Wired for Ministry

For a class that I am currently taking, I was required to read a book called Wired for Ministry by John P. Jewell. While, I admit that I did not read the entire book, I did read enough of it to recommend it to anyone who wants to consider the ramifications of using technology in a ministry setting.

This book helps you to evaluate the different ways that your church is using technology by asking the right questions. Technology can be used to strengthen, encourage, and build up the Body of Christ, or it can tear down relationships through impersonal communication. As far as this relates to your church web site, the information that you post can be sending many messages about the church that you may not realize. For instance, if you post a picture of your church building on the homepage, someone could think that the building is the most important part of your faith. Or if the website is rarely updated, then it could send the message that nothing is going on ever at the church. While these examples may seem silly, they could not be further from the truth. Technology has the potential to do many wonderful things for ministry, but with that potential comes many great dangers. I would like to encourage any church to read Wired for Ministry before begining a website, installing a wireless network in the church, or using powerpoint in a worship service.