Welcome to the new SACEM online. One of the initiatives discussed by the SACEM board when they met in March 2007 was the need to reconfigure the SACEM web presence to facilitate communications and networking among our members. This renovation is underway and will be continuing throughout the summer.

Our goal is to create a connecting place for members of SACEM from around the world to raise questions and allow colleagues to share their experience; to identify books, web sites, and other resources that may be helpful to our colleagues; to collaborate in addressing some of the cutting edge issues that face those of us working in the field of lifelong learning for ministry.

    Toward this end we are converting The Continuing Educator into an eNewsletter that serves to keep subscribers informed about what is going on around SACEM and we will be adding the Journal of Lifelong Learning for Ministry as a professional journal featuring articles relevant to the field.

    As we seek to nurture stronger community connections and resource sharing among SACEM members, we are adding Book Chat section to allow members to share reviews of relevant books they are reading and a SACEM bookstore to enable ordering them directly through the website. We are adding a Discussion Forum to allow SACEM members to interact around questions and issues as well as various other features to help SACEM members keep up with each other.

    There are three primary levels for accessing information and participating in the SACEM Online community. Basic information about SACEM, the annual conference, and the latest SACEM news as well as the SACEM Bookstore is accessible to the general public. Additional information, including news and some resources, is available to Registered Users. Registered Users also receive the eNewsletter, The Continuing Educator. There is no charge for becoming a registered user but it does require the use of a current email address. SACEM members who are current on their annual membership dues have access to even more of the sites resources and opportunities. Members have the opportunity to add content that is shared with the community; including listing personal and professional updates, posting book recommendations and reviews, and adding web links.

    At the core of this renovation is the utilization of the Joomla! content management system, an exciting open source project providing a framework for community development and collaboration on the web. Leading in the implementation of the web site renovation is Chris Hammon of the Wayne E. Oates Institute. Chris serves as the Administrator of the Oates Institute's Online Learning Center and also serves as the web developer for SACEM.