Joshua Petras 20 October 2013 EDUC 515 Lance Martin Faith Integration Assignment Our world is a digital world.

Most people would affirm this statement as a fact and would have probably done so for the past five years or more. However, despite the fact that most people would agree with such a statement, churches have been one of the slowest facets of society in embracing a digital world. Up to 5 years ago, many churches embraced a limited view of technology, with website design the only real technology being utilized. The technology was used as an informational tool at best, but no real way in which the culture could engage cultures via technology. Thankfully, there has been a change. Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, states the reality behind the need for the change that has occurred.

By now, just about every church, corporation, business, school, or organization has a presence on the Internet. If not, realize that you just do not exist, so far as untold millions of people are concerned.

Mohler addressed the major concern of churches failure to have a identity in the technological world. How can any organization that wants to reach the nations ignore the avenue that is the major form of communication for almost the entire society they are trying to reach? The problem has brought about a lot of change in the way churches approach technology and churches have seen major success as a result. There are three areas to examine when discussing the way in churches use technology.

The first, and most obvious, area that churches have changed the way in which they utilize technology is in the way in which they distribute information. With service times, addresses, discipleship groups, special services, and special events always occurring, it is important for a church to make sure that they have all the information available to their congregation. Churches have found many creative ways to distribute this information without putting it in a bulleting that is going to be thrown out 10 minutes after church. Churches have websites that contain calendars for every event. One of the helpful things about the connectivity of the internet is that churches are able to link people to Google maps for these events. Churches also have utilized e-mail lists for these same needs. There are some churches who have pushed beyond these basic technologies to get information out. Some churches have taken to Twitter, either having a church account or accounts for the leaders. Churches are able to make sure their people are seeing the information in the area that they may visit the most during the day. The use of Twitter is an example of many different social medias (Instagram, Vimeo, Facebook, etc.) that churches have employed for this purpose. Along with social media, many churches have created their own Apps that also provide those who download the App with information or news about upcoming events. While many churches may continue to print bulletins, they no longer are the dominant source of church information. The second purpose for which churches have increased their use of technology is for the purpose of creating digital community. While church picnics are a great time to see everybody, there is now more opportunity through technology to let faith-based community flourish. One of the most simple ways is which people can interact with each other on social media. Churches, or even groups such as youth groups within a church, can create their Facebook page or other social media account. At the same time, Apps and websites that are used as digital bibles are designed

to where readers can post favorite verses to their Twitter or other social media accounts. A little more advanced than this is the area of online blogging and reading. Depending on the church some churches are able to blog anywhere between twice a week to multiple times a day. These blogs can contain responses, perspectives, or even reflections about events, sermons, or theological truths. Some churches post a daily devotional or a read through the bible plan. The thing that makes these things social is that all of these blogs have a comment section. This allows church members to interact as they read these posts together. Along with blogs, many churches have their apps available such that members can use them to access a church directory. There is one area of social interaction through technology that must be highlighted. Many churches have their churches on The City, a social networking site that allows churches to create own closed community. What The City does is it allows any member of a particular church to access that churchs city account. Members can interact with other members, join groups, and so on. However, along with information, the City allows for members to prepare for service as well. Members within the same ministry can create a group and work on projects through the website. Potluck sig-ups can be created on The City and members can register to bring specific items. The City has transformed the way in which churches do community and has brought everything online. The final way in which churches have begun to utilize technology is in the area of promoting their faith. A church is now able to share content of sermons and discuss issues of doctrine at much faster rates. Sermon audio for every church is recorded and distributed. If the sermon audio is not on the churchs App, it is found on the website or through the podcast. Churches are able to use their websites to promote book or other sermons that may address specific needs. Many conferences are now live streamed, and even some churches live stream

their morning service. Blogs have played a major role, as there are now thousands and thousands of people in the world blogging about their faith. Some of these blogs are church based while others are organization based. The Gospel Coalition, a non-denominational blog, not only has its own writers that discuss theology and practical Christian living, but it is used as a source to find other blogs that discuss the same topics. Every on the Internet there is access to rich sources of theological discussion, whether is through blogs or podcasts. Churches have finally caught up. The days of the bulleting and the church picnic are still here, but technology has now been utilized in a much greater way. Information is passed through websites, Apps, and even social media. Technology has allowed faith-based community to occur anytime of the week. There has also been an increased ability for people to access, understand, and share the doctrines behind their beliefs through technology. The church is finally able to reach out to people it had formerly ignored.