Looking at technology as a positive thing - How can the church use technology to break down barriers?

My husband and I took our dog on a walk around a lake. It seemed like a harmless plan... 

On our way out, our dog stopped on the boat ramp to take a drink. Curious, I took my shoes off to dip my feet into the water. A few seconds later, I was slipping on slimy concrete and falling ... into the lake. My husband, chivalrous as he is, reached for me, but he too slipped and fell into the water, dragging our poor pup with him. After swimming to some rocks to climb out, we realized that not only was there a graduation party at a house about 20 ft. from us, but both of our iPhones had gone for a swim too. 

We laughed, we cried (from laughter), we pouted ... it was a wonderful day. But suddenly, we were without phones, and it was, well, difficult. 

Here are some lightbulb moments from our time without iPhones: 

  1. We need more clocks in the house. 
  2. We don't have a house phone ... emergencies could get interesting. 
  3. I miss being able to text my mom. (Don't judge me.) 
  4. The power to know the fastest route to my destination is something I shouldn't be allowed to live without ... let's just say getting places on time has been interesting. 
  5. Actual alarm clocks are TERRIBLE. They make awful sounds, and I want to throw them. 
  6. I'm grateful to live in a time where my husband and I can so easily talk throughout the day. It makes me feel like he's always with me, and I like that because he's a really cool person. 
  7. Google. Nothing specific here - it's just brilliant, and I love it. 
  8. Morning radio is boring. Thanks to my iPhone, I enjoyed listening to audiobooks and podcasts in my car. Now that I've been without them, I can tell you the struggle is real. 
  9. Connection is good! 
  10. And my personal favorite: Technology helps make life easier and takes down unnecessary barriers. 

When I first told people about our new life without phones, I knew their reaction would be something like, "Oh, how are you going to live, you Millennial, you!" (Maybe something less dorky.) And yes, I am a Millennial. And yes, I've had an iPhone since the original came out when I was 17. And yes, I guess if you look up the definition of addiction ("the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing or activity" -dictionary.com), then yes, I'm addicted to my iPhone. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Based on this definition and the way that I use my phone, I'm also addicted to being with my family, taking photos at my niece's softball game, talking to my husband and watching funny videos of puppies. 

It is very easy in today's culture to look at technology as a glass half-empty kind of situation. There are many possible negative effects of technology, and typically, we find that churches can list these off quickly. BUT, what if, as the Church especially, we chose to look at technology as glass half-full? What if we looked at all the positive things that technology can bring us? All the connection, all the barriers it breaks down, all the opportunities it brings for us to share the Gospel? 

I like the way my church encourages me, challenges me and motivates me when I'm there on Sunday. I like my iPhone and the way it keeps me connected to the people I love and the things I care about. And I like the opportunities there are to bring the two of these things together.

I do not, however, like lakes anymore ... 

Has your church found a unique way to use technology to further your mission? Click below to share this article on social and let us know what you've done!