Computer Shepherd Ministries

A Service for Local Churches
of the Connecticut Conference
United Church of Christ

Computer Consulting, Training and Support Services for the Local Church

The Connecticut Conference is pleased to offer its congregations an affordable way to develop, extend, and maintain their computer-based support and communications. The Computer Shepherd ministry provides needs analysis, instruction, and help desk services, with a real understanding of local church needs, at significantly reduced rates.

Services

Churches have different needs and different resources to give to their information management. Here are a few possible scenarios. Can you see your church's needs reflected in one or more of these situations?

The church office's computer is old. It needs replacement. The pastor could use a computer, too. Can we get them to share information with each other?: Our consultant can research available systems and provide an equipment and software purchase recommendation to the church. When the equipment arrives, our consultant can install it, configure it, move the data from the old computer, and set up a Local Area Network using either wired or wireless connections to allow the computers to share information. They can also share a dial-up or high-speed Internet connection.
The church needs a web site. We're not sure what to do.: Our consultant can work with a small group in the church to understand the planning process and the technical resources needed to create a local church web site. If the church can identify someone to design and maintain the site, our consultant can provide training for that person, and ongoing support as they need it.
We have a larger church, and we really need someone to support our growing computer network.: Our consultant can perform periodic maintenance and provide both remote and on-site support as needed.
We just got a computer, and nobody knows how to use it.: Our consultant can provide training to church staff members and other volunteers to understand the tools they have and get more use out of them. We can also provide classes for larger groups from several churches.
Something happened. It doesn't work any more!: Call the Connecticut Conference and ask for our consultant. It may be a simple problem, or it may be more complex; our consultant will work with you to get it fixed so that you can do the work you need to do and support the church.

Rates

The hourly rate for any of these services is $50, which represents a considerable savings over the $75 to $125 rates you could be charged elsewhere. This one-of-a-kind ministry can help you develop the best ways to offer timely and accurate news and information about the life of your church.

Block Time Purchasing

Churches may purchase blocks of ten hours of consulting and support time in advance at a 5% discount: $47.50 per hour, or $475 for ten hours. Churches may also purchase a block of twenty hours at a 10% discount: $45 per hour, or $900 for twenty hours. These can save money on large projects or provide a ready source of support at reduced rates.

About the "Shepherd"

Computer Shepherd consulting services are provided by the Conference's Electronic Media Specialist, the Rev. Eric S. Anderson. He has provided computer consulting services for over ten years, including the design and maintenance of the Connecticut Conference web site and management of its computer resources. His pastoral experience in Maine and Connecticut gives him a unique insight into the communications challenges and opportunities that face the modern church.