Why every church in Northern Ohio should embrace technology…

billisaacs on June 30, 2009 | Filed Under church stuff, culture, leadership, ministry philosophy

These are exciting days for ministry. When I consider the possibilities God has provided for me to serve Him on relation to the Great Commission, I consider these unique to my generation(s):

Websites

Every church needs a website. They can be done as cheaply or expensively as one can afford. A website indicates several critical interest points.

Our church is relevant to your life.
Our church is service-minded to your family.
Our church is available for informational needs.
Our church is interested in resourcing your faith-building needs.

These are just a few ideas and there are plenty more. Directions, service times, biographical information on pastors, leaders, promotions, upcoming special sermon series, services, etc. For an example click here.

Your website in this culture is one of the primary outreaches to people ages 18-30. If you don’t have a website for your ministry, let me help. Send me an email and I’ll have someone get in touch with you to see if you can do this.

Podcasting

Pastor Mark Batterson writes in one of his recent blogs this definitive statement…

If it’s worth preaching it’s worth podcasting. We need to redeem technology and use it for God’s purposes.

Most churches record their services and if so, podcasting is simple. With an internet connection, you upload the message to your chosen service (i.e. Itunes, etc.) and then point people to subscribe to your services. I have several favorite churches in the USA and outside our country that I regularly worship with through an audio podcast. There is no cost to podcasting and your ministry goes around the world to those interested. I absolutely amazed at how God uses technology to spread the Good News of salvation. Most of you are good preachers and your ministry should be reaching further than it is now. If you video your services, provide video podcasting, much the same way. Finally, consider this…God has spoken to you to preach a message of hope but to whom? Is it merely for those in your community or could God use the message you are preaching next week to reach Australia or India. Believe me, they are listening.

Blogging

Of course, you are reading a blog now. The power of blogging in this country is almost unfathomable and it is not just young people either. There are many inexpensive ways to communicate through blogging. Your message should be simple and consistent. Most serious bloggers read daily blogs involving everything from business, religion, politics, hobbies, etc. You can offer daily encouragement to people in your church, colleagues in your profession, persons you are trying to reach for Christ through personal interests, etc. I use a program called WordPress and the setup was simple and seamless. I strongly encourage every pastor to start blogging. If you need help getting started…email me.

It seems reasonable that technology can help you and I fulfill God’s assignment for the Kingdom. Don’t be afraid to try, to invest and to experience ministry beyond the walls of the church.

How is your church/ministry using technology?

Let me hear some of your thoughts.

5 Comments

Rodney Mullins on June 30th, 2009

As a pastor that serves in several different areas and also has a part time secular job I know the importance of the technoology your talking about. We minister to thousands without leaving the office through the power of the web. We are able to stay in touch with key leaders and send out ministry updates with the click of a finger. Our worship is saturated with power points, easy worship, video clips, video testimonies, dvd and countdowns.

I also see a vital connection to visitors and newmembers. We are getting ready to kick off our media page that will provide sermons on video, audio, downloadable and video anouncements.

Finally, I see a vital connection between the state leadership and the local pastor. I know I am always just an email away from connecting with my leaders that serve above me. This connection has been imperative to our growth and ongoing success. The video messages and teachings that from our Bishop has been such a personal touch and very uplifting.

Thanks Bishop for taking the lead on this in our State.

I can help anyone get a basic site set up for a few dollars a month. Just have them give me a call.

Rodney

jasonisaacs on July 1st, 2009

I think you can take this a little further. Just having a website doesn’t automatically mean you convey the 4 points you listed above. Depending on the community you live in not just any website conveys that our “church is relevant to your life” If you live in metro Atlanta you have higher expectations than if you are in a small town in Nebraska. I’ve found that alot of churches have a website that someone did for them very cheap a long time ago and it actually hurts them more than not having a site. An outdated ugly website says a couple of things:

- We haven’t had anything going on since last June when we updated this site

- We want to you to come to our church without putting any work into it

- Our church doesn’t really know much about technology

I think it’s very important for a church website to be a clean nice looking site that it updated. Relevant doesn’t have to mean flashy and cool, but it does mean “current”

One of things we did on our church website was took off all “Upcoming Events” we found that most people who visited the website were visitors to the site not members. We would rather not worry about updating the events and running the risk of being outdated. We just want to give overall info about the church.

RayWaldo on August 12th, 2009

Technology extends into a lot of things. I just did a review of the Ooma (VOIP) phone system. It costs about $200 upfront but provides FREE unlimited local/long distance phone service for the life of the device! Check out the review here:
http://raywaldo.com/2009/08/free-telephone-service/

Every church should embrace technology | The Chief Shepherd on August 20th, 2009

[...] Every church should embrace technology [...]

David Pratt on September 20th, 2009

I have to agree with Jason…I currently do not have a website for our church because I hve not found something I feel relevant in expressing who our church is to our community as well as visitors to the website… In addition it is alarming to see the number of church websites that do not keep there site current, and Jason is right in that it speaks to those checking your church out…I am still looking for good and insightfulness as to a good website…