Churches often lag significantly behind other organizations in their use of technology. The time may have come for some to “catch up.” It could be one of the best investments made this year.
For the purposes of this discussion, “technology” refers to enterprise-level operational solutions and Internet-based outreach and communication technologies.
A lot of folks are talking these days about the role of technology in the church…
In Matt Harrell’s MemberHub post, “Would It Be Dangerous If the Church ‘Caught Up’ Technologically,” commenters offered their reasons as to why the church wasn’t keeping up with the marketplace.
Some suggested that going slow was a good strategy. Others said waiting was caused by a lack of vision. From these comments and other observations, I’ve listed what seem to be the seven most common reasons churches lag behind.
Seven reasons churches “lag behind” technologically
1. Lack of resources and staffing limitations.
2. Aging demographics of congregation and/or leadership.
3. Fear of change or assuming too much risk.
4. Complexity of the tools.
5. To avoid costly mistakes, i.e. adopting systems or tools that may radically change or fail.
6. A desire to resist the temptation of keeping up just to have the latest tools.
7. The priority of other ministry initiatives.
There are many factors that influence the decision-making process on whether any organization will adopt an innovation. Everett Rogers, in his textbook Diffusion of Innovations defined a number of these. Example…an innovation that has more visibility in the marketplace will drive communication among peer groups. Use drives talk. Talk drives use.
These influencing agents are also at work in churches looking at technologies, with some twists unique to a ministry context.
For example, an innovation that supports and creates outreach opportunities will be of greater interest to churches. Complexity becomes less of an issue for a church if a particular technology fits their culture and God-given unique DNA. As leaders consider bringing an advanced technology into the church, looking at how other ministries have integrated it into their core vision will be helpful.
So it seems to me that is perfectly normal for there to be varying rates of adoption among churches. Not unlike the marketplace. Some churches have already worked through a number of these factors. I’d like to turn my attention to them.
These churches have sensed God’s leading to go forward with a new technology. Everyone’s on board. The last remaining issue is “the timing.” I believe a good case can be made for accelerating the process.
Ten reasons churches should “catch up” technologically
1. To bring the gospel “to the ends of the earth.” This is the first generation to have that capability.
2. To make it possible for volunteers to present the gospel and disciple others from the convenience of their home or office.
3. To reach seekers, skeptics and people in crisis or needing support. 2 million people look for God each day – not in church but in an Internet search.
4. To reach more people with the gospel than ever thought possible. By 2013, the total number of devices accessing the Internet will increase to more than 2.7 billion.
5. To improve ROI for outreach, mission work and follow-up. It took just 7¢ a person for LifeChurch.tv to reach 1,008,567 people in July ’09. Global Media Outreach shares the gospel at a rate of 10 cents per contact in most parts of the world.
6. To open the door for participating in local outreach to people from all walks of life and various professions. People who otherwise might have never considered getting involved in outreach and missions.
7. To create ministry jobs for those God is calling to serve: innovators, content developers, IT professionals, audio/video producers, engineers, graphic designers, data managers and analysts.
8. To reach new generations. “The teenagers of today, even the twentysomethings, haven’t known a life without technology.”
9. To help develop opportunities for collaboration with other churches and organizations. Sharing technology knowledge and resources will enable churches to do more outreach, faster, and at less cost.
10. To be ready 24/7/365 for the Holy Spirit to lead people to the church’s front door.
When it comes to technology in the church, there will always be innovators. The first to adopt. Those most willing to take risks. There will always be laggards. Those committed to maintaining traditional approaches. The less inclined to change.
Through prayer, wisdom and unity among the leaders, God will reveal the “if and when” of technology adoption.
The churches that God leads to implement fully developed technology platforms may eventually number 200 or 2000. I don’t know if there’s a right number, though I favor the latter. It’s estimated that 50-100 churches are headed in that direction. A few are there now.
The goal of global leaders is to connect everyone in the world to the Internet. Some say by 2015!
This movement is creating a rapid pace of change. Faster flow of information and communication. Far reaching technological advances. And a sense of “missions urgency,” among some churches.
For them, the time to become aggressive participants in the change…to start the “catch up” process technologically…has probably arrived.
Question: Where do you stand on the use of technology by the Church?