I was 13 or 14 when I noticed the trucks and vans with the futuristic satellite equipment outside the General Assembly tabernacle. I was on one of my many trips up the stairs to the concession stand for a drink or a snack, or for no reason at all, when I spotted them. The following day, as we arrived at the tabernacle for service, I asked my dad what those vehicles were for. His answer was simple. The church used them and the accompanying technology to share the good news. I was hooked.
Even then, technology connected people around the world, both within and outside the church, to our General Assemblies so that the gospel of Jesus Christ could be shared. The world could tune in to hear the gospel! I remember marveling at camera operators with big headsets on and imagined being one of those when I grew up. My love for technology really began with observing those camera operators. They were gifted, talented men and women who had a critical role in sharing the gospel across the world. Technology looks different in 2025, but its goal and function for believers is the same: We leverage technology as a tool to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
World events of 2020 taught pastors and churches all over the world how to do church differently and with a broader mindset. Churches that were not already live streaming or recording their services quickly developed plans to minister to entire groups of homebound people. Churches large and small mobilized cell phones as connectors. This huge step forward for local ministry served as a catalyst bringing about a radical global technology shift that was no longer limited to large churches with big budgets. I personally watched multiple services of small and large churches in multiple languages and from nations that I could never have accessed prior. The year 2020 taught us the valuable lessons about community connection and optimizing opportunity. Streaming was no longer an option; it had become a necessity.
Technology is an incredibly valuable tool when used properly. It connects people to God and to each other whether separated by thousands of miles or a few yards. It will never truly replace hugs, knuckle bumps, nor speaking to someone face to face, but it is a valuable mechanism when utilized to garner, grow, and maintain connections.
What does technology in ministry look like? I am glad you asked. There are many avenues to use technology at the local church level and in other areas of ministry as well. I will list just a few with examples:
- Social media (designer, content creator, photographer)
- Websites (designer, support, administrator)
- Audiovisual (sound board, projection operator, crew)
- Live streaming and/or recording (camera operator, live stream manager, content creator)
- Administration (database management, facility management, information sharing)
- Support and alternative usage (Zoom Bible studies, small groups, etc.)
- Outreach (sharing information, planning)
Let me focus for a moment on the connection component. With a little creativity and a small investment of time and sometimes resources, technology can connect us, serve us, and enable us to spread the gospel to a lost and dying world more efficiently than we ever have before. Technology aids us in our mission to “reconcile the world to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
As we maintain our focus on the mission, it is critical that local churches ask a few main questions:
- How are we using technology to further the good news?
- Do we have an online presence, and are we using it as a form of outreach?
- Is what we share uplifting, engaging, and encouraging, and does it ultimately point to Jesus?
Follow-up questions include the following:
- Does our church or ministry have a website?
- Does our church or ministry have an effective social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.)?
- What does our ministry do to let our community know we exist?
Let’s be real. People who drive past your church or ministry are rarely going to stop or return to visit. We know that the power of the presence of the Lord brings people to churches, but we have a responsibility to let our lights shine. God is glorified when we share his love and light well.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
How does the community know that God is moving in their own backyard, that there is a community that welcomes them, and that there are resources available to them?
Have you ever placed an order online? Generally, when looking for a piece of clothing or a toy, we grab our phones and scroll sites with tons of ads until we find the item. We purchase it online or run by the store to get it. I prefer to shop where I know the item is in stock and where customer service is good. It is frustrating to go to a store and not find what I need or have a poor experience. The same applies to churches and ministries. We must share the good news and let people know that the church is a place to belong, a place to serve, and a place where they will be loved, appreciated, and embraced.
We are checking out new churches right now and I admit if they don’t have a website and a Facebook that I can go to with updated content especially children and youth and small group info I keep looking. (Erin K.)
There is no shortage of people looking for churches and ministries to be a part of. There is, however, a shortage of good church and ministry information available through websites and social media. Rather than wondering what we can do to get people in the doors of our churches, let’s consider looking at ways to take the gospel of Jesus Christ out into our communities and into the world through sharing about our churches via easily accessible and effective technology.
