Technology Use Growing Rapidly in Churches
The Barna Group reported that a majority of Protestant churches now have Web sites, use large-screen projections in service, and send e-mail ''blasts'' to their congregation.
A new study reveals "serious" double-digit growth in church use of technology.
The Barna Group reported that a majority of Protestant churches now have Web sites, use large-screen projections in service, and send e-mail “blasts” to their congregation. Meanwhile, more churches are using satellite broadcasting technology and electronic fund transfer for tithing, though they are a minority.
More than half of all Protestant churches have a Web site, 57 percent, up from 33 percent in 2000. More than 60 percent of churches are using projectors, 61 percent use video in worship, and 58 percent of white congregations use email blasting.
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George Barna, who directed the study, noted that the wider acceptance of these technologies has triggered other ministry trends, such as multi-campus churches. He forecasts that the use of Internet technology will only increase in the next five years.
"During the next half of this decade,” he commented, “we expect increased broadband access, podcasting, and ubiquitous adoption of handheld mobile computing devices by consumers to further alter the way churches conduct ministry."
Satellite broadcasting remains underused. It grew by only one percent – from seven to eight percent of churches. Growth has been more significant in Northeast.
For the most part, the greatest increase has been among mainline Protestant churches, ministries in the South, churches pastored by Baby Boomers, churches in the West, churches with large congregations, and churches with primarily white congregants.
