It’s easier than ever to “attend” church in pajamas, scrolling through Instagram between worship songs. While online services can be lifelines for the sick, elderly, or those without a local church, they can also become excuses for disengagement. Bad tech creates a version of church that’s comfortable but not transformative. It offers a faith experience that doesn’t require presence, service, or accountability.
Christian community, however, isn’t meant to be passive or virtual. It’s meant to be embodied. The Gospel is not just content—it’s a call to action, a summons to gather, to serve, to disciple, and to grow together. When tech erodes that sense of embodied commitment, we must ask: Are we still being the Church, or just watching a well-produced imitation?
Replacing Reverence with Relevance
Another danger of bad tech is the pursuit of constant relevance. In an effort to stay culturally “in touch,” some churches have allowed their digital presence to overshadow their spiritual depth. Sermons are clipped into reels. Worship becomes a stage performance. Even prayer can feel scripted for the camera.
Again, technology isn’t the enemy. But when our use of it turns sacred moments into content for public consumption, we risk losing the reverence that should define our approach to God. Holiness doesn’t trend well. Silence doesn’t go viral. Repentance isn’t marketable. But these are essential parts of the Christian life.
Bad tech pushes us toward a shallow, curated version of faith—a highlight reel instead of the whole journey. It’s a faith that performs well on social media but leaves hearts empty. It can draw a crowd, but it doesn’t necessarily make disciples.
Reclaiming the Purpose of Technology
So how do we avoid the trap of bad tech? It starts with realignment. Churches and Christian leaders must remember that technology is a tool, not a mission. It can enhance the Gospel, but it should never replace it. We must be intentional, discerning, and courageous enough to ask hard questions about our digital habits.
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Are our tech choices rooted in faithfulness or driven by trends? Are we prioritizing spiritual depth or platform growth? Are we more concerned with aesthetics or authenticity?
Reclaiming technology for the Kingdom doesn’t mean unplugging completely—it means using our tools to foster real connection, build genuine community, and point clearly to Christ. It means resisting the pressure to entertain and instead cultivating spaces where truth, transformation, and the presence of God are central.
Let’s choose platforms that promote discipleship, not just distribution. Let’s design experiences that lead to encounter, not just engagement. And let’s use technology with humility, knowing that no screen can ever replace the power of the Spirit or the beauty of a gathered, praying church.
In a digital world, the Church has an opportunity to shine—not by copying culture, but by offering something deeper, truer, and eternal. Bad tech may be loud, flashy, and ever-changing—but the Gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. Let’s make sure our use of technology reflects that truth.
