There are countless articles and statistics online showing how technology use can help churches with administration, worship, and communication. We write about it a lot here at Capterra. But are there downsides to all of this technology? Is it possible that while it may be aiding worship in some ways, it could be hindering it in others? According to a Tyndale University College and Seminary survey, 35 percent of church leaders believe that churches are too focused on technology, 13.6 percent believe that there are more important things to focus on than technology, and 11.5 percent believe that technology distracts people from worship.
Since that survey was completed, smartphone ownership has more than doubled from about 35 percent of American adults to 77 percent.
Pope Francis himself recently said that “It’s so sad when I’m celebrating mass here or inside the basilica and I see lots of phones held up.”
He added: “At a certain point the priest leading the ceremony says ‘lift up our hearts’. He doesn’t say ‘lift up our mobile phones to take photographs’—it’s a very ugly thing.”
What are the negative effects of technology use in church?
These days, we have everything at our fingertips. Answers to any question are just a Google search away. While incredibly useful, this environment has fostered self-reliance and reflexive turning to the internet instead of seeking out other people for help.
In church communities, the same logic applies—instead of going to a pastor or spiritual leader for advice, most people open up the web for answers.
While the internet and technology in and of themselves aren’t bad, they become a problem when technology becomes a substitute for human interaction. Connecting and interacting with other humans face-to-face is essential for life, and for churches.
For churches, technology enables email marketing, church management software, and the automation of various administrative tasks. Technology helps churches run smoother and be more efficient. But, it can turn into a roadblock to deeper human relationships if it prevents people from interacting with each other.
