Comments on: The Dangers of the Church’s Pursuit of Technology https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/ A look at how trends in communication technology impact individuals and organizations. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:59:55 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Wayne Raisbeck https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/comment-page-2/#comment-385851 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:59:55 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-385851 Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!

]]> By: Milwaukee 6370-21 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-382661 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:13:44 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-382661 Thank you for posting this. Honestly fantastic post. Thank you!

]]> By: Bettye Curey https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-316748 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:49:36 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-316748 Along with almost everything which appears to be developing inside this specific area, all your perspectives are generally very exciting. Even so, I appologize, because I do not give credence to your entire idea, all be it refreshing none the less. It seems to us that your comments are not entirely justified and in reality you are yourself not even totally convinced of your assertion. In any case I did appreciate examining it.

]]> By: Timothy Fish https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-19609 Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:13:39 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-19609 To a large degree, I think churches choose the technologies with which they have experience. People who have used the technology for other things or who have some knowledge of the technology see some way that it might be used to assist the church in its endeavors. Churches that have websites generally do so because someone saw potential. Churches use radio or television ministries because someone saw the potential.

]]> By: Darrin C https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-884 Wed, 24 May 2006 20:02:29 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-884 Wonderful blog going on here!!! Being new with OurChurch.com it is wonderful to know that we have picked an organization that correctly upholds our beliefs!! Thnak you. Joe D, right on Bro, this internet, website, and email stuff are just tools that we use to reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us always remember that is Christ that saves, not lights, video, audio, or internet. We need to remember to uphold the Word of God and preach it the way it needs to be, in its entirety. Blessings to you all.

]]> By: Joe D https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-874 Wed, 24 May 2006 03:39:54 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-874 Good and very relevant subject and the points are true and emphatic. God’s people have been known to misuse every good thing. I have been in churches where services can be run without a preacher but not without a hi-tech band, where a muscian gets a larger offering than the preacher, where the pulpit is put on the floor and the hi-tech and latest instrumentation on the platform. TV monitors have replaced Bibles and note books. The TV ministry has been stretched to a point where ministries have been ruined. There was a saying some years ago – “If you want to spoil a minister, teach him to use the Internet” and brother, how many get their messages from cyber space than from the throne of God! In many places, pastors depend on their technology to get people into the church. There are more people involved in technology than in prayer.

We are to use the things of this world and technology can be a tremendous blessing, but it should be in the right proportion which each church should prayerfully consider in the light of God and His Word.

]]> By: Tom Sutton https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-866 Tue, 23 May 2006 21:19:58 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-866 All great points. I was blessed by Kathryn’s comments. She hit the nail on the head and “drove it in with powerful strokes.” I am a district Lay president in the connectional AME Church. The points in Kathryn’s echortation are the same I constantly teach. Thank God for Kathryn and pray that He takes more believers to her level of understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.

In His Name.

