The Church's Use of Technology

There are some that are concerned about the use of technology in the church. Of course, the church has been using modern technology since the advent of technology. We use the printing press to print Bibles and hymnals, computers and copiers to print bulletins, sophisticated sound systems to amplify voices and instruments. Even the organ—which some consider the most traditional instrument in the church is electronic. It is essentially an electronic keyboard (called a console) connected to speakers. (Side note: The organ was an instrument of great controversy during the Reformation and was not generally accepted by the Protestants until about 100 years after the Reformation).

In addressing these concerns about technology, we must remember that technology is amoral. Yet, it can be used either to promote good or evil. Technology is a beautiful, yet dangerous thing. We see this at every turn. Nuclear energy can be used to make millions of lives better. It also can be used to wipe out millions of lives in an instant. Computers can be used for remarkable learning and discovery. They also can be used for gossip, slander, and pornography.

We have seen this before. The printing press changed the world in the 15th century, and even fueled the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Without the printing press, it is doubtful that Luther and Calvin would have been any more successful than the Reformers who came before them. Before the printing press, common people did not have Bibles in their homes nor did congregants use hymnals in worship. The advancement of technology—the printing press—made a significant change in the worship life of the church. At the same time, the printing press has brought much evil with it. Just as truth, learning, science, and the gospel have been able to advance with the help of the printing press, so have lies, distortions, heresies, and immorality. Yet, just because there are some inherent dangers in the use of the printed word, that does not mean the church should turn its back on it. The same is true for more modern technologies.

The Web, email, video projection, Facebook, Twitter, and the variety of other technologies available to us, give us tremendous opportunities to enhance communication and foster community when they are used properly. By communicating via email with the congregation, we are able to save money on printing, postage, and the labor of stuffing envelopes. Through use of the web, we are able to provide sermons to people without the expense of purchasing CDs. Through Facebook and Twitter, we are able to make sure that people know about upcoming events. These tools help us stay connected. They are not a substitute for real community (which only can happen face-to-face) but are enhancements to it.

In a recent article in Tabletalk Magazine, Tim Challies writes, “The world is changing, and it is senseless for us to wish that the old world could return. It will not; it is gone forever. What remains for us is to carefully examine new technologies, seeking to understand both the risks and opportunities they bring. What remains for us is to be diligent, to be discerning, to be wise, to examine how we will use the new technologies we encounter, and how they may just use us” (http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/who-using-whom/).