In fact, in many ways, Christianity owes its global spread to the work of people powered by innovation and change. A sense of curiosity among Spirit-led pioneers of the past led us to adopt innovative technology for the work of the church. Consider:
- The printing press enabled not just Scripture distribution, but also increased literacy rates and changing roles in the church. It also changed the understanding of “prophets, priests, and kings,” which eventually led to full-scale reformation.
- Broadcast technology allows God’s Word to transcend borders, even into closed countries. It also enabled the rise of large-scale revival, and personality-driven ministry. This made possible the rise of the megachurch in the late 20th century.
- The impact of the Internet on the Church started with church websites and a few who pioneered streaming. Then, the Covid-19 pandemic thrust nearly every church into using the Internet for content consumption, Zoom calls, etc. In a post-pandemic world, churches are now exploring moving beyond streaming into more holistic ministry. Meanwhile, Web 3, the Metaverse, and other paradigm shifts are on the horizon.
Technology is amoral. Yet for every dreamer who sees an innovative new capability and asks the church, “What if?” there is at least one skeptic in the back pew asking, “Why?”
For the skeptic, there is a sacred air about our traditions. Throwing out the old in favor of the flavor-of-the-month new idea is unnecessary (heretical?) and perhaps insulting to our predecessors. In addition, some say, it also brings no perceived value toward the goal of making disciples and proclaiming the timeless gospel message. After all, the Early Church spread like wildfire without the help of 5G wireless signals or child check-in stations!
But technology innovation in the Church is just a smokescreen. This is really a conversation about change—whether we will embrace what can make us better or reject new ideas that threaten what we believe our churches ought to look like. In a world that increasingly believes the Bible and its adherents to be outdated, irrelevant, or even hostile, how should the Church respond when innovation and change have permanently altered the way our culture relates, connects, and converses? We should thoughtfully embrace it (with the key word here being thoughtfully). We can begin by asking questions:
- How can this be used to glorify God?
- Does it solve current challenges?
- Does it work?
- Is it a better use of resources than what we currently employ?
- Does it follow, support, or contradict biblical principles?
- Does it support core principles of discipleship and growth?
- Do we have a way to know if it accelerates our mission?
- What processes need to change when we implement this? How can we ensure success?
- Does its use present a stumbling block or risk? If so, are there ways to effectively mitigate?
- Does its use increase exposure or liability for the church? If so, are we prepared?
Several millennia ago, the Apostle Paul understood the need to change for the sake of a world in need: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some,” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