Tom Sutton

]]> By: Kathryn https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-863 Tue, 23 May 2006 19:23:58 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-863 Firstly, there are dangers everywhere, even as becoming a slave to a building, calling `it’ the church and serving it. We can become a slave of `ministry’ instead of a bondslave of His love. So yes, the same can go for any `thing’ or anyone, it can become an idol. If we understand the we are the church, His body in the earth, He is not limited to a building or technology. He was not and is not nor ever meant to be boxed and yet that is what we have done( especially in the West). As understanding we are His body, the church, we live in intimate communion with Him, abiding in His presence. From out of the place of abiding, He sets us wheresoever He wills. Which is to mean, our neighborhood, community, city,marketplace, state, nation,etc. He said, `Where ever two or more are gathered in My name, there am I, in your midst.’ As He is Eternal, there is no time nor distance in the spirit realm and we function out of His Eternal realm in the earthly realm. Wherever the saints may gather(via internet, coffee shop, home, building) in His name, Holy Spirit is their to build up, edify the Body. Now we must from that place of being built up in Him, go forth and make disciples…the highway and hedges and compell them to come in. Come in where? To the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, and encourage them to continue to enter the depths of His kingdom, which is His domain, His Rule, His Reign, His Heart, His Life, His Light, His Love and make known His dominion in the earth. He is Lord!
As far as our giving, we are to led of the Spirit in all things. Our life is to be one of servanthood, therfore we give liberally which includes but is not limited to, finance. Is your neighbor in need of something? Are they hungry? Are they clothed? Are they hurting? Is the single mother down the street, struggling to make ends meet for her children? Are we BEING the church to these ones? Or are we just inviting them to go to a `church service?’ Has someone lost a loved one and you are giving of yourself, to them, for whatever they need? Is there someone you know who needs transportation, and you offering them a ride? Is your house a house of prayer? Is your home open that others may come and receive of Him, from the blessings of which He has given you? Are you putting the shoes on those who are called to remote places? Can you hug the homosexual and love them, yet utterly hate the sin( as it kills, steals(separates from) and destroys)? Will you be the vessel through whom He brings deliverence? So much to be said….

We need to `get it’ we are the church, we are the salt, we are the light and wherever He leads us…follow! Whatever He says do, do. Hear and obey the Most Holy Spirit, Christ in you, the hope of glory!

]]> By: William Haller https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-859 Tue, 23 May 2006 16:50:47 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-859 The church I attend (christunitedmethodist.org) runs a website, has a blog open to members, and posts sermons, etcetera. But if you really get down to fundamentals, none of this matters.

What sets a church apart from the world, gets a church noticed by the world, attracts people to a church (for the right reasons as opposed to being another social gathering place or just something that is expected of you) is the power of God present in the church.

The Egyptians weren’t impressed by many of the miracles God performed before Pharaoh. The court magicians could simulate many of them (although they occasionally lost something doing it). No. Smiting the firstborn across the land got their attention.

Were the enemies of the Israelites in the promised land impressed with the tabernacle? (Envious and wanting to steal it contents – perhaps, but not impressed). Yet when they took the Ark of the Covenant it eventually got so bad that cities were pleading with the leaders to not bring the Ark into their city because of what God would do to them.

Was the early church successful because of the disciples great eloquence and words? No. It was successful because the Spirit of God filled the disciples at Pentecost and they began preaching to anyone nearby in their native language about God. They continued the miracles that Jesus had performed. (The rending the veil in the temple, earthquake and darkness over the land when Christ was killed helped, too.)

Get the power of God back in the church first. Make the church once again something that God can be proud of without corruption and sin at so many levels. Fix the church from the top down and people might start looking up to the church and stop looking for means where they can have virtual arms-length relationship. Be different. Worry about what media to use to reach the lost and minister second (or fourth or fifth or tenth).

]]> By: Dennis Perkins https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-858 Tue, 23 May 2006 16:44:15 +0000 https://www.ourchurch.com/blog/2006/05/23/the-dangers-of-the-churchs-pursuit-of-technology/#comment-858 I agree with your warnings about the virtual world verses the real world. We are making everything so easy in our society, and it is no different concerning church. Sometimes in our zeal to make services available in different formats to those who may really need them (those not physically able to make it to church) we inadvertently enable those who are able to go but don’t want to sacrifice the time and make the effort. There is a fine line there that is tough to walk.

Also, it is nice to know we are doing business with someone who values the authority of God’s Word. It is wonderful to know you consider a gender neutral version a compromise of God’s Word. Also to know that you would mention cohabitation and homosexuality both as sins. Both are sin, but I think sometimes it is very easy for the church today to condemn homosexuality and give a free pass to fornicators and adulterers, especially those within the church. Sin is sin and should be called by what it is. Thank God He gives His grace to us all through the salvation afforded us by Jesus’ death on the cross. It is our prayer that those who are still lost will accept His wonderful gift.

Thanks for the article. God bless!

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