REPORTS.

♪ RETIREMENT COMPANY.

>>> WELCOME.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US, THIS WEEK OF MORE TRAGEDY AROUND THE WORLD.

ALSO, THIS WEEK OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.

OUR MANAGING EDITOR KIM LAWTON WAS IN CLEVELAND AND SPOKE WITH DELEGATES AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF MANY FAITH TRADITIONS.

SOME WERE TRYING TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR DONALD TRUMP.

OTHERS WERE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA.

>> Reporter: THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OFFICIALLY OPENED ON MONDAY, BUT EVENTS GOT UNDERWAY SUNDAY MORNING WITH A SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE MUCH IN THE STYLE OF AN EVANGELICAL MEGACHURCH.

MIKE HUCKABEE PLAYED BASS ALONG WITH THE PRAISE BAND.

♪ THE SERVICE WAS CO-SPONSORED BY GOP FAITH, A SPECIAL DEPARTMENT OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE TASKED WITH REACHING OUT TO FAITH-BASED VOTERS, AND ESPECIALLY THE ALL-IMPORTANT VOTING BLOC OF SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES.

>> WE'RE IN AWE OF YOU LORD.

AND WHILE WE WATCH THE WORLD SEEMINGLY BEING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN, WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE ON THE THRONE.

YOU'RE IN CONTROL.

>> Reporter: CHAD CONNELLY IS NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF FAITH ENGAGEMENT FOR THE RNC.

>> IT'S OUR BIGGEST SEGMENT.

IT'S THE MOST RELIABLE VOTE.

I TELL PEOPLE THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS A NATURAL HOME FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, ACROSS TOWN, OTHER PEOPLE OF FAITH ORGANIZED A MASSIVE NONPARTISAN PROJECT CALLED "CIRCLE THE CITY WITH LOVE."

THOUSANDS OF PARTICIPANTS GATHERED TO RALLY AGAINST VIOLENCE, FEAR AND HATE.

>> WE'VE COME TOGETHER IN UNITY, TO STAND FOR LOVE, PEACE AND JUSTICE.

>> Reporter: THEY MARCHED TO THE HOPE MEMORIAL BRIDGE WHERE THEY STOOD HAND IN HAND, IN SILENCE, FOR NEARLY 30 MINUTES.

>> MOTHER TERESA SAYS UNLESS WE HAVE SILENCE, WE DON'T TOUCH OUR SOULS AND THE SOULS OF OTHERS.

>> IN SOME WAYS, IT'S A SYMBOLICç ACT, BUT AT LEAST IT'S A WAY OF GIVING A WITNESS THAT THERE IS THIS COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY COMMITTED TO WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE OF FAITH ACROSS THE SPECTRUM WERE ACTIVE IN MANY WAYS HERE IN CLEVELAND, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION HALL.

THERE WERE SEVERAL SPECIAL EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE GOP'S PLATFORM, WHICH ACTIVISTS DESCRIBED AS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE EVER.

THE EAGLE FORUM SPONSORED A LUNCHEON PRAISING REPUBLICANS FOR HOLDING FIRM ON THEIR OPPOSITION TO ABORTION.

IT WAS HEADLINED BY FOOTBALL COACHING LEGEND LOU HOLTZ AND THE GROUP'S FOUNDER, PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY, WHO HAS ATTENDED EVERY REPUBLICAN CONVENTION SINCE 1952.

THE REPUBLICAN STAND ON SOCIAL ISSUES IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO MANY EVANGELICAL VOTERS.

JIM GARLOW IS PASTOR OF SKYLINE WESLEYAN CHURCH IN SAN DIEGO.

>> I'M VERY INTERESTED IN SEEING SOME BASIC VALUES RETURN TO THE COUNTRY.

I CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT LIFE, I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT MARRIAGE, I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT ISSUES OF FISCAL SOLVENCY.

THE NATIONAL DEBT IS A -- IS A BIBLICAL-MORAL ISSUE TO ME.

