The Information Technology (IT) Department of the Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide (CAC) is a vital support service for the church’s expanding ministries. Download CAC IT Charter

Abiodun Olowe IT Leader

Need for IT Department

God is an excellent GOD. Everything about Him should speak to excellence.

Isaiah 28: 29 This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Hebrews 11: 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

To demonstrate the Spiritual growth of a church, Paul wrote in I Corinthians 12: 31: But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Technology in carrying out church mission cannot be an afterthought. People’s expectations are just too high. In using technology, we must strive to do everything as unto Christ. What are people seeing when they come to our church web sites? Does it compellingly reflect Christ through its production values? What is our level of quality saying about the type of church we are? Are we communicating mediocrity, inward focus, and lack of attention? What software do we use to manage our membership? How do we connect to the Internet? The IT Department is there to implement policies to answer these questions.

As the Body of Christ, we are called to carry on Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost. This great commission, given to us by Christ himself, lies at the heart of who we are as disciples. The question is how can we engage our digital culture with God's timeless message? Just as in previous eras we must engage the communications mediums of the day, learn to use them effectively, and develop strategic approaches to sharing our faith with the world.

The January 2005 issue of Church Executive had an exceptional article that is very helpful called "Does your website attract young families?" The author echoes: "...many potential young visitors to a church will visit her website before they ever come inside the building. They will research the congregation and decide whether or not to visit based on what they find online."

The Birth of IT Department

The CAC Worldwide Website was officially launched by Pastor E.H.L. Olusheye at the Western DCC USA Convention at Houston, Texas, USA in August 2003. Prior to this, there were some efforts to network the CAC General Secretariat. Pastor Joshua Owoeye, Ph.D.(Chairman, WDCC) and Abiodun Olowe, Ph.D. (later the WDCC Publicity Secretary) were at the origin of the creation of the CAC Worldwide website. Others who got involved then were Pastor Gideon Okegwemeh, (General Secretary), Pastor Israel Akinlawon (Overseas Liason Officer), and Pastor Joseph Olawale (WDCC Secretary). After the launching of the Worldwide Website, IT Representatives were appointed to update DCC information on the Worldwide website. This structure is first of its kind and has proven to be very effective as it enables the website to be micro managed by individuals.

An IT workshop was organized in 2005 where a committee was set up to look into IT Charter. A draft of the Charter was presented to the Trustee on March 16, 2006 and the IT Department was officially approved.

IT Vision

The IT Department will aim at an efficient delivery of services to the Church and to the world using Information Technology as an enabling tool. To this effect, IT Department will work closely with other departments of the Church to achieve excellence.

Mission and Objectives

1. The primary mission of the CAC IT Department is to put good use of technology.
2. As part of its educational mission and strategic plan, the CAC IT Department will provide state-of-the-art information technology to meet the needs of the Church in research, teaching, and evangelism.
3. The CAC IT Department will acquire, develop, and maintain data and information, computers, laptop computers, computer systems and networks for the worldwide secretariat and designated ministers. These information technology (IT) resources are intended for CAC related purposes, including direct and indirect support of the CAC authority’s instruction, research and service missions; CAC administrative functions; and the free exchange of ideas within the CAC community and among the CAC community and the wider local, national, and world communities.
4. The CAC IT Department will support the goals of CAC by assuring the availability, integrity and appropriate confidentiality of information.
5. The IT Department will consult with ministries on their technology needs and get involved in all major technology initiatives excluding audio/visual presentation technology
6. The IT Department will facilitate fast dissemination of information
7. The IT Department will enhance and Support CAC Ministries.
8. The IT Department will provide expanded opportunities for connection of members worldwide
9. The IT Department will provide facilities to enhance outreach (electronic content designed to allow people to explore Christ and our community of faith on the periphery)
10. The IT Department will provide facilities to empower members to share their faith and the church with their circles of influence
11. The IT Department will in no way supplant opportunities for personal connection in small groups or other interpersonal approaches.
12. The IT Department will provide resources to know about CAC through Internet.
13. The IT Department will develop and deliver Internet based learning material and literature to the interested.
14. The IT Department will set the Website standards for all CAC Churches.
15. The IT Department will provide for increased awareness of and attention to the issues of information technology within the church organization and its activities, especially policy, issue analysis and interpretation
16. The IT Department will encourage the development and provision for resources that are accessible and responsive to the needs of CAC assemblies, DCCs, Zones, and other partners in ministry

Units of IT

The IT Department is composed of four units:

Training/Admin Unit
This Unit is responsible for

• training the staff, ministers, and their volunteers in software applications;
• Implementing the Computer Literacy Program of the IT Department;
• Organizing training, workshops, and awareness events;
• Creating and maintaining centralized CAC IT Department policies, standards, and procedures.

• Website content publishing;
• Website development;
• Website maintenance;
• Internet research.

• recommending desktop hardware and software for our churches;
• installing and maintaining PCs at the worldwide secretariat;
• providing Help Desk support for staff users;
• troubleshooting.

• keeping the church connected with network solutions;
• recommending email and Internet services.