known as Osmaston (Ozzy) Road Baptist Church) used digital picture frames to reach vulnerable members of its congregation not on the internet during the Covid lockdowns. Each frame was uploaded with personalised messages and contained several hours of material, including information about church activities and videos of recent services.
It was an ‘ingenious solution’ which resulted in the church winning the Baptist Insurance Tales of Technology competition in 2022. The recipients of the frames were very appreciative, says secretary Chandra Morbey.
“Many were living alone so lockdown was very hard, and the feedback we had was amazing – they were so delighted to be able to join in with worship, and really touched that we’d made the effort.
“And we were totally amazed we won the Tales of Technology competition – it was one of the highlights of our church year, especially the visit of Hayley Young (then President) to present us with the cheque – we’ve never hosted the President before!”
The digital frames are still being used to solve the problem of those who can neither attend a service nor watch online.
Derby Urban Church continues to livestream its services and has discovered four main groups accessing them: those who can’t make it that Sunday for a particular reason; new people looking for a church; an international audience too – people from the three locations the church has visited on mission trips (Slovakia pre-lockdown; Czechia and India) join online. “Wonderful things can happen – for example we might be in Derby praying about the floods in India and see a comment come up on the livechat from our friends there.”
The fourth group is the one of which least is known. “We have no idea who they are,” adds Chandra. “Hopefully they’ll find a way of getting in touch so we can get to know them at some point.”
The church is multi-congregational and the Roma City Youth Church congregation has taken up the technology challenge, making regular videos. These are written by the young people, in English and Roma for Slovakian families in Derby. It’s called Media Kids Church – MKC on YouTube.
The church has invested the competition money in making its livestreaming equipment more permanent – moving from a tangle of loose wires to cameras fixed on the walls, and upgrading its webcam so it can zoom in and take different angles. Two other churches use this equipment on Sundays. “We are livestreaming the good news message of Jesus in English, French, Punjabi, Slovakian and Roma every week!” notes Chandra.
Perhaps its impact can be summed up by a young man
who joined the congregation earlier this year, initially online and then onsite, before being baptised in June.
“Technology has been a game-changer in enabling my connection with Ozzy Road Church. Through online platforms and social media, I can participate in virtual services, access inspiring sermons, and engage with the church community, fostering a sense of belonging and spiritual growth like never before.”
Minister Graham Watkins adds: “Just before any of us had heard of Covid-19, someone said to me – why aren’t we considering a digital congregation? I said “No way!”
“How times have changed. We are still reflecting on how best to use technology, especially on how to
encourage people who are watching online locally to come along onsite. Maybe one day we’ll find a way to
make an entirely online congregation which we can say truly is church, and not just a stepping stone to onsite worship and community.”
www.derbyurbanchurch.com
Facebook: Ozzy Road Church
Youtube: @OzzyRoad1