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL FROM FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS EVANGELICALS FEEL INCREASINGLY AT ODDS WITH THE CULTURE AROUND THEM.

>> ARE OUR VALUES UNDER FIRE?

ABSOLUTELY.

I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT VERSUS LEFT.

IT'S RIGHT VERSUS WRONG.

AND THE WRONG WOULD LIKE TO PUT A STOP TO THE RIGHT.

>> Reporter: EVANGELICALS MAKE UP ABOUT A FIFTH OF ALL REGISTERED VOTERS.

ACCORDING TO A NEW PEW SURVEY, ABOUT 78% OF WHITE EVANGELICALS SAY THEY DO PLAN ON VOTING FOR DONALD TRUMP.

BUT 45% OF THEM SAY IT WOULD MAINLY BE A VOTE AGAINST HILLARY CLINTON RATHER THAN ONE IN SUPPORT OF TRUMP.

>> I HAVE A WIFE AND FOUR KIDS.

WE CAN'T AGREE ON A WHOPPER OR A BIG MAC.

SO, DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHO YOU LIKE AND WHO YOU DON'T LIKE, THAT'S PRETTY NORMAL IN POLITICS.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PEOPLE UNIFY.

>> Reporter: CONNELLY IS URGING EVANGELICALS WHO MAY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT TRUMP TO CONSIDER ISSUES, RATHER THAN PERSONALITIES.

HE SAYS HIS POSITION AT THE RNC WAS CREATED TO HELP MAKE SURE THOSE REPUBLICAN-LEANING RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVES ACTUALLY GET OUT AND VOTE.

>> GEORGE W. BUSH GOT SOMETHING LIKE 83.5% OF THE FAITH VOTE, PEOPLE WHO WERE COMMITTED TO CHURCH.

AND THAT NUMBER HAS COME DOWN THROUGH SENATOR McCAIN AND GOVERNOR ROMNEY, PROBABLY BECAUSE OUR SIDE JUST ASSUMED THEY WOULD COME OUT AND VOTE.

SO PART OF MY JOB IS TO TAKE THAT BACK OVER TO 81, 82.

>> Reporter: MANY ACTIVISTS SAY TRUMP'S SELECTION OF INDIANA GOVERNOR MIKE PENCE AS HIS RUNNING MATE HAS HELPED ENERGIZE THE BASE.

>> IT WAS A GAME CHANGER FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH, SPECIFICALLY HERE IN OHIO.ç I MEAN, AS MR. PENCE SAID, GOVERNOR PENCE, YOU KNOW, HE'S A CHRISTIAN, A CONSERVATIVE, AND A REPUBLICAN IN THAT ORDER.

AND HE HAS A GREAT BODY OF WORK AS GOVERNOR OF INDIANA, AS A CONGRESSMAN, AND AS A RADIO PERSONALITY IN PAST TO PROVE THAT.

>> Reporter: OHIO DELEGATE MIKE GONIDAKIS IS PRESIDENT OF OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE AND AN ACTIVE LUTHERAN.

HERE AT THE CONVENTION, HE VOTED FOR HIS GOVERNOR, JOHN KASICH, BUT SAYS HE WILL VOTE FOR TRUMP IN NOVEMBER.

>> THE NEXT PRESIDENT WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE, ARGUABLY THREE JUSTICES TO APPOINT.

AND BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE THE SUPREME COURT GETS THE FINAL WORD, WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES AS CHRISTIANS, AS PEOPLE WHO PUT FAITH AND VALUES FIRST, WHO DO WE WANT NOMINATING THESE INDIVIDUALS?

DO WE WANT?

MRS. CLINTON OR MR. TRUMP?

>> Reporter: OTHER FAITHS WERE ALSO REPRESENTED HERE.

SOME JEWISH GROUPS HELD PUBLIC, NONPARTISAN EVENTS, SUCH AS A PANEL SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE, WHERE PARTICIPANTS DISCUSSED GROWING ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD.

