Response to Daniel Unit 9 -Technology
In what other ways can technology be used in a religious not-for-profit church setting that could help reach people for Jesus?
John Smart (2015), made mention several technologies that we can deploy in our lifetime and also the fact that technology is growing rapidly and into smaller devices.
The church finds itself at a cross-road with the need to use technology in an effective way. I borrow the words of the Apostle Paul who in 1 Cor 9:19-23, said, “I become all things to all men that I might same some…” The question therefore is if Paul was here what he be doing with the technology – Instagram, twitter, periscope etc.
I share a personal experience and then suggest a few things from my personal background. I am a trained IT professional and pastor. The first time I was assigned to a church congregation I took my laptop to church and preached. It was later found out that someone invited a friend to hear me and because I used my laptop, she never returned. However, the church and churches after have embraced the usage of Technology. As this was one of my focal point.
I, therefore, suggest the following as options:
- The use of projectors for song and sermon presentation – Easy worship, Realm, Logos 7, Media shout etc…
- Software for data records – keeping data for membership and staffing
- Software for recording children present in your service
- Apps for giving
- Websites
- Social media app to connect the church to the message being shared or community engagement
- Digital evangelism – using WhatsApp and other tools to spread the gospel
- A photography club
And the list could go one. In order for this to work the leadership must be open to its use and application. But, also to help its congregants to be comfortable by providing opportunities for them to engage in the use of it. They are the ones who will drive it forward (Hughes, “ et al.”, 2014) Another suggestion would be to create teams within the life of the church and provide them with various task and opportunities to use the technology within services or just generally.
If you need further help I can be reached via moodle as there is a wealth of information and free/paid apps available
Reference
Hughes, R. L., Beatty, K. C., & Dinwoodie, D. L. (2014). Becoming a strategic leader your role in your organizations enduring success. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Smart, J. M. (2015, April 08). John Smart – Leadership of Tech Change – WFS 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhdWqLNUJns