By Nathan J. Hill
Originally printed in the Wesley Journal in the Fall of 2006
Technology remains one of the most under-utilized aspects of church life.
I cringe every time I see someone doing a flyer in Microsoft Word (not that I am saying the Wesley Journal is some kind of layout masterpiece). I cringe when I see the “hand me down†computers gathering dust in church offices or youth Sunday School rooms. I get a little upset when I see churches invest thousands of dollars in new equipment that they simply don’t need, in an excuse to… well, spend money.
Back in my home church of First Christian Church in Anadarko, OK, the church board had the great idea to upgrade their secretary’s equipment with a brand new Dell PC, complete with flat panel display and color printer. After getting the computer, the secretary tried her best, but to this day (at least two years later), the church newsletter is still typed on the old electric typewriter and photocopied by hand. Yes, the new computer is nice, but did you ask your staff what they would find useful? For some small churches, user friendly is more important than state of the art.
Of course, there are churches out there that can’t get enough technology. Most of them appear to be mega-churches, combining new technologies and communications with evangelism. I think Rev. Michael Slaughter’s church in Tipp City, OH is one such example - they were doing digital media and video before it became popular in church settings.
But it’s tough - many churches have structures stuck in the 1950s. Many leaders of the church aren’t exactly up to date. I don’t blame them - technology changes so rapidly that it can be quite impossible to stay on top of the new inventions and sudden progress brought on by the internet. However, the downside of this is that younger generations, especially those who have grown up always using the internet, email, and digital communication, are finding that the church doesn’t speak their language. The internet has introduced a whole new culture, a culture where many of us can go online and become someone else if we choose.
I am doing my best to provide some opportunity for young adults and youth. I launched DisciplesConnect.com last year as a way for young adult leaders in the Disciples of Christ denomination to connect with one another. The site allows users to set up a profile of themselves, telling visitors who they are, where they are, and what they like. In addition, they can make blogs and write about the issues in their church and community. Next month, I will be launching a video podcast on the site, in a hope to bring justice issues into the conversation. It’s a new type of community and hopefully will keep the conversation of faith going for young adults who feel disconnected from church.
I also hope to explore the possibilities of open source software to congregations tight on money. Open source software is free, and most of the time, it’s just as good as software you buy in a local electronic store. You can get full-fledged word processors, operating systems, and desktop publishing applications that run great on older computers. It might be a way for some congregations to upgrade without spending money, being better stewards of their church’s resources in the process.
Of course, all this technology raises tough questions too. Issues of privacy and access will have to be worked out. How far do we go with this technology in the purpose of spreading the love of God? At what point can you lose the message? By embracing technology, who will be left behind?
I don’t know the answers to those questions, but I pray that communities of faith won’t be afraid to tackle them head on.