BUT THERE WERE STRONG INDICATIONS OF THE CHALLENGES TRUMP'S NOMINATION IS POSING FOR MANY REPUBLICAN JEWS.

THE REPUBLICAN JEWISH COALITION, WHICH USUALLY HAS A HIGH PROFILE AT THE CONVENTION, HELD ONLY CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS AND DENIED MEDIA REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEWS.

OBSERVERS SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF CONCERN ABOUT TRUMP'S RHETORIC AND THAT OF SOME OF HIS SUPPORTERS.

>> AS IT BECAME CLEAR HE WAS BECOMING THE NOMINEE, THERE WAS, "WELL, WE'VE GOT TO DEFEAT HILLARY CLINTON."

AND I'VE SPOKEN TO DONORS WHO HAVE SAID THAT AND WHO NOW WON'T BACK TRUMP.

AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT HIS CAMPAIGN HAS HAD WITH THE RHETORIC THAT HAS BEEN PERCEIVED AS -- AND IMAGES THAT HAVE BEEN PERCEIVED AS ANTI-SEMITIC.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN MUSLIMS HAVE ALSO FELT CHALLENGED, ESPECIALLY BY TRUMP'S CALLS FOR A TEMPORARY BAN ON MUSLIMS COMING TO THE U.S. >> THE MUSLIM AMERICAN COMMUNITY DOES HAVE A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE RHETORIC, AND I THINK THAT'S VERY MUCH WARRANTED.

I SHARE THOSE CONCERNS, BUT THAT ONLY UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR ALL AMERICANS, INCLUDING MUSLIM AMERICANS, TO ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS, TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD, TO ATTEND THE TOWN HALLS, TO REGISTER TO VOTE, TO VOTE.

>> Reporter: SUHAIL KHAN HELD A HIGH-RANKING POSITION IN THE GEORGE W. BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

HE URGES FELLOW MUSLIMS NOT TO GIVE UP ON THE GOP.

>> SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO REMIND SOME OF OUR FELLOW GOPers WHAT THE BEDROCK PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT REALLY ARE.

BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I CONTINUE TO HAVE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FOR AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AS AN AMERICAN, AND AS A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN, AND SO THAT BELIEF HASN'T WAVERED BY ANY DEGREE.

>> Reporter: THE RNC TRIED TO ç DEMONSTRATE RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY THROUGH THE PRAYERS THAT OPENED AND CLOSED EACH SESSION, INCLUDING PRAYERS OFFERED BY A MUSLIM TRUMP SUPPORTER, A MORMON LEADER AND A SIKH PARTY OFFICIAL.

BUT SOME OF THE PRAYERS GENERATED CONTROVERSY.

BEFORE OFFERING HIS BENEDICTION, SOUTH CAROLINA PASTOR MARK BURNS DECLARED HILLARY CLINTON AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY "THE ENEMY."

OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION HALL, SOME FAITH-BASED ACTIVISTS URGED REPUBLICANS TO CONSIDER HOW THEIR POLICIES ARE AFFECTING PEOPLE AT THE MARGINS.

>> IMMIGRATION, WEALTH INEQUALITIES, HEALTHCARE INEQUALITIES, HOUSING INEQUALITIES -- IT'S TIME NOW FOR ALL OF US TO STEP UP AND TO BUILD A NATION AND A SOCIETY IN WHICH IT'S INCLUSIVE AND NOT BASED ON GREED, AND NOT BASED ON CORPORATIONS, BUT BASED ON THE WILL OF THE BELOVED COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: NUNS ON THE BUS, A GROUP OF CATHOLIC SISTERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS, CAME TO CLEVELAND TO PROMOTE DIALOGUE ABOUT SOCIAL DIVISIONS AND ECONOMIC INEQUITIES.

BECAUSE OF SECURITY RESTRICTIONS, THEY COULDN'T BRING THEIR BUS INTO THE CONVENTION AREA, SO THEY PULLED WAGONS THROUGH THE STREETS HANDING OUT LEMONADE AND INITIATING CONVERSATIONS.

