The Church and Technology!

 The Church and Technology!

Looking around the cities of Gainesville and Ocala FL, you would think that there is no gain in the wide world of technology. Many of the churches are still living in the days of no computers. Holding fast to their old ways (old tradition) they are still preaching to the choir and the 4 walls of the building that they are fellowshipping in.

Mark 16:15

And he said to them, “Goto the entire worldand preach my Good News in all creation. ...Godcommands his servants to offer the salvation to "all men. ... Or that part of the worldmarked outfor him,

When will the church of tomorrow catch up with the church of today? “In other words”, when will the church understand that technology is here to stay? And without it present, your church will not reach the rewards that it could.

 Structure upgrades to your online presence of YOUR ministries-

Many churches will hire a firm or use a faithful volunteer willing to put their web skills to service for God. The problem is many churches and their leadership think about web sites more from the perspective of purchasing a car than they perceive monthly utilities.

In our day and age technology and connection points are constantly changing and new ones are being added. This often happens on a monthly basis. In order to keep up with trends and stay relevant a church must continue to factor in resources to keep their presence fresh and relevant. Church websites often have a “honeymoon” time span of around 6 months. During those 6 months, many will add new content, adjust pictures, or give some updated scheduling and contact information. As time goes on, few have a schedule let alone a plan to keep things updated. Rarely will you find a church that is intentional on keeping their online presence fresh with new ways to add content. This disconnection eliminates the VALUE perception of relevance that most churches desire to portray when their community connects with them.

With the ever evolving world of social networks, search engine optimization and real time media streaming capabilities, churches need to constantly redefine and be ready to ADAPT connection points with their community whether online or in person. Understanding how the live and virtual worlds can most effectively support each other will help in defining how your church can connect

Technology is definitely cool. It makes so many things easier. But don’t get hung up on the technology. Get hung up on the idea. Get hung up on the people. That’s how technology can help your church

Sure there is cost to make those big steps and maybe your ministry is behind the curve with technology. However, in the long run taking those steps and making those financial investments in technology will build a value mechanism into the connection experience you give your congregation. If you truly value the followers in your audience, WHY would you NOT SHOW this CONSISTENTLY by connecting with them on platforms that are familiar and up to date which they use or see every other day of the week?

I think technology is an important tool for reaching people today. For those that say technology shouldn’t be used in church are the ones that believe that if Jesus was a carpenter today, he wouldn’t use a nail gun. The balance has to be how it is implemented. We host a site called http://www.geit-solutions.com to help small and medium size church how to implement technology in a cost effective manner. You don’t have to be a mega church to look like it. I believe that it is also important that each church find their own “secret sauce” in how to use it.
Some one asked me when the use of technology becomes entertainment and not ministry. I told them that it is when the technology becomes the distraction from the message and purpose of the service. Technology should only help to convey our message not get in the way. We are huge proponents of the web, pay per click, Facebook, bogging, live streaming, on demand, pod casting and video casting and what ever it takes to reach people short of sinning.

Technology is a very broad term that should really be broke down for clarity purposes. For example, Twitter is a “communication” technology tool. Communication with your flock is certainly important.
Along these same lines, there are numerous other communication tools one could use in the church. Another popular communication tool is bogging.
There’s also the all important database of your members. For more information on why a member’s database is so important, go to http://www.churchmanagementsoftwaresystem.com/.
Unquestionably, technology is very important to a church. However, there can also be technology overload … when is enough enough? Can’t do it all. Set priorities, know what outcome you’re after, know the profile of your flock and make the decisions that best meet these objectives.
There’s a lot to think about.

So…..If your church need technology in or around Gainesvilleand Ocala Fl - Call G&E IT Solutions 352-622-4680 (www.geit-solutions.com). This is a company that was found on the word and still stands on the word of GOD!

Earnest Hover