Technology in the Church

The Impact of Technology on Church Ministries

Today’s growing churches find themselves facing a relatively new challenge, impacting almost every aspect of their ministries, technology. Most modern churches, no matter the size, must accept the impact of technology on their budget, ministries, and overall success. Let’s face it, technology is a fact of life, and the church is no exception. Unpacking all the complexity and costs of technology is no easy feat. It’s no surprise that many church leaders avoid the subject completely and rely on the willingness of church members to tackle the technological challenges each church faces. This may seem like a solution, but in fact, it creates vulnerability to all kinds of influences that may be contrary to the vision of pastoral leadership. A better approach would be to provide guidelines for budget, fiscal operations, social policy and procedures, ministry application, and a plan for your church’s acceptable use of technology.

Defining Technology in a Church Context

First, let’s talk about what I mean by technology. Oxford defines “technology” as “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.” In the church, that means email, websites, online giving, streaming, scheduling, phones (office and mobile), security, social media, bookkeeping, presentation content, worship, video, sound, and lights. Let’s not forget digital bibles, digital publishing, and digital music. My guess is that your church is using most of these. Each one of those areas listed has a cost association and requires a person or persons to manage them. Think about that for a minute. Are you certain that those people understand the power and influence they have over the church’s message and overall success?

Leadership and Vision in Technology Management

Successfully managing how your church interacts with technology requires leadership, vision, guidance, and pastoring. The church’s vision, and perhaps your vision, is directly impacted by the outcomes of these interactions and the corresponding relationships. Has your church included technology in its vision? Does your church have clearly defined roles and responsibilities for those who oversee and manage technology? Does the church leadership understand how to manage the technology it has implemented, ensuring every dollar spent is used to its fullest? It’s understandable if you have delegated these responsibilities to others who are more qualified to understand the application, but they may not understand the implications of your church’s vision or how technology will impact the interpretation of God’s word by the flock. It’s essential in managing your technology to manage and pastor the people who run it.

Tips to Keep God at the Center of Technological Growth

Here are some tips: develop a leadership strategy that incorporates discipleship, sow into the inexperienced, address the spiritual needs of your teams, and work to create a technology, spirit-filled culture based on prayer, the bible, and forgiveness. Those are some of the best practices I have seen work with many churches over the years. What should the main goal be for the church regarding technology? Easy answer? Glorifying God and growing the body of Christ! That doesn’t mean bigger screens, more lights, and better sound systems. There is a fallacy that bigger is better. God grows churches according to his will, not our desire. Be careful not to create false idols when thinking about technology (Zechariah 10:2). Be a good steward of God’s resources, and always ensure God is at the center, not technology.

Strategies for Tackling Technological Challenges

No matter what we do to serve him, it must be at our best, not cost the most (Matthew 25:21). Extracting the best from what we have usually come from developing our people, not from buying something and expecting it to work. A Godly church is about its people and relationships; it’s about the hand and not the tool. Let’s look at some strategies to solve a few of these challenges we have discussed. I’m guessing that when God called you to serve as a Pastor, you weren’t prepared for some of the obstacles you and your church have faced. You may not understand technology, but you should understand people. Work with them, develop them, invest in them, pastor them. Foster their faith in God and reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide them when challenged by technology. Here’s an example: Instead of buying new equipment to solve problems, pay for the training of your tech team. Then, in collaboration with your team, which you have sowed into, discuss upgrading. Or, have a professional come and talk with you about your vision and options. Just remember, not all technologists have the church’s best interests at heart; that is the church leadership’s job. Be wary of salesmen who are only interested in selling you the latest, what the church down the road has. Each church is unique and requires relationships rather than equipment to grow and prosper, especially where technology is concerned. Do your research, ask for references, and try to include whoever will be operating the technology in the discussion.

Asking Essential Questions for Technology in the Church

Here are some examples of questions I ask pastors when they want to start upgrading their technology:

1. Why? What need are you trying to meet?

2. Does your congregation bring their bibles to church?

3. Do you have people available and qualified to run and manage the technology?

4. Have you determined what the long-term and short-term cost/goals will be?

5. What is your vision for the church?

6. How does technology fit into that vision?