>> ASKING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS, LIKE WHO IN YOUR FAMILY IS IT DIFFICULT TO TALK TO ABOUT POLITICS, AND WHY?

BUT ALSO THINGS LIKE WHAT WORRIES YOU IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE, BUT WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE ALSO.

SO WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE WE HOPE, ONE GLASS OF LEMONADE AT A TIME.

>> Reporter: ANALYSTS SAY THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST CONTENTIOUS CONVENTIONS IN RECENT MEMORY.

STILL, MANY LEADERS HERE PLEDGED TO WORK FOR HEALING.

>> HOPEFULLY WE CAN BUILD AND UNIFY OUR PARTY AND OUR NATION BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR, WHETHER THEY'RE MILLENNIALS OR SENIOR CITIZENS WE'RE LOOKING TO UNIFY A VERY DIVIDED COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THAT MAY BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF ALL HEADING TO NOVEMBER.

I'M KIM LAWTON IN CLEVELAND.

>> NEXT WEEK, KIM WILL HAVE A SPECIAL REPORT FROM PHILADELPHIA ABOUT THE ROLE OF RELIGION AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

♪ >>> IN OTHER NEWS, IN TURKEY THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN FIRED FOR SUSPECTED INVOLVEMENT IN THE RECENT FAILED MILITARY COUP THAT KILLED SOME 300 PEOPLE.

492 MEMBERS OF THE COUNTRY'S TOP ISLAMIC AUTHORITY AND SOME 21,000 TEACHERS WERE AMONG THOSE DISMISSED.ç MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN HAS ACCUSED A U.S.-BASED CLERIC OF MASTERMINDING THE COUP.

THE CLERIC HAS DENIED ANY INVOLVEMENT.

ERDOGAN SUGGESTED THAT HE MIGHT REINSTATE THE DEATH PENALTY TO PUNISH THOSE INVOLVED IN THE UPRISING, BUT THE EUROPEAN UNION SAID THAT AS A MEMBER OF THE EU, TURKEY IS FORBIDDEN FROM REINTRODUCING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

>>> POPE FRANCIS LED A SILENT PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE RECENT TRUCK ATTACK IN NICE.

THE PONTIFF ALSO REACHED OUT TO FRENCH LEADERS AND PROMISED TO MEET WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE PEOPLE KILLED IN NICE WERE MUSLIM.

YET MANY MUSLIMS IN FRANCE SAY THEY FEEL MORE ALIENATED THAN EVER.

>>> HERE IN THE U.S., POLICE SHOOTINGS AND FRACTURED RACE RELATIONS CONTINUE.

THIS WEEK IN MIAMI, POLICE SHOT AN UNARMED BLACK MAN WHO HAD HIS ARMS IN THE AIR.

MEANWHILE, IN WASHINGTON THIS PAST WEEK, SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT EVANGELICAL LEADERS AND MUSICIANS GATHERED FOR A PRAYER RALLY THAT CALLED FOR UNITY AND THE HEALING OF THE NATION.

>> THEY SAY WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AS A WHOLE, SO THAT, YOU KNOW, THE COUNTRY CAN GO FORWARD.

>> THE EVENT CALLED TOGETHER 2016, WHICH FOCUSED ON MILLENNIALS, HAD BEEN PROMOTED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND INCLUDED A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS ALSO GATHERED AT WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL TO DISCUSS THE ROLE OF THE WHITE CHURCH IN IMPROVING RACE RELATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> I WANT TO SEE WHITE CHRISTIANS AND WHITE CLERGY JOINING WITH BLACK COMMUNITY LEADERS AND BLACK CLERGY AND TALKING TO THE SHERIFF AND THE -- IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> WE DON'T GET TO JUST GO TO ONE ANTI-RACISM WORKSHOP AND CHECK THE BOX AND SAY WE'RE DONE.

WE DON'T JUST GET TO ELECT ONE AFRICAN-AMERICAN BISHOP IN OUR DENOMINATION AND SAY WE'RE DONE IN OUR DIVERSITY.

IT'S GOT TO BE INTENTIONAL IN EVERY MOMENT, IN EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO CALL OUT OPPRESSION AND RACISM WHEN WE SEE IT.

>> THE FORUM WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS AT THE CATHEDRAL THAT WILL FOCUS ON RACIAL RECONCILIATION.

THE INITIATIVE FOLLOWED A DEBATE SURROUNDING THEç FUTURE OF STAINED GLASS WINDOWS AT THE CATHEDRAL MEMORIALIZING CONFEDERATE GENERALS ROBERT E. LEE AND THOMAS "STONEWALL" JACKSON.

>>> IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON MONDAY EVENING, MOURNERS GATHERED TO HOLD A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR ONE OF THREE POLICE OFFICERS KILLED BY AN IRAQ WAR VETERAN EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THREE OTHER OFFICERS WERE WOUNDED IN THE SHOOTING.

THE AMBUSH ROCKED A CITY STILL SHAKEN BY PROTESTS OVER THE FATAL POLICE SHOOTING OF ALTON STERLING, A 37-YEAR-OLD BLACK MAN WHO HAD BEEN CONFRONTED BY OFFICERS WHILE SELLING CDs OUTSIDE A CONVENIENCE STORE.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 50 YEARS, BUDDHISTS CELEBRATED AN IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS RITE IN TIBET.

THE RITUAL, WHICH IS SAID TO ENCOURAGE ENLIGHTENMENT, WAS LED BY A MAN CHINA DESIGNATED AS THE 11th PANCHEN LAMA, THE SECOND-HIGHEST FIGURE IN TIBETAN BUDDHISM.

MANY BUDDHISTS, HOWEVER, DENOUNCED THE CEREMONY AND SAID THEY CONSIDER THE CURRENT PANCHEN LAMA A FAKE.

TWENTY YEARS AGO, THE DALAI LAMA ANNOUNCED HIS OWN CHOICE OF A 6-YEAR-OLD BOY.

BUT CHINESE AUTHORITIES DETAINED HIM AND HE HAS NOT BEEN HEARD FROM SINCE.

>>> HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER EXPERTS GATHERED THIS WEEK IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE.

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS SAID THAT 4.5 MILLION OF THE 6.5 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN CENTRAL AND WEST AFRICA ARE NOT RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT.

THE GOAL TO GET 30 MILLION PEOPLE WITH HIV ON TREATMENT BY 2020 WAS ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH AT A U.N. CONFERENCE.

BUT DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS SAID THAT GOAL WILL NOT BE MET IF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOT PROVIDE MORE FUNDING.

>>> THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HAS ELECTED ITS FIRST OPENLY GAY BISHOP.

SHE IS KAREN OLIVETO, A MARRIED LESBIAN AND SENIOR PASTOR OF GLIDE MEMORIAL CHURCH IN SAN FRANCISCO.

SHE WAS ELECTED BISHOP JUST BEFORE CHURCH LEADERS GATHERED IN CHICAGO THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS ISSUES SURROUNDING SEXUALITY.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THE COMMISSION PLANS TO STUDY IS THE DENOMINATION'S BAN ON THE ORDINATION OF "SELF-AVOWED PRACTICING HOMOSEXUALS."

SOME IN THE CHURCH HAVE CONDEMNED OLIVETO'S ELECTION, NOTING THAT THE COMMISSION HAS YET TO FINISH ITS WORK.

>>> FINALLY, MORE AND MORE CHURCHES ARE USING STREAMING VIDEO.

CORRESPONDENT DAN LOTHIAN SAYS IT'S LIVE AND CLEAR, DIGITAL, ON THE INTERNET, NOT OVER THE AIR OR ON CABLE.

YOU CAN SEE YOUR LOCAL CHURCH SERVICES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, BUT STREAMING VIDEO CAN'T DO EVERYTHING, JUST YET.

