7 Helps for Pastors Who Hate Technology

The internet continues to redefine global society on both micro and macro levels. In wired nations, like ours, web-based media influences are becoming more apparent in the political landscape, in changing business paradigms, in the ways we access information, shop, form relationships, etc. As social institutions evolve in dynamic response to the many dimensions of everyday life that are now impacted by our digital world, the Church has an unparalleled communication opportunity. Thus, the point of this blog.

As a Christian leader, I wonder what your perspective is on web-based communications? Are you apathetic, jaded, underwhelmed?

For Christians to fully steward the days ahead, we, as church leadership, will be challenged to change. Whatever our personal impressions are of cyberspace, our world is rapidly evolving. Today's computers put more knowledge in our hands than any generation has previously possessed. It's obvious, however, that knowledge and information, however, don't transform lives. But, encounters with the Living God do. The challenge put before us, as believers, is to see the internet and it's web as our net, a place for transmitting our faith.

Although it's worth acknowledging that there are an overwhelming array of choices and options when it comes to web-based ministry, we must remain faithful to our commission to "go and make disciples" and so bear the responsibility for pursuing all available avenues for doing so. Pastors and church staff take note; resisting communication technologies only minimizes our opportunities to fulfill our assignments and callings. Being overwhelmed or undereducated aren't worthy excuses for rejecting the web. In order to steward the next generation, we are compelled to speak in a way they can understand. And what they understand is increasingly digitally enhanced.

New Testament Christianity was transmitted at a grassroots level and was viral in it's spread. Similarly, current web capabilities, from blogging to wiki authoring, from podcasting to social networking, from self-publishing to participating in virtual worlds, can facilitate viral communication and transfers of faith. The internet as a platform, unlike any medium we've seen in history, is instantly interactive, often collaborative, and basically, well, disruptive.

Unfortunately, sometimes the Internet's potential is buried in an avalanche of options. How can we begin to harness the communication value of the web?

It all starts with redeeming our thinking. Here are seven mentalities Christian leaders can embrace if they've missed the boat, or in this case, the ocean:

Welcome communication technologies with a positive attitude. (Disregarding web innovations means you miss your opportunity to reach the iGeneration.)
Apply the "how will they know unless someone tells them" posture to your internet usage; capitalize on opportunities to proclaim the Good News.
Seek out web-based ministry instruction; take responsibility for educating yourself in internet advantages. (Don't know enough about SEO? Join the club, it's time we learn.)
Know your spiritual gift-mix and callings so you can employ them in your online endeavors (See A Gifted Blog, for a shameless plug, I mean, example.)
Pursue others with knowledge from within your own congregation or sphere of influence. (This will force you to talk to people under 30.)
Commit yourself to regular web-based growth and expansion. (Add a Web 2.0 app, create a Facebook page, put up a Flickr photostream, Podcast a message, etc.)
Use it, don't lose it. Why should we complain that cyberspace is a "bad place" if we're not there?

Obviously, with any spiritual seasoning, you've learned not to chase after every new ministry idea that comes down the pike. And yes, the scriptures say that "unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers work is in vain" so no reason to embark on anything not orchestrated by the Lord. That said, and given balance, do you really think we have any excuse for neglecting our "other" flock. You know, the one on the internet. And you thought your church wasn't multi-site.