Technology doesn’t replace relationships; every tech-savvy church administrator knows it supports them. It’s why grandparents FaceTime their grandkids and follow them on social media. Ignoring technology means you miss opportunities to connect with people in your church. Let that sink in. People are looking for what’s real and authentic. Sometimes it can seem that technology puts a barrier between people. But the truth is when technology is utilized fully. It actually provides incredible opportunities to make connections, inform, instruct, and communicate. We’ve pulled together some tech-savvy tips for church administrators to put into actionable steps.
First, you must determine the church admin tech problem/issue/need you are encountering. Technology shouldn’t be about the technology—it should be about the problem you are trying to solve. When you are clear on the benefits, finding and adopting the right technology will make sense across the board. Church admin tech tips can include, and are certainly not limited to, the following:
- Use church management software (ChMS) as much as possible.
- Develop online belonging and discipleship pathways for people to follow and to verify that no one has slipped through the cracks.
- Use online group discussion tools for team collaboration.
- Plan and post events in a shared calendar
- Obtain a church app that lets people engage with church life.
- Stream worship services, events, and small groups.
- Rework your website with your church mission front and center.
- Use a giving app for mobile giving.
- Let donors manage their giving profiles.
- Make recurring giving a high priority and promote it.
- Create giving campaigns and pledges for specific initiatives.
- Create videos and stories that show the impact of the church.
- Leverage a community analytics tool to identify evangelization and outreach opportunities.
- Leverage social media to reach an entirely new audience.
- Update your website to include information for visitors and events and outreach opportunities.
- Be open to exploring new technology, updates, and classes to equip and empower you, your staff, and your congregants.
Technology exists to find, nurture and empower – not detract from – real-life fellowship, worship, and growth. It is a great asset for ministry as technology allows you to delegate high-value and tedious detailed tasks. Growing churches are harnessing every bit of technology available to create accessibility to everything they offer and do. More than that, powerful management and communication tools are readily available to maximize the time of admin staff, volunteers, keep people in the loop, increase giving, and create pathways for discipleship and follow-up. Technology fills the gaps and connects people like never before. So let’s find more people to serve and be deliberate about serving them well.
Dean is ACS Technologies’ VP of Corporate Operations. He is responsible for Information Technology and all campus facilities. Born and raised in South Carolina, he has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems Management. He serves on the board and leadership for a few local non-profit organizations. His passions include helping others succeed.
