Will technology make the church obsolete?

[Riverwolf]

Most mornings I wake up reading CNN online like some folks watch the TV news and talk shows. CNN has a page titled Belief Blog and every morning is a new feature story. This morning was a author of a book on how the internet is and will change church and even bible reading as we know it. It got me thinking, - I am waiting for this house to sell before I find a new church so I can be close to it. But when will that be? Most of my bible reading nowadays is online, including this site. I mean, how handy to have a bible verse open in one window and google to research it in another?
Here is the link if you are interested:

My Take: How technology could bring down the church – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

 

[Christ_empowered]

I don't think technology is the biggest problem facing the church. I think our growing, collective narcissism is making a Body of Christ--one in which you must deal with other people's talents and flaws, and adjust to discipline--harder and harder to attain.

 

[Nick]

I don't think technology is the biggest problem facing the church. I think our growing, collective narcissism is making a Body of Christ--one in which you must deal with other people's talents and flaws, and adjust to discipline--harder and harder to attain.

I completely agree here with Christ_empowered. While I think that technology at times can present a problem for the church, it can also be very sucessfully used for good in a service.

Much more of a problem is the collective narcisism that CE is talking about is much more of a challenge. We are the wealthiest generation in the world, and yet (especially in the younger generation) we are the least happy. Take a look at divorce and depression rates. They're skyrocketing! Materialism and individualism play a vital role here in shaping this problem, as does the idea of improving a child's self esteem. it's gone way too far, and led to many people being very apathetic about politics and religion and thinking they can be anyone they want to be if they set their minds to it.

 

[Potluck]

People have always been looking for answers without God ever since Moses came down off the mountain with the technology to create a graven image. Evolution teaches there had to have been another beginning or even beginnings. Technology is nothing more than the mind of man. That hasn't changed much. Teachings of "self" this or that negates anything Christ ever taught. And people have always been looking for the easy way out without having to take a really honest look into themselves.

Turning from God is nothing new. Scripture is scripture whether it comes from a book, the pulpit or any other means of communication. Some say God no longer speaks to His people but I beg to differ. Every time a believer utters His Word God speaks through him or her. Through the marvels of technology God is shouting at us but many are drifting farther and farther away ignoring His voice as a runaway ignores a mother's pleas while he/she turns the bend in the road.

Technology has actually brought us closer to God revealing more and more of His creation so we may stand in ever-increasing awe of His power and Glory. But many have chosen not to do that but rather having a faith unto themselves to understand what has been revealed.

He made a promise to me, to all who would believe. I believe Him having no faith in myself for I am weak. I believe Him when he tells me He is faithful. I believe Him when He says He goes to prepare a place for me. And I believe Him when He says He will return for me.

I don't believe or have any faith in the common idea of division within His Church but rather He is threshing His wheat, refining His silver and gold depleting His Church of the chaff and the dross. And I also believe He shall preserve His Church saying the "gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

 

[Jake]

Turning from God is nothing new. Scripture is scripture whether it comes from a book, the pulpit or any other means of communication. Some say God no longer speaks to His people but I beg to differ. Every time a believer utters His Word God speaks through him or her. Through the marvels of technology God is shouting at us but many are drifting farther and farther away ignoring His voice as a runaway ignores a mother's pleas while he/she turns the bend in the road.

I don't think technology is hurting the Church, the resources we have now enhances learning experiences, we meet other believers through it, we can watch videos of favorite preachers worldwide. Too much gets blamed on technology when in fact, it could be a problem within specific church walls.

To touch on your point, Potluck, of how people are drifting further away, imo, it seems people are not simply drifting away, there is a more defining line between believers and non-believers. The "lukewarm" section is going away, they are either the ones drifting or they are turning on the heat. The middle is disappearing and that is one of the reasons we see less church attendance, that and believers are finding dissatisfaction within the church walls and really want to make a difference in their communities, truly wanting to be The Body of Christ. again, imo.

 

[Mike]

Rockies, it could be just me, but I wonder if you're seeing a different point than I am in this thread. Christ_empowered and Potluck nailed it as far as I see it. This isn't so much about "enhancing" the experience at church through technology (although I woundn't say it enhances it). I see the focus more on technology driving people away from corporate worship and into their own self-supporting lives. Most would agree this is not how God would have us live as the Body of Christ.

If someone comes to a place where they no longer seek fellowship in a church; where the Internet is their main source of nourishment,:

How does he grow in patience for weaknesses of others?
How does his iron truly touch other iron?
How does he grow in selflessness to feel that others need him there even if he might not think he does?
How can he see that people who wear suits or wear rags are no more/no less beloved?
How does he comfort the person who sits in the back because he's too ashamed to approach the altar?

As much as I engage in the benefits of technology, I can see it as a great distraction from honest fellowship. There's too much information, and I believe this results in a shorter attention span, less patience, less empathy for the hurting and many other "lesses". I believe we're being conditioned to not wait on the Lord for answers. Why wait, when the "answer" is a few clicks away?

 

[Jake]

Rockies, it could be just me, but I wonder if you're seeing a different point than I am in this thread. Christ_empowered and Potluck nailed it as far as I see it. This isn't so much about "enhancing" the experience at church through technology (although I woundn't say it enhances it). I see the focus more on technology driving people away from corporate worship and into their own self-supporting lives. Most would agree this is not how God would have us live as the Body of Christ.

If someone comes to a place where they no longer seek fellowship in a church; where the Internet is their main source of nourishment,:

How does he grow in patience for weaknesses of others?
How does his iron truly touch other iron?
How does he grow in selflessness to feel that others need him there even if he might not think he does?
How can he see that people who wear suits or wear rags are no more/no less beloved?
How does he comfort the person who sits in the back because he's too ashamed to approach the altar?

