Posted by Staff

How do you utilize technology without taking away from relationship? We’ve found this question intriguing because of the range of responses it creates. While some see opportunity to connect, others get very nervous. Some cite the increase in email, sms, and social networks as the cause of relational disconnection, and they have some good points.

The question is important because these technologies are not going away. Not only that, they are continuing to innovate and improve. In our churches, we’re put in the position of asking ourselves how we’re going to approach technology. 

Certainly, there’s a good social use for technology, right? Regardless of the technology, what we’re mainly talking about here is human adaptation to new technology. In other words, the technology itself isn’t inherently good or bad, it’s the way we interact with and utilize it that matters. That is more a question of change than technology.

We all know the early-adopter who embraces technological change. While there’s a range of reasons for this, whether opportunistic curiosity, educational, or to simply grab the early-adopter “cool” badge, Pastor Mark says “the point of technology is not (to be) cool, it is community. If you don’t have real community then technology actually doesn’t help build it.” 

Whether you agree with him or not, how do you utilize technology to help community grow closer, deeper, more vibrant?

Full video of our conversation with Pastor Mark Driscoll and Pastor Jeff VanderStelt here.