Technology has become the standard in nearly every aspect of our lives. Our calling as believers to be in the world (even though we aren’t of the world) often leads us to embrace tech in our ministry efforts.
With over 93% of the US population using the internet in some capacity, churches must keep up or move over in a world that demands connectivity through technology.
Technology can reduce stress, save time and resources, and make ministry significantly easier if used properly.
But it can be just as easy to reduce productivity, make discipleship more challenging, and become overwhelmed by technology if you aren’t maximizing efficiency and prioritizing tools. Using too much tech or wasting time with ineffective systems can hinder church growth just as much as not embracing the digital age.
So, what can you do to ensure your ministry isn’t bogged down by things that are supposed to make life easier? You have to streamline your tech!
Step #1: Take Stock
To streamline your church technology, the first step is to assess your current solutions.
Look at every area of your ministry and compile a list of all of the systems, tools, and programs you have access to. Make sure to include any free programs (think Google Workspace, Canva, etc.) and anything that you might be paying for but aren’t using. Even if only one person uses a system for one specific task, add it to the list.
Work with other ministry leaders to make this list as comprehensive as possible. Include the tools you’re using for:
- Accounting and giving
- Check-in
- Praise and worship
- Communications
- Scheduling
- Volunteer management
- Attendance
- Livestreaming
- Small groups and Bible studies
- Event registration
- Website and social media
- Profiles and directories
- Background checks
As you’re putting together your tech inventory, include a brief description of how your ministry uses each tool (or how you intended to use it if it’s not being utilized). We’ll use this list in Step #2 to help determine your needs and in Step #3 to determine what programs best fit your church.
Step #2: Determine Your Needs
Now, let’s look closer at the catalog you put together in Step #1. In this step, you’ll also need the goals you’ve set for your ministry and any additional requirements that need to be considered (think stipulations for insurance or restrictions on facilities).
It will take some time, but work with the other leaders in your ministry to examine every tool you listed. Ask yourselves these questions to help determine the necessity of each one and what additional needs you may have:
- What do we use this tool for?
- What did we hope to accomplish when we purchased (or signed up for) this tool?
- Is this system essential for running our church?
- How many people are using this program?
- How difficult is it to use this solution or to teach others to use it?
- Is there a task or current pain point that could benefit from the tech we have or from new tech?
These questions (and any others that come from your discussions with other leaders) are intended to help you think critically about what your church actually needs out of its tech.
For example, if you only have 10 children in your kids’ ministry, paying for a check-in tool may add more of a headache than it’s worth. The inverse of this is also true. If you have a young congregation that wants to be able to give online, adding a solution that offers that capability could increase your finances exponentially.
You can’t find the right technology solutions for your ministry if you don’t know what you currently have and what you truly need.
Step #3: Find the Right Tech
It is entirely possible that the solutions you’re already using are the best options for your church.
It’s also possible that some of what you’re using is the right fit, while some are redundant or less than helpful. Knowing how and why you use each piece of the tech currently in your inventory will help you determine if and where you can consolidate tools or improve processes.
You may also need a new system if your current programs are outdated, difficult to use, or just not functionally appropriate for your ministry.
To help identify areas where you can streamline your current systems, add new solutions, and ultimately increase efficiency, ask these questions:
- Is this tool an effective way to manage the task we’re using it for?
- Does this program help us save time or resources by simplifying a task or making the task more manageable?
- Are we using multiple programs to manage the same task?
- Do we have various tools that have overlapping functionality (i.e., do you have two different systems that do the same thing even if you aren’t currently using both for that task)?
- Is this solution difficult to use or more expensive than our budget allows?
- Have we researched other tools that do the same task(s) and compared their efficiency and price to find the best one?
- Are we using multiple solutions across our whole ministry when we could be using a single option that meets all of our needs?
The ultimate goal when integrating tech into your ministry is to make it work for you rather than allowing it to become a hindrance to the spread of the Gospel.
So whether you take advantage of an all-in-one solution like Realm that helps you do everything from accounting to attendance and beyond, or you utilize a conglomeration of tools, don’t let your tech distract from fulfilling your mission. Look carefully at your current systems, determine your needs, and find the right fit to help your church grow and thrive in the technology era.
ACS Technologies
ACS Technologies sets a new standard in church technology, offering a holistic suite of solutions that streamline administrative tasks and empower your staff to excel in their roles and your church to excel in your community.
In the ever-evolving landscape of church engagement and management, ACS Technologies rises above the rest. Our comprehensive church solutions, bespoke digital offerings, streamlined communication tools, comprehensive ministry consulting, and training make us the trusted choice for over fifty thousand churches. Experience the ACS Technologies advantage and elevate your church’s online presence, connectivity, and generosity today. Join us in redefining church technology for the digital age, where your ministry’s success becomes our shared mission.
