From the BBC's Thought For The Day through to glitzy shows by evangelical preachers, religious broadcasting is not new. It has, however, shown a canny ability to adapt its message to emerging media, as a wave of "godcasts" designed to be downloaded and played on iPods demonstrates.

The USA's National Community Church has run a blog for two years. Now its pastor, the Reverend Mark Batterson has turned his attention to podcasting - or "godcasting."

He told the International Herald Tribune that uploading sermons to the church's website allows parishioners who might miss Sunday service to catch up on his lessons, and also brings the church's teachings to a larger audience, some of whom end up joining the congregation at the National Community.

Rev Batterson says that podcasts allow every church to have its own radio show, effectively building a "digital discipleship" that was once within reach of only the wealthiest ministries.

The Godcast Network brings together a selection of podcasts from religious groups, from the laid-back Bored Again Christian ("Christian music for people who can't stand Christian music") to a minister who delivers much of his sermons in Klingon. More mainstream fare can be found at the Catholic Insider, a stylish podcast/blog run by a young Dutch priest, who recommends his podcasts be downloaded to portable media players he describes as "Praystation Portables."

Rev Batterson claims that the effect of podcasting on the US's myriad smaller churches and religious groups could have the same effect as the Gutenberg printing press had on religious teaching in the 15th century. A familiar trope for new media watchers, of course, but in a religious context the comparison takes on revolutionary tones: Indeed, the first impact that springs to mind is how a download-at-your-leisure sermon for digital religious communities could challenge the principle of Sunday services, never mind church building. Though few observers reckon that digital sermonising will replace traditional worship altogether, it is all but certain that a wholly online church will open.

And after that? It's only a matter of time before someone figures out how to deliver holy communion online.

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Related links

• National Community Church
• The Godcast Network
• Catholic Insider