Technology has changed the way we live, work, and communicate—and for the most part, that change has been positive. From digital Bibles to live-streamed services, the church has embraced innovation to reach wider audiences and engage with believers across the globe. But what happens when technology begins to overshadow the very message it’s meant to amplify? When the medium becomes more important than the message, we may find ourselves slipping into the trap of bad tech — a term that describes technology used in ways that distract from or possibly even distort the Gospel.
The Subtle Threat of Bad Tech
Not all technology is bad. In fact, many tools have empowered churches to spread the Good News more effectively than ever before. But bad tech is something different. It’s when our screens, platforms, and systems start to shape the message rather than serve it. It’s when pastors feel pressure to deliver TED Talk-level sermons to compete with social media content, and when worship becomes more about lighting rigs and camera angles than lifting hearts to God.
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This isn’t a call to reject technology, but a call to examine it. Are we using tech to draw people closer to Christ—or just to keep them entertained? Are our churches prioritizing digital convenience over spiritual formation? Are we substituting virtual connection for real-life community?
These are critical questions in a world that is increasingly driven by metrics—views, likes, shares, and comments. When we let those numbers define success in ministry, we risk falling into the trap of bad tech: performance over presence, spectacle over substance, algorithm over anointing.
When Convenience Undermines Commitment
One of the blessings of technology is accessibility. Livestreamed services, Bible apps, and online devotionals have made spiritual resources available at the touch of a button. But with that convenience comes a subtle danger: the temptation to treat faith as something to consume rather than something to commit to.
