Last week, I asked the ChurchMag Church Technologists the question:
Many of you weighed-in and it was very insightful and fully awesome to hear about what’s going on in the Church IT community. With this fresh on my mind, I found Tyndale’s recent survey on Church and Technology very interesting.
Although there are plenty of obstacles of varying degrees in Church IT Land, there does seem to be two outstanding obstacles. I had a sneaky suspicion as to what those were going to be, so this may not be a surprise to you.
The two leading obstacles for Church IT is:
Funding & Volunteers
Here are some of the comments made last week on ChurchMag, when I asked what the biggest obstacle of Church IT was:
- I have to say funding… they want everything but don’t want to pay for
IT just does happen for pennies…
— George - I guess the biggest thing for me is that I’m the only person in the church who get’s the call … Having another church geek would be a real help.
— James Cooper - Even with the size of a congregation that has thousands of people, you would think that there wouldn’t be a lack of volunteers. However, there is a huge need for people to serve the Kingdom of God and to be obedient to the Lord’s calling in their life.
— Peter - I’m the unpaid volunteer who does all the IT.
— Mark
Now, let’s compare that to Tyndale’s recent survey on Church and Technology:
- 30.6% – Inadequate budget
- 32.5% – Lack of volunteers
The lack of funding and volunteers consists of over 60% of the problem. The survey also says that 22.9% lack the technological know-how, so that is worth mentioning. However, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a decent amount of knowledge available, it just hasn’t volunteered itself, yet.
Before all of us Geeks get really mad and start pointing fingers let’s pause and reflect a quick moment.
What are the biggest obstacles most ministries in the Church face?
Funding and volunteers.
This isn’t just a Church IT problem, this a Church wide problem.
Are you part of the solution?
[Image via Mike Scullen]
Ben Terry says
I love that these post are incorporating the information from the infographic. It’s a great way to breakdown whats really going on in the church and how we can move forward in helping support the church through technology.
Eric Dye says
Thanks, Ben!
Fully awesome.
Dewaine says
Oh, wow, yes this is so true. More people are definitely needed. Could it be that its not about people not being able to do the job, but are afraid to do the job?
Eric Dye says
Perhaps. I do think there is generally a lack of volunteerism in the Church in general. As Church Technologists, we should take the opportunity to train up others? Digital discipleship, eh! (I think I should write a post about that!)
Jonathan Gardner says
I wonder how many people would, or have volunteered, but because of resistance to chance and internal politics, have stopped volunteering. I’m in this situation myself, as I used to volunteer at my church (and they came to me for help), but because I wasn’t allowed to do anything more than be a drone, I stopped volunteering. Many of the ways which churches do things are the antithesis of a good environment for people to volunteer.
Eric Dye says
Good points.
Peter says
This was a truly an excellent article and it really hit the nail on the head, Eric 🙂 These are the two biggest challenges that we face too; funding and volunteers.
The solution to both problems I think starts with prayer and then staying in tune to what God leads us to do. Every problem that needs to be solved should start with prayer 🙂
Eric Dye says
#FACT
First things first. Prayer.
😉
Peter says
By the way, I wanted to thank you so much Eric for publishing a portion of my comment on this post. I’m honored, humbled, and privileged to be a part of this fantastic online community. You are such a blessing to so many of us!
Eric Dye says
Thanks for being a part of it!!!
Chris says
This is exactly who we’re trying to help with the tech training conference we’re offering in Cambridge, Ontario in April. http://www.thereconnect.ca
Hoping to see tech volunteers encouraged, resourced and connected to one another.
Eric Dye says
WOOT! I hope so, too!