| This paper: (1) considers the historical, theological and spiritual aspects of care and community within the priesthood of all believers, (2) reviews the office/role of pastor and laity in light of this doctrine, and (3) considers the role new technology such as the Internet and a congregational web site may play in lay and ordained ministry. A congregational website is created and tested as a new means to equip the laity as active partners in ministry. Specifically, the site is used to test members' receptivity to this new technology as a way to enhance and increase the level of connectedness and community and the degree to which the site accomplishes these objectives.;The congregational web site was designed and built by members of Christ the King Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Cary, North Carolina ("CTK"), a large and growing suburban congregation with a need to equip the saints to create lay-led ministries. CTK's members are highly mobile, represent traditional and evolving contemporary understandings and use the Internet at home and work.;The paper extends Lutheran tradition and theology through the Wesleyan Quadrilateral of Scripture, Tradition, Experience and Reason incorporating e-business experience and theory (The McKenna Group, 2000; Hagel & Armstrong, 1977) to evolve a Theotechnic Faith Community model built upon Becker's (1993) Care Group Connection work.;The paper describes an e-business staged website development process and ties the process and content to demonstrated increases in community and connection within the priesthood of all believers. Pre and post implementation surveys show high acceptance of the website (97.6%), increases in the level of pastoral care and ministry (84.6%) and increased community and connectedness. It provides theological and practical insights into the purpose, design, implementation and roles of church websites through the intersection of e-business, theology, Postmodernism and Protestant practice, tradition and history. The project recalls Luther's view of church community ("Communio sanctorum ") while looking forward to a Postmodern Reformation leveraging the Internet, an interactive printing press. |