As much as I engage in the benefits of technology, I can see it as a great distraction from honest fellowship. There's too much information, and I believe this results in a shorter attention span, less patience, less empathy for the hurting and many other "lesses". I believe we're being conditioned to not wait on the Lord for answers. Why wait, when the "answer" is a few clicks away?

But shouldn't we hold the believer responsible then and not technology? In a true believer's life, shouldn't we all be balanced, if we are truly seeking God we will be obedient to His gospel and not only fellowship with other believers, but we also read and study on our own and we go out and be His Body in the world? That if a person is so inclined to only learn and be stuck to his computer or other technology that person would have spiritual issues, right?

There has always been something causing addictions in humans or something else to make us turn away from God, we didn't blame those "things", so why blame technology for people's disobedience?

That's all I am saying.

 

[Pard]

Like with tightrope walking, it's a balancing act. The internet is one of the greatest advances that humans have ever made. It pretty much made everything easier and faster. It's also one of the most dangerous advances because it makes people withdrawn and lazy.

The Church (not the RCC, I mean, THE CHURCH) should embrace the internet and use it, but at the same time it cannot turn into the new means of attending Sunday service.

I think the internet can be a super tool for evangelism, I mean I can now reach millions of people with a click of my mouse. What we are currently seeing is that people are not satisfied with the churches and what they are putting it. This doesn't have to be a bad thing. The various churches of the world should see why people are leaving and see where they are going instead. I have a great church, but I have visited churches that disgust me because of their idol-worshiping and their blaspheming.

Maybe people are leaving because the churches are straying from Christ. They think they can find Christ by themselves. And they are both right and wrong in that thinking. The churches they are at are probably straying from Christ, but the road to salvation is a long one and it cannot be traversed in solitude.

 

[Jake]

Like with tightrope walking, it's a balancing act. The internet is one of the greatest advances that humans have ever made. It pretty much made everything easier and faster. It's also one of the most dangerous advances because it makes people withdrawn and lazy.

The Church (not the RCC, I mean, THE CHURCH) should embrace the internet and use it, but at the same time it cannot turn into the new means of attending Sunday service.

I think the internet can be a super tool for evangelism, I mean I can now reach millions of people with a click of my mouse. What we are currently seeing is that people are not satisfied with the churches and what they are putting it. This doesn't have to be a bad thing. The various churches of the world should see why people are leaving and see where they are going instead. I have a great church, but I have visited churches that disgust me because of their idol-worshiping and their blaspheming.

Maybe people are leaving because the churches are straying from Christ. They think they can find Christ by themselves. And they are both right and wrong in that thinking. The churches they are at are probably straying from Christ, but the road to salvation is a long one and it cannot be traversed in solitude.

I agree with this, there are various reasons why people are leaving the church building, more and more people are going to home groups, where a possible more real Christ like, living out the Word can be done. In fact, there will be 1,000's of churches closing their doors this year, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. If those churches are not teaching truth and in doing so lead people away from Christ, they should be closed! It's not due to technology.

 

[Pard]

The internet is merely a magnifying glass that brings attention to a fact that people have been trying to cover up for decades now. Christianity is in a sorry state. I was listening to a sermon two days ago and the guy was saying how technology will be the end of Christianity. After listening to that sermon and than reading some of his garbage I concluded that its people like him will be the end of Christianity and he is merely searching for a scapegoat, because he knows it!

 

[Riverwolf]

In fact, there will be 1,000's of churches closing their doors this year, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. If those churches are not teaching truth and in doing so lead people away from Christ, they should be closed! It's not due to technology.

Is this something you have read about or an educated guess from what you have seen?

 

[Jake]

Is this something you have read about or an educated guess from what you have seen?

Definitely not an educated guess, I heard a pastor quote it from somewhere, but upon researching it last night for my post, I could not find it, but here is another website that talks about it. They say 1% of churches close each year or 3400. Here it is:
churches closing and pastors leaving » djchuang.com

 

[Mike]

But shouldn't we hold the believer responsible then and not technology? In a true believer's life, shouldn't we all be balanced, if we are truly seeking God we will be obedient to His gospel and not only fellowship with other believers, but we also read and study on our own and we go out and be His Body in the world? That if a person is so inclined to only learn and be stuck to his computer or other technology that person would have spiritual issues, right?

There has always been something causing addictions in humans or something else to make us turn away from God, we didn't blame those "things", so why blame technology for people's disobedience?

That's all I am saying.

I see your point, and I agree. If you inferred otherwise, I didn't make myself clear. Whether it's the internet, cell phones, TV, the radio... nothing is inherently evil in and of itself, but they can be abused. So, to your point, I don't see it as the fault of technology. I do see the 24/7 availability of information (true & untrue) as a pitfall that can take believers off track. Each person needs to be accountable for his own walk (Rom 14:10-12), but we are also accountable to our brothers and sisters in Christ. As Paul said in 1 Thes 5 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

My point was that if we fall prey to the inclination to barricade ourselves behind technology, we are not being the hands and feet that He Desires us to be. We don't go out into the world to serve others, and at the same time we can easily become disconnected and jaded. It seems to me, technology can be used for good, but there can be a point where even a good thing becomes too much. It can be a nice add-on to our walk, but we shouldn't depend on it.

 

[Vic C.]

I don't feel technology can ever make God's ekklesia obsolete. Nothing eternal can can be obsolete. :yes

But... there is an ever increasing obsession to usher technology into the church. :o It's a tool and even tools that are not properly used or maintained, can hurt you.

God first! Everything else, including the use of service-enhancing technology, must take a back seat.