Technology in church can feel like a marvel—shiny tools, slick screens, streaming worship. Yet the very same church tech can become a turn-off when not handled thoughtfully. So let’s talk about church tech turn-offs: the ways that technology, meant to serve people, actually causes offense, friction or disconnect in your congregation.
Church Tech Turn-offs
Over-emphasis on high-end gear rather than people
When your sanctuary looks like a concert venue, with giant LED screens, flashing lights, and booming surround sound, someone might feel, “This isn’t church to me—it’s a show.”
According to an article on church technology (see the RELATED link below), “When the medium becomes more important than the message, we may find ourselves slipping into the trap of bad tech.”
Tip: Use what you have well. Ask: Does this gear help people worship, or distract them?
RELATED: Bad Tech: When Technology Overpowers the Gospel
Lack of accessibility or inclusivity
When a livestream starts late, captions fail, or older members struggle with the mobile app, tech turns into a barrier—not a bridge. One article on how technology affects churches notes the danger: “Superficial connections… online services and social media interactions often lack the depth and accountability that come from face-to-face fellowship.”
Application: Audit your tech for usability: ask real people (young, old, new, longtime) to try your site/app and report their frustrations.
When volunteers are replaced by automation or removed from service
One article states: “I’d rather have top quality people and below level equipment, than state of the art equipment and below level people.” ChurchLeaders
When technology sidelines volunteers, they feel undervalued—and others sense the lack of human touch.
Tip: Create roles for volunteers even in your tech stack. Let them assist, host, engage—not just “press play.”
Constant tech jargon or insider lingo
When messages to the congregation talk about “upgrading to 4K, installing XG-Stream code, optimizing latency” without explaining what it means for them, they feel left out. They’re in the pews, not the server room.
Application: Use plain language (‘We’ll now stream to our homes’, not ‘We’ve leveraged CDN acceleration’). Provide a brief explanation: “This means fewer interruptions for you.”
Reliability problems and frequent glitches
Nothing offends like un-worship-worthy interruptions: a microphone squeal, livestream freeze, slides that don’t show up. People come expecting worship, not tech drama. According to a recent piece: “When technology works well, it fades into the background…and allows ministry to shine. When it fails, it often becomes a distraction.” ChurchLeaders
Tip: Schedule regular tech-check rehearsals, and have a “plan B” ready (fallback mic, backup laptop, analogue slides).
