The Cutting Edge: Technology & Church Ministry

Bob Gonzales

All churches employ forms of modern technology to assist them in the tasks of outreach, discipleship, community, and worship. This raises the question as to whether the Bible provides the church with any guidelines or principles for choosing and using appropriate forms of technology in carrying out her Great Commission. I believe it does. One key text in this regard actually comes from the Old Testament. I’m thinking of Ecclesiastes 10:10, where we read, “Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade.

Discussion

Is A.I. Making Bible Study Stupid?

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“When I first began teaching others how to use Bible software in the early 2000s, I actually had a stock joke that Logos was building a sermon generator that would produce both exegesis and illustrations. It wasn’t a very funny joke then; now it’s not a joke at all. AI can do this.” - Mark Ward

Discussion

7 Best Practices for an Effective Church Website

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“Whether you lead a growing church or one that’s plateaued, your online presence plays a vital role in engaging more people in your community. In many cases, the vast majority of a church’s web traffic comes from new people.” - Lifeway

Discussion

AI: Developing a Christian Perspective

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“In his article, ‘Who’s Afraid of AI?,’ Erik Hanson helpfully reminds us to deal biblically with our fears and think objectively and soberly about this technology. We also must be alert to the way technology affects the way we minister.” - P&D

Discussion

Is It Time To Stop Streaming Your Service?

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“For the time being, we continue to offer it as a help to those who are legitimately unable to attend church due to illness. However, to ensure it is being used for only that purpose, we put it behind a password.” - Challies

Discussion

Digital Hymnal Lifewayworship.com Will Live On

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“Services like MultiTracks, PraiseCharts, and SongSelect offer tools that allow big churches to replicate the recorded versions of new worship songs. Bishop says that for larger churches with the teams and budget, those resources are ideal. But it’s not what most smaller churches need.” - Christianity Today

Discussion

Social Media Deplatforming and the Law

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Deplatforming: “Use of the word has expanded to include banning, limiting, or demonetizing an individual or organization’s social media access based on the content or ideology of their message.” - Maranatha Baptist Univ

Hat tip: P&D

Discussion