Technology and Worship

#180of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney Technology

Technology is everywhere in our lives. From school to work to home to social activities to worship and beyond. It appears on TVs, radios, phones, tablets, computers, phones, billboards, cars, airplanes, screens everywhere. We are inundated with technology and connectiveness, but why aren’t we more connected in our communities than ever before? You may have a thousand friends on facebook but don’t know your neighbors. We donate to a cause halfway around the world or a Kickstarter campaign from someone we have never met but don’t donate to local charities and houses of worship. Is technology bringing us together or dividing a wedge between us. Moreover, is it bringing us the world but losing the person next door?

I was invited the other day to a wonderful dinner and gathering of Christian technologists who want to share the word through technology. We talked about everything from video game hangouts to live streaming services to students running the technology for services to all of our kids’ building content and beyond. So many wonderful ideas to bring the Gospel to everyone in the world and next door.

I left excited but also a little concerned. Not concerned about the good nature of everyone and the hopes and dreams but the execution. Maybe it is the faculty development person in me, maybe it’s the teacher in me, or maybe it’s the technologist in me, but while we had awesome ideas, I didn’t see crystal clear objectives. These objectives guide us and help us spread the word.

One thing that came to mind besides the use of technology to help others join in worship, is what is worship? Is worship listening to a pastor or priest?  Maybe it is praying or singing? Could it be something else? Is it a personal experience or a communal one? I don’t know but to me, if we are going to spread the Gospel through technology and have more people worship, we need to define worship. Luckily for us, we have a good source 🙂

Scripture on Worship and Technology

“He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ “This is the meaning of the parable: the seed is the word of God.” – Luke 8:10-11

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:!4-15

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” – Matthew 28:18-19

Reflection and Charge

Ok, so the Bible doesn’t say to use an iPad or streaming video to share worship and the Gospel. There is no mention of hanging out online playing fortnite or Minecraft and talking about the 10 commandments. We have no guide on what technology to use or how to use it. We are commanded to go and make disciples of all nations. The Word tells us that people learn in very different ways. In Romans, we see how beautiful the feet of those who bring the good news is. Feet was the only way to bring it in Biblical times, but now we can bring it through technology.

Technology is a tool for us to share His Word, His Compassion, and His Love. As part of this commission, we need to make sure those feet bring the word in a directed, purposeful way to bring more people into the flock. This will be a challenge and we have seen how good intentions don’t always work. I know the group involved is blessed by God, and through your prayers, through clear objectives and purpose, the Holy Spirit will work through us to use his gift of technology to be the feet of this generation. We will be his disciples and continue the good work.

Are you willing to pray for this Gospel Technology Mission? Are you looking to help bring worship to as many as possible?

We can use all the help through prays, promotion, and participation.

I am willing to pray, promote, and participate with the help of God.