Navigation, road networks, iconography, printing, and other technologies have helped the church advance. In fact, the church invented some of the tech used today. Technology enabled the spread of the good news in the early church. This is still true today. Being a tech-savvy church isn’t about being total geeks. It might help but it that isn’t what it’s all about. It is having some understanding of tech and wielding it in a way that enables reach and impact. In an earlier post, we looked at some excuses of tech-averse organizations. It would be worthwhile to look into how churches can overcome tech-aversion.
Being tech-averse isn’t only about hating or being afraid of tech. It is and can also be about avoiding tech for many reasons. A lot of which we don’t have time to go into. The assumption I make here is that using tech in church life follows on from some understanding of it. No one has a complete understanding of all tech available and all possibilities.
To be explicit: we’re talking about being tech-savvy in a purposeful way and not for the sake of it. Tech isn’t the end but a means.
Becoming a tech-savvy church starts with addressing our tech-aversion.
The Need
Part of making the most of tech in the church is understanding problems. With that, we can explore what tech is available and how it can meet the need. It can work the other way round. That is, we can identify tech and explore how we can use it in church life. This can be in ministry activity within and beyond your church’s walls.
Being a tech-savvy church starts with an appreciation of a challenge to be overcome. It then expands to exploring what’s available.
Explore / Learn
This is the part many churches get stuck. With so many options, which do you go with? In some instances, the sheer number of solutions can be intimidating. Throw some unfamiliar terms into the mix and things get even messier.
Unfortunately, the only way to learn or get around this is to learn. Don’t try to figure out or understand everything in one go. The question is, “Are you willing to learn?”. This applies to many areas of church life. Use the search bar here on ChurchMag. Do a wider Internet search, use YouTube.
With the Internet, we should have less tolerance for ignorance, especially our own.
Experiment
Where possible, as is the case with software, apps, and platforms, make use of trial versions. Try things out on low-risk test / use cases. Don’t try to run before you can walk. This phase sometimes requires patience.
Consult / Reach Out
It is easy to feel isolated when you’re the only one or part of a small team in your church or organization. Dare to build bridges to reach out to others in churches in your city. Are they faced with similar challenges and how are they solving them?
There’s also a growing community of people online where you can ask questions. It seems there’s a Reddit thread or Facebook group for whatever you think is unique to you.
The Thing Is
We’re surrounded by tech. It’s in every part of our everyday lives. Look at the different things you use everyday. Consider how you could use them in your organization’s life. It may take work figuring things out, but, it’s worth it.
May our appreciation for the mission be stronger than our laziness and comfort to learn and try new things. May love for our communities cause us to commit to figuring things out. May we be better stewards of what’s at our disposal for the good of those we’re called to reach.
Any suggestions on how churches and organizations can deal with their apprehensions to tech?
Blessing Mpofu
just a guy changing the world. husband to Ingrid. growing leader and communicator.
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