New report sent out this week by Barna Research Group -- Barna Technology Study: Social Networking, Online Entertainment and Church Podcasts. Some excerpts that caught my attention:
- ... text messaging and instant messaging (IM) ... One-third of computer users (33%) have used IM in the past week, while 30% of Americans have sent someone a text message via a mobile telephone.
- Searching for information or content is easily the most common online activity of the 15 assessed in the study. In all, more than eight out of 10 computer users had snapped up information via the Web in the last week (84%).
- ... one-quarter of computer users (26%) reported watching a video via the Internet in the previous seven days.
- ... matters of faith played very little role in differentiating people’s technological habits.
- The study found that 38% of evangelicals and 31% of other born again Christians had listened to a sermon or church teaching via digital recordings available on the Internet (often called a "podcast"), compared with 17% of other adults.
Read the full report at barna.org . That's the data, but what does it mean?
A couple things come to mind: 1. If Christians and non-Christians use web technologies similarly, a church has to use web technologies in similar ways to stay connected and relevant for its "in-reach" and outreach; 2. podcasts help your church members get spiritual nourishment more than reaching non-Christians; 3. instant communications will continue to rise in usage-- via text messaging, instant messaging, and live streaming videos (my speculation.) Seeing Ustream.tv being used at 2 recent conferences (PDSummit and WiBo) hinted to me that the very same technology could be used at the local church level too.
What could it mean for you? For your church?
-- DJ Chuang, Leadership Network Director
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