>> Reporter: 98-YEAR-OLD PAUL HARRIS AND HIS 88-YEAR-OLD WIFE CLARA ATTEND CHURCH FAITHFULLY EVERY SUNDAY MORNING, EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER LEAVE THEIR SENIOR LIVING APARTMENT IN SUBURBAN DALLAS.

>> IT SAVES ME AN AWFUL LOT OF PHYSICAL EFFORT, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME.

MY LEGS DON'T WORK WELL.

SO IT IS JUST BETTER FOR ME TO STAY HOME.

>> Reporter: NOW INSTEAD OF PACKING HIS WALKER INTO THEIR CAR AND DRIVING TO CHURCH, PAUL AND CLARA TAKE A FEW STEPS TO THEIR SECOND BEDROOM AND IT BECOMES THEIR "SANCTUARY" AFTER A FEW TAPS ON THE KEYBOARD AND CLICKS OF A MOUSE.

>> IT HAS A PLACE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WHO YOU ARE AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WATCHING WITH YOU AND ASKS IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OR A VISITOR, AND THEN IT JUST GETS YOU IN.

>> Reporter: THE HARRIS' ARE LONG-TIME MEMBERS AT HIGHLAND PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN DALLAS.

AND FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE IT EASIER FOR THE AGING COUPLE TO WORSHIP.

WITH LIVE STREAMING.

>> WE ARE NOT TECHNOLOGY ADEPT, BUT NO I DON'T THINK WE BOTHERED ABOUT THAT.

WE ALREADY HAD A COMPUTER AND KNEW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

♪ >> Reporter: THE HARRIS' WOULD MUCH RATHER BE SINGING IN THE CHOIR AND PRAYING FROM ONE OF THESE PEWS WHERE THEY WORSHIPED FOR A COMBINED 140 YEARS, BUT AT THIS STAGE OF THEIR LIVES STREAMING IS THE NEXT BEST THING.

>> YOU MISS THE FRIENDS THAT YOU HAD THERE.

>> BUT YOU STILL HAVE THE FEEL OF BEING AT CHURCH.

>> Reporter: THAT FEELING OF BEING AT CHURCH HAS NEVER BEEN SO REAL BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH SERVICES HAVE BEEN BEAMED INTO HOMES FOR DECADES THROUGH RADIO AND TELEVISION, MANY WERE TAPED AND EDITED.

LIVE STREAMING IS A WHOLE NEW GAME.

THE SERVICES ARE UNFILTERED, INCLUDING MISTAKES, AS ARE ALL THE OTHER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS AND BUSINESS.

WHAT'S MAKING IT SO POPULAR?

TECHNOLOGY.

WHAT WAS ONCE DIFFICULT AND ç COSTLY HAS BECOME EASY AND INEXPENSIVE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POPULARITY OF FACEBOOK LIVE, SNAPCHAT AND PERISCOPE, SO CHURCHES WANT TO BE THERE WHERE THEY CAN REACH PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: DJ CHUANG IS A CONSULTANT AND LEADING EXPERT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE INTERNET AND THE CHURCH.

WE INTERVIEWED HIM FROM HIS HOME IN CALIFORNIA VIA SKYPE.

>> BACK IN 2007 I IDENTIFIED FIVE CHURCHES THAT WERE DOING CHURCH SERVICES ONLINE, AND THAT GREW TO 105 IN THE SPAN OF FIVE YEARS.

>> Reporter: AND THE LIST KEEPS GROWING.

SOME CHURCHES PUT AN iPHONE ON A TRIPOD.

OTHERS LIKE THE CHURCH IN DALLAS HAVE MORE SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT.

CAMERAS, COMPUTERS AND CONSOLES.

AND THEY AREN'T JUST STREAMING TO SENIORS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY SHOWING UP IN PERSON.

THEIR AUDIENCE ALSO INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL, LIKE DELL AND CAMMY WYNNE-WILLIAMS.

THEY WERE VACATIONING WITH THEIR TWO DAUGHTERS IN ISRAEL ONE CHRISTMAS EVE AND WANTED TO GO TO CHURCH.

