Myths about using technology?
1. "If you build it, they will come.“ or “if you use technology, they will _____”
2. "It doesn't cost anything.“
3. "Only the younger generation uses social networking.“
4. "Technology could replace real-life relationships."

Why use technology? (quotes I have collected over the years)

• “We should use whatever God has given us to share Jesus Christ with as many people as possible.”
• “Enables you to communicate to a larger group of people and helps them see and experience things they could not or have not.”
• Using technology shows your concern to be relevant and people see relevance as not “out of date.”
• Not everyone breathes this technological air. Some people are NOT and WILL NEVER be comfortable interacting through technologies such as Facebook or Twitter. The best use of technology is built upon the understanding that technological realities are not simply a means and a method, but for many people, it is a way of living and being.

Internet Statistics

• 90% of people who visit your church go to your website first
• 30% of the world population is online
• 40% of the world population has never heard of the good news of Jesus Christ
• Google announced on 7/25/2008 that it had indexed over 1,000,000,000,000 (Trillion) different web URL's
• 16.8 billion online streaming videos “watched” in the US during April 09: nearly 152 million U.S. Internet users watched an average 111 videos each.

What do you communicate with your use of technology?

• Out-of-date or poor choice of graphics = out-of-touch with reality or just lazy
• Out-of-date content = content that is not important
• Dysfunctional technology = lack of interest in the details

Problem:
1. Technology can be overwhelming
2. Try to do everything at once
3. Comparing yourself to other churches and how they use technology
4. Try to be ahead of the technology curve - GREAT article: Is the Church Obsessed with ‘Next’?

Solution:
Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you (Judah) said, 'We will not walk in it.’
The Book of Jeremiah records the final prophecies to Judah, warning of oncoming destruction if the nation does not repent. Jeremiah calls out for the nation to turn back to God. At the same time, Jeremiah recognizes the inevitability of Judah’s destruction due to its unrepentant idolatry and immorality.

Application of Jeremiah 6:16 – we need to take time to evaluate our ministry/church and ask what are the ancient truths that must be proclaimed and not be changed - “ask for the ancient paths”. Then need to get help in examining proven technology tools that work and implement them in our community of ministry - “ask where the good way is”. Ignoring the proven good ways of technology could lead to not being as effective in ministry in our culture today. Technology is a tool, and can be used for good, so “walk in it”.
More Solution:

• Be an example to believers Titus 2:7 In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works (or in technology)
• Find the balance of using technology to connect to people and develop real relationships.
• Budget money to invest in technology
• Invest time on website update
• Partner with techPartner to help with current needs in the tech world and ministry.