Godcasting: The Podcast's Killer App?

Podcasting, using portable MP3 players to time-shift audio broadcasts, is the latest Internet buzzword. There are already hundreds of podcasts, including news programming, political discussions, music and comedy. Based on the number of religious-themed programs being distributed, though, it looks like Godcasting may be the podcast's first killer app.

Podcasting lets users subscribe to an audio program and have it automatically downloaded to an MP3 player. Once it's on your portable audio player, you can listen to it whenever you like. The beauty of podcasting is that it takes care of keeping your MP3 player current automatically.

Though the technology is still very new, it's being embraced by Christians, Buddhists, and Hare Krishna to help distribute religious messages:

• Pitts Baptist Church in Concord, NC, is using podcasts to distribute weekly sermons.
• Hare Krishna in Denton, TX use podcasts to share audio recordings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
• LamRim.com uses them to deliver Tibetan Buddhist Internet Radio.

The technology is a good match for religious content. Many religious groups generate new audio content in the form of sermons, music or services every week. This content is often recorded for sharing with shut-ins, people in hospitals and others that can't attend services.

Podcasting can be used to automate the distribution of religious audio programs.

It's sometimes said that technology adoption is driven by pornography. In this case, it looks like the combination of frequently updated audio content and dedicated listeners is making religious broadcasting one of podcasting's first killer apps.

Resources

• Religious Podcasts in the Podcast Directory
• How to Podcast