STREAMING GAVE THEM THE OPTION OF ATTENDING IN PERSON IN ISRAEL EVER BEEN OR WORSHIPING LIVE WITH THEIR CHURCH BACK HOME.

>> OUR YOUNGER DAUGHTER AND I DECIDED THAT WE WOULD GOT TO THE 11:30 SERVICE AT A SCOTTISH CHURCH DOWN THE HILL FROM THE KING DAVID HOTEL WHERE WE WERE STAYING.

>> WE WERE SOME OF THE ONLY CHRISTIANS ACTUALLY STAYING IN THE HOTEL AT THE TIME AND WE WANTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND SO WE CLOSED OURSELVES OFF IN THE BUSINESS OFFICE AND SNUCK TO WATCH OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE BACK HERE.

>> Reporter: AND IT SEEMS LIVE STREAMING IS ALSO BECOMING MORE MAINSTREAM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH BUSY LIVES LIKE PAUL AND JENNIFER DERAMO, TWO MEDICAL DOCTORS WHO WORK LONG HOURS AND MANY WEEKENDS.

THEY LOGGED ON DURING A RECENT MEDICAL MISSION TRIP TO PERU AND MORE FREQUENTLY WHILE WORKING THEIR SHIFTS AT SEPARATE HOSPITALS IN THE DALLAS AREA.

>> WE FEEL VERY BLESSED THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHURCH FAMILY AND BE A MEMBER OF A CHURCH BODY AND BE A FULLY PARTICIPATING MEMBER EVEN WITH THE SCHEDULE THAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY IS OPENING A LOT OF DOORS, BUT CHURCH LEADERS ARE GRAPPLING WITH SOME IMPORTANT ISSUES AS THEY TRY TO DUPLICATE THE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE ONLINE.

FOR EXAMPLE, HOW DO YOU HANDLE COMMUNION AND WHAT DO YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO JOIN THE CHURCH, BUT HAS NO INTENTION OF EVER SHOWING UP IN PERSON?

THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE HURDLES REVEREND PAUL RASMUSSEN, SENIOR MINISTER AT HIGHLAND PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HAS FACED FROM THE MORE TRADITIONAL-THINKING CHURCH LEADERS AND PARISHIONERS WHO HAVE BEEN SLOW TO FULLY EMBRACE THIS NEW WAY TO WORSHIP.

>> A COMMUNION WHERE WE ARE ç GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BODY AND BLOOD AND THE LITURGICAL ACT OF CONSECRATING ELEMENTS OF BREAD AND WINE OR JUICE AND THEN SHARING THOSE PHYSICALLY.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT WITH SOMEBODY THAT IS WATCHING WITH YOU ONLINE FROM SEATTLE OR AUSTIN OR CHINA?

WE REALLY HAVEN'T SOLVED THAT PROBLEM YET.

>> Reporter: HE HAS FLOATED THE IDEA OF "SELF-SERVICE" COMMUNION, BUT RAN INTO HEAVY CRITICISM FROM THOSE WHO FEAR IT WOULD VIOLATE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SACRAMENT.

THERE ARE ALSO SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

WHEN PEOPLE SEEK TO JOIN THEY PROMISE TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH WITH THEIR PRAYERS, GIFTS, SERVICE AND PRESENCE.

>> HOW DO YOU HONOR YOUR PRESENCE AND EVEN YOUR SERVICE REALLY IF YOU ARE FAR AWAY?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHEN WE CAME UP WITH THOSE STANDARDS WE WERE NOT EVER ANTICIPATING THE DAY WHERE PEOPLE WOULD BE PARTICIPATING WITH US WITH THEIR PRESENCE BEHIND A COMPUTER TERMINAL.

>> Reporter: BUT IT SEEMS THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE CHALLENGES.

AT A TIME WHEN STATISTICS SHOW CHURCH ATTENDANCE SHRINKING, MINISTERS SEE THIS TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY TO NOT ONLY BETTER SERVE THEIR MEMBERS, BUT ALSO REACH A NEW AND WIDER AUDIENCE.

PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER NOW ABLE TO ATTEND THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND BY LIVE STREAMING BECAUSE OF A ONE-YEAR PROJECT WITH TWITTER UK.

OFFICIALS SAY HUNDREDS SHOW UP EVERY WEEK.

ONE SUNDAY THERE WAS A HUGE SPIKE IN TRAFFIC WITH 3,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATING ACROSS THREE WORSHIP SERVICES.

AND THOSE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN THESE VIRTUAL SERVICES IN MEANINGFUL WAYS.

IT'S NOT JUST A PASSIVE EXPERIENCE.

BOTH IN THE U.S. AND ACROSS THE POND, CHURCH LEADERS ARE FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO GET ONLINE MEMBERS MORE CONNECTED.

>> CHURCHES THAT DO ONLINE SERVICES WILL HAVE A CHAT ROOM ON THE SIDE OR NOTE-TAKING FUNCTIONS.

THERE IS EVEN ONE CHURCH IN SOUTH CAROLINA THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO LIGHT A VIRTUAL CANDLE BY CLICKING ON A BUTTON TO MAKE THE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE MORE INTERACTIVE AND PARTICIPATORY.

>> Reporter: THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY MIGHT BREAK AWAY FROM TRADITION, BUT PASTOR RASMUSSEN SAYS THE EARLY DATA IS ENCOURAGING.

>> PEOPLE CAN ENGAGE IN DIALOG AND REALTIME DISCUSSION OF THE SERMON FAR EASIER ONLINE THAN THEY CAN EVEN IN HOUSE.

>> Reporter: PARISHIONERS CAN THEN IMMEDIATELY SHARE WHAT INSPIRES THEM WITH FRIENDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA CREATING A RIPPLE EFFECT FAR BEYOND THE ACTUAL SERVICE.

LIKE ANYTHING NEW THERE ARE ç GROWING PAINS.

AND LIVE STREAMING CHURCH ISN'T A REPLACEMENT FOR FOUR WALLS AND IN-PERSON FELLOWSHIP, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

IT IS HOWEVER FILLING A VOID, IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE, FOR PARISHIONERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND CHURCH IN PERSON.

>> I THINK LONG TERM, WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GO TO CHURCH AND BE ACTIVE IN AS MANY SMALL GROUPS AS POSSIBLE AND I THINK FOR RIGHT NOW AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, JUST BEING ABLE TO STREAM ONLINE AND BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE ONLINE HAS GIVEN US A PLACE IN THE CHURCH.

>> THAT WE CAN GROW FROM.

>> THAT WE CAN GROW FROM, YEAH.

>> Reporter: AND FOR SENIORS LIKE THE HARRIS', IT'S A LIFELINE TO THE SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT THEY HAVE TREASURED FOR DECADES.

>> STREAMING BY FAR BEATS NOTHING.

NOT GOING AT ALL, NOT HAVING ANYTHING.

I CAN SIT HERE AND STAY WITH MY CHURCH.

>> Reporter: FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M DAN LOTHIAN IN DALLAS.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

WATCH US ANYTIME ON THE PBS APP FOR iPHONES AND iPADS.

THERE IS ALSO MUCH MORE ON OUR WEBSITE, WHERE YOU CAN LISTEN TO OR WATCH EVERY PROGRAM.

JOIN US AT PBS.ORG/RELIGIONETHICS.

AS WE LEAVE YOU, MIKE HUCKABEE AND THE PRAISE BAND AT THE GOP-FAITH WORSHIP SERVICE.

♪ ♪ >>> NEXT TIME, THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN PHILADELPHIA.

MANAGING EDITOR KIM LAWTON WILL HAVE A SPECIAL REPORT ON PEOPLE OF FAITH, WHICH RELIGIOUS GROUPS ARE SUPPORTING HILLARY CLINTON, WHICH ONES ARE RAISING CONCERNS?

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

JOIN US FOR THE NEXT "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY."PRODUCTS.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY.