The Church and Technology: Strategy and Mission

We can’t avoid technology today. If I want to communicate with my grandchildren, I must know how to text. When I need that refrigerator part that Sears no longer provides, I can go to Amazon and find it. Most of the companies I do business with—including my health care providers--want to interact online. Many of us learned quickly how to move our worship services online during COVID and now we must decide what to do with that “second campus.”

As we attempt to integrate technology into our faith communities, we are challenged to balance modern necessity and efficiency with humanity and sacred tradition. In this series of posts, I encourage us to think about technology and the church in several ways.

First, the "Why" behind the "What": How do we ensure that our use of technology serves our core mission of spiritual growth rather than just becoming a performance or a distraction?

I hope we are beyond the “the church down the road has a praise band, so we need one, too” approach. Do we need a praise band? It depends on who we are trying to reach. What is the vision that drives our church? Who are we best equipped to reach and disciple?

Many church planters begin with this question: “What is the profile of the person we are trying to reach?” By developing this persona, we can think and pray about what we provide that will make a difference in people’s lives. If you are an established congregation, look around at your congregation. What are the needs of your parishioners? What are their strengths and gifts? What is their “growing edge”? Who do they interact with?

Second, digital discipleship: In what ways can we use technology to foster genuine discipleship and community throughout the week, rather than just using it as a megaphone for Sunday announcements? This aspect requires not only assessment but imagination.

Most churches do digital newsletters now, but what else can you provide online? Some Bible study classes use Facebook groups to promote fellowship, regular contact, and sharing of prayer requests. Pastors sometimes use digital media to share blogs or follow-up ideas from the previous Sunday’s service. A quick preview of the coming week’s message may be helpful, too. Online communication can also expedite planning and execution of community mission activities.

Third, defining "presence": As we offer online services, how do we define "biblical community"? Can a purely digital connection satisfy the scriptural call to gather? This is probably the stickiest issue. Online services benefit the homebound members, but how do we add the human touch? Church members who travel or live out of state and join worship virtually are interested, but how do we involve them?

Vision, mission, values provide us with the context to answer these questions. How do we align our digital presence with who we are and aspire to be?

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