Technology has been adapted into many organizations to help with communication, branding and to make life easier.
I was recently invited by a neighbour to attend his sermon at a local church. We packed up the family and made our way to the church expecting a traditional sermon. When we arrived and found our seats I did a quick look around. To my surprise I found a lot of technology being used at the church.
Some of the technology used was a reader board to display their web site and various up coming events. An overhead projector was displaying the agenda for the day. After the sermon I went home and decided to visit their site. Again I found more technology being used in RSS feeds, online donations, forums and more. I searched a few other church sites to see how they compared and found they have very similar technology usage.
With all of this technology being used by the Church does it detract or add to the experience?
PS – Let’s not turn this discussion into a religious debate.
Thinkreferrals
September 29, 2007 1:05 pm
I’m not sure Technology and Church go together. I guess I never thought of the Church as a Tech hangout. On the other hand, they have internet Cafe’s, maybe they could have wireless in Church so you can stay in touch with the world while you are listening to the sermon.
Collin
September 30, 2007 5:54 am
My guess is its the only way a church or churchs can keep up with the times. If they don’t poeple WILL just go online to get what they need. It happens more and more everyday.
jentekk
September 30, 2007 10:32 pm
I guess it depends on what type of Church experience you are looking for.
If you’re looking for a church that doesn’t utilize technology, most likely, many of the hip and relevant churches of today may not be your thing.
IMO, technology is just like any other tool a church (or any organization for that matter) may decide to use. It can add to the experience if it’s incorporated properly, and detract horribly if it’s not.
It sounds like it was an eye-opening experience for you. I hope it was also a good one. :)
Christian
October 1, 2007 4:36 am
“I guess it depends on what type of Church experience you are looking for.”
JenTekk couldn’t of said it better.
I’m sitting on the fence on this one.
I guess as long it isn’t intrusive, it is o.k.
But hey a church is already full of technology.
Locks, electrical wiring, lights, hair conditioning, heaters, telephone lines, the list goes on.
I can see it now.
Google ads scanning every word the speaker says and flashing ads on the overhead projector behind him. ;P
jentekk
October 1, 2007 4:02 pm
lol @ “Google ads scanning every word…” :D
Perhaps in 2100!
Often the lines get blurred when considering what is appropriate for “Church” while not questioned for “Business”.
In some ways, a Church (or the tools it uses) is quite similar to a Business… lighting, heating, air conditioning, telephones, answering machines, faxes, printers, computers, offices, art and decoration, receptionist area etc.
In addition, many also have video cameras, remote video feeds, soundboards, massive speakers, wireless microphone headsets, big screen TVs, and huge screens, all in the main auditorium… the list goes on. One may question if some churches go overboard in this area… but that’s another topic.
I believe that a tool that is neutral – ie: Internet and Technology would be a reasonable consideration for a church who’s objectives require the use of these.
The fact that the Internet or Technology is used for many great causes (Cancer Awareness) or horrible victimization (child porn) does not make the tool inheritantly good or evil. Good or evil is only a reflection of the way it is being used.