As I have been researching and working through content creation and projects for a few churches, I keep getting reminded and taken back to the “why” behind church technology. I’ve been thinking through the “why” of everything that I do. If you know me, you will know that I always remind those that I lead to keep going back to the “why.”
A trusted mentor recently reminded me that we can easily figure out the “what” and “how”, but you first need to start with the “why.” What is the real reason behind what you want to do? So today I want to talk through the “why” of church technology. This is where we will always start for any of our services here at The Light Media Group. The best and first place to look for your “why” is the Bible.
For God’s Glory
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
As Christians, we are called to do all things for the glory of God. But what does that mean? We are all familiar with the verse, but often don’t understand it or live it. To me it really means that we have freedom in Christ. We don’t need to live in fear of failure. At the same time, we should push for and pursue a life being open to sanctification, to glorify God and live in a Christ-like manner. If interested, you can read more from Desiring God about this same topic.
How does this apply to technology?
Really, it drives and answers the question of “why”. Why do we want a productive website, an audio system with great sound, or an outreach ministry leveraging social media tools? We want to glorify God, and not in a way to point back and boast in ourselves. It frees us to sit back and give God the control, and it helps drive decisions for ministry tools. We can sing a new song, connect with our communities, and be a light to the darkness around us all while staying true to scripture and to the holiness of God. This answer to “why” drives what we do and how we do it.
While serving at a past church, the decision was made to restructure to a single leadership board instead of having multiple committees. During that restructuring process, we realized there were a few ministries that were not being done because we didn’t truly have the heart for them as a church body. These ministries were a part of the church because we felt like we “had to” or we had “always” done them. They were not something that our church was currently called to do. The question of “why” we should continue couldn’t be answered, so those ministries dissolved; and it was a good thing. It allowed us to put our funds and focus back into the ministries that our church body DID feel called by the Spirit to pour into.
Closing
Let me challenge you to evaluate ministries and tools in ministry. Are they being used to God’s glory? Deep down, and not just by mouth or motion? To the heart of them, are they fully and totally committed to God’s Glory? Continuing to re-evaluate as ministries grow helps ensure that we are always doing them for the glory of God and to further His Kingdom.
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