There has been quite a bit in the media recently about church communications. Here are a few excerpts from articles you may find interesting.
George Barna published a study last month that has rocked many Christian leaders’ worlds. “More than seven out of ten Americans (72%) claim they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is important in their life today.” However… “Only 17% of adults said that ‘a person’s faith is meant to be developed mainly by involvement in a local church.’ In other words, while there appears to be an increase in spirituality, fewer people are finding the local church important to their spiritual development.
The L.A. Times published an article yesterday entitled “God’s Call Comes by Cellphone.” It cites examples of how Christian churches are using the latest technology to connect with people. “Nearly 60% of Protestant churches have websites now, up from 35% in 2000. More than half use e-mail blasts to communicate with their congregation — and 12% let the faithful tithe online, according to the Barna Group, which conducts research for Christian ministries. In the sanctuary itself, more than 60% of Protestant churches spice up their services with video clips shown on oversize screens.” There has also been an explosion in churches that podcast the audio of their sermons, utilize text messaging, and even do video broadcasting of their services online.
Even the Wall Street Journal got into the act with an article called “Churches Embrace the Web In Bid to Attract Members.” It describes an Episcopal priest who has used MySpace to draw people to his church as well as a youth ministry that is using MySpace to connect with teens. “‘MySpace is a great tool for creating buzz,’ he said, ‘The trick is, how do you create buzz without endorsing something that can be potentially harmful?'”
It leads me to two questions…
- How does a church decide what technology to embrace?
- By providing podcasts and video services, is the church actually contributing to the problem that only 17% of Americans believe a person’s faith is meant to be developed in the context of the local church?
By the way, if you haven’t already done so, please give us your feedback in our online survey.
In His Service,
Paul Steinbrueck
OurChurch.Com
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.
12 Comments
Pingback: » Can the virtual church replace the physical church?
Here is what I have read in the above comments:
“People who state they can hear God clearly without going to church are being deceived and there is nothing like self-deception because that person is ultimately right, just asked them.”
“IS IT NOT SAD WHEN WE BECOME SO LAZY THAT WE DON’T WON’T TO GET UP AND GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD”
“I hear so many people defend not going to church. If you notice their defense is full of holes.”
“I point to a lack of accountability in a person’s life. No one is going to tell them what to do.”
These harsh comments from the “you must go to church” advocates convince me even more that it is not the place for me.
And if, as one person said, “The church is to equip the believer so that they will do the work of the ministry,” (to which I say AMEN!) and a church was actually doing that, rather than training people to sit in parallel pews and listen . . . God just might lead some of us who are “out” to come “in.” But, until then, no thanks.
Rather than take a defensive posture, if local “church” leaders would just LISTEN to what we “out of churchers” are saying, they just might hear what the Lord is saying to the “church.”
Ken R. Anderson