| Conference benefits from seminars by satellite Across the Baltimore-Washington Conference, 38 churches, plus West River and Manidokan retreat and camping centers, receive monthly, interactive congregational training seminars, along with occasional special events, broadcast live on the Church Communication Network (CCN). The conference has the largest number of satellite downlink sites among CCNs various subscribing faith groups, and The United Methodist Church has more downlink sites than any other denomination. CCNs topics cover primarily religion, spiritual growth and strategies and trends in evangelism, discipleship and leadership development. Most of the programs, led by popular authors, speakers and leaders of successful, growing churches, are beamed from CCNs studios in Mountain View, Calif. Viewing audiences at downlink sites can send in questions and comments to seminar speakers by e-mail, fax or telephone and have them answered during or after the broadcast. The conferences Board of Congregational Life began a relationship with CCN in 1999, shortly after the company was formed. The board subsidized the purchase of satellite equipment, costing $500 per site, plus initial subscriptions at $1,200 annually, for some of the conferences initiative churches and those receiving Equitable Compensation grants. Its goal has been to expand the number of downlink sites. We could see the cutting-edge ideas and innovative speakers CCN was offering through this groundbreaking use of satellite technology, said the Rev. Edwin Delong, associate council director. Our churches were and still are learning how to evangelize pre-Christians and engage in strategic ministries in some key areas. Subscriptions are now $1,100 and will continue to drop in price as more churches join the network, according to Bill Dallas, CCN co-founder and CEO. In an effort to attract new subscribers in time for its broadcast of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Service of Reconciliation and Healing, June 14, the company began a special promotion in May. It is offering to waive the equipment and activation costs $750 total for the first 20 churches to sign contracts. 'We're in this business to give churches what they need to grow their leadership and ministries,' said Dallas. 'That's why I look at every feedback form that churches send us after watching our programs. Those forms are our lifeline to knowing what churches want.' John W. Coleman, Jr. | 
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