8 Questions Church Ministries Should Be Asking About Digital Technology

As much as we talk about Church Online, it's only the tip of the iceberg surround church and technology. And while I love the idea of churches doing ministry online, there are currently opportunities for churches to utilize technology to complement the ministry at the physical church locations.

So, let's get the conversation started. How can digital/technology complement our existing ministry at physical locations? How can technology be used in our ultimate attempt to create disciples.

1) Kids spend on average 28-32 hours a week watching TV. If your kids are like mine, they're often watching the same thing over and over. (At my house it's Phineas & Ferb  or  Dog With A Blog.) How can Kid Min utilize technology to impact kids? cause I'd rather them be impacted through discipleship instead of a funny, albeit stupid, talking dog!

2) While Church Online is a great evangelical tool reaching and impacting new people for Christ, there's some challenges with outward facing Church Online reaching, or "targeting" new kids online.  Who is the target ministry of Church Online's Kid's Ministry? How would Kids Church Online fit within your existing Kid's Ministry?

3) National media is reporting: teens today are lonely , largely in context to their use, borderline addiction to social media/technology. What does Biblical Community look like for teenagers? How can physical interaction and digital technology unite to create Biblical Community for students?

4) Today's teens aren't addicted to technology. It's an extension of themselves.  Is your church comfortable utilizing technology to speak the language of Gen Z? How can your church utilize technology to disciple students?

5) Small is the new big, and Church Online  has seen success  creating Online Small Groups. But physical churches are seeing success, too , through Online Small Groups as Biblical Community is becoming easier to create through digital technology. What are the benefits of your local church running Online Small Groups through your physical church location?

6) Church services "typically" last one hour a week, with small groups averaging another hour. Physical church has access to people 2-3 hours a week. 92% of millennials today have smartphones , giving your church access to millennials 168 hours a week. How can your church use technology to create disciples? In today's digital age, what's the difference between creating a consumer, and creating a disciple?

7) Each week, the majority of connections in Ministry happen in your church's lobby. For Church Online, where is your church's lobby? How can Guest Services connect people online into Community, into Ministry, each week?

8) Pastor, you have a major platform to impact people each and every week from the pulpit. You have an equal, if not greater, opportunity to impact people digitally throughout the week. Email, Social Media, Live Broadcasts, YouTube, Podcasting... these just scratch the surface. This isn't just sermon archive. How can you connect with people each week via technology? How can your church follow Jesus' commands to create disciples?