If you would like to purchase the full devotional for yourself or your church, you can purchase Rebuilding: A 19-Week Devotional For Those Serving In Church Technology now at ChurchMagPress in print-ready format.
“The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.”
Dallas Willard
We will be reading through Nehemiah 8:1-18
The wall is built and it is time to dedicate the land back to the Lord. And we are surprised by another huge Old Testament figure, Ezra. The Spirit of the Lord truly was in that place.
Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’
Nehemiah 8:10
It was the Law that the Israelites lived. It was why they took this mission to restore Jerusalem. And it is the focus of the celebration. The Super Bowl, World Cup, and the Olympics were all preceded by this. And what a day it was to celebrate. How did they start it? By standing for hours as they listened to the Holy Word being read. The God-given sacred text was received by these people after the completion of a God-given mission. They immersed themselves in God’s Word.
I’ve been asking this question a lot recently: How important is a deep theological understanding of Christianity and Scripture for volunteers and staff within church technology? What I’ve experienced and therefore, been indirectly taught is “Keep learning about the latest and greatest gadgets, apps, and web stuff. Leave the preaching to the pastor and elders or deacons.” I don’t believe anyone would have ever explicitly stated such a thing; we are, after all, ambassadors for the Lord.
But do we sometimes make Scripture, prayer, worship, the sacraments, and other parts of our faith secondary to all things tech? I know I have about 50 technology blogs in my RSS feed, I continuously listen in to the latest tech conferences for what’s coming, and see how we can improve what is at our church. When I compare that to how much I take in that is expressly about God’s word, it’s a bit one-sided.
Use these reflection questions for the comments section.
- Which comes first, church or technology? (I’m not here to preach at you—discuss with your team. But be honest)
- Do we secularize church technology ministries? What about your church’s ministry?
- Where do we sanctify the process that you have now and make it holy and presentable to God?
Speak your mind...