As life becomes more high-tech and Internet-based, churches all across America and around the world are discovering they also have the ability to send their message far and wide by electronic means. The average person in the year 2008 is very familiar with technology and expects technology in every area of life, including church services. With recent news that you can now confess your sins online, it is apparent almost everything is available on the Internet. More and more churches are taking advantage of this technology as they endeavor to reach the masses.
What about Apostolic churches? Are they taking advantage of the same technology? The Apostolic Report recently surveyed several hundred Apostolic churches around the world. We have received completed surveys from over 70 Apostolic churches in several different organizations. The congregations varied from small home mission works, with only a few people, to larger churches with over 1,000 members.
In the survey, we asked how the Internet and other forms of technology are being used in their churches. The answers varied, but one thing is for sure: Apostolic churches are taking advantage of several forms of modern technology.
Full poll results are published at the end of this article.
Websites:
86% of responding churches have a website, while only 10% do not. Many that did not have a website plan to start one in the near future. There was a wide range of responses to the question, “What percentage of the church uses the website?” Many churches use their website as an evangelistic advertising tool, rather than gearing the website towards members. A growing portion of Apostolic churches seem to be taking advantage of the Internet to stream audio or video of their services. 34% of respondents do not offer any audio or video streaming of their services.
Multimedia in the Auditorium:
An overwhelming 84% of respondents use some type of projector in the sanctuary. 76% use a modern digital projector, while 8% use an overhead projector. The uses for the projector include typical songs, sermons, and scriptures, but many churches are getting creative. Some report displaying a countdown clock until service start time. A few assemblies reported using video projection to view recorded services from conferences and special meetings.
Media Recording:
Not surprisingly, the majority of churches have now switched to CD recording and duplication. In fact, only 4% still record to cassette tapes only. Of those who sell both tapes and CD’s, they reported that the vast majority only buy CD’s. Most churches have completely canceled the recording of analog tapes. In fact, we had a couple offers to buy their tape duplicators! Several churches mentioned that they record and distribute their sermons via MP3 files.
Other:
Over half of the churches have a high speed internet connection in the church. 20% of pastors reported regular or occasional use of a laptop or tablet PC to minister from, as opposed to using traditional notes.
Conclusion:
A majority of Apostolic churches are developing technological infrastructures, utilizing multimedia technologies to evangelize and enhance traditional worship. The ubiquity of media technologies in everyday life is prompting the Church to carefully consider appropriate uses of technology as a vehicle for disseminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for providing visitors and church members with advanced and diverse access to services and content.
While technology is not a replacement for anointed preaching or Spirit-filled worship, it can serve to strengthen, capture, and disseminate the Apostolic message.
Survey results:
- Are you UPC, Independent, or a member of another organization?
UPCI 70%
Independent 14%
WPF 10%
ALJC 4%
Other 1%
- Does your church have more than or fewer than 150 members?
Under 150 66%
Over 150 27%
Unknown 7%
- Does your church have a website?
Yes 86%
No 10%
Not Yet 4%
- What percentage of your church uses the website?
19% estimated 20 – 40% used the website
18% estimated 40 – 60% used the website
18% were unsure or did not have have a website
15% estimated 60 – 80% used the website
12% estimated 10 – 20% used the website
8% estimated 0 – 10% used the website
5% estimated 80 – 90% used the website
4% estimated 90 – 100% used the website
- As a pastor, do you have a pastor’s page or blog?
No 66%
Yes 32%
Other 2%
- Does the website offer any streaming audio, video, or podcasting?
None 34%
Audio 24%
Note yet, but we plan to 14%
Video 8%
Other or no website 11%
Podcasting 6%
Other 3%
What is podcasting? 2%
- Does the website have an online calendar of events?
Yes 61%
No 27%
Other or no website 12%
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Does your church have a projector in the sanctuary?
Yes 76%
No 13%
Yes, overhead type 8%
Other 3%
- What do you display on the projector?
Songs 77%
Sermons 66%
Scripture 64%
Announcements 49%
Slideshows 45%
Video 36%
Prayer Requests 23%
- Do you record your services onto tapes or CDs?
CDs Only 49%
Neither 15%
Other (MP3) 15%
Tapes and CDs 14%
Tapes Only 6%
- What percentage of your church buys CDs as compared to cassette tapes?
44% said that 100% of church members buy CDs
8% said 90% of church members buy CDs
8% said 50% or less of church members buy CDs
6% said 80% of church members buy CDs
- Does your Church have a High Speed Internet Connection?
Yes 58%
No 39%
Other 3%
- Do you use a laptop or tablet pc to minister from?
No 68%
Laptop 22%
Other 6%
Tablet PC 4%
- Has any of the above uses of technology ever upset or offended any members of your church?
No 89%
Yes 8%
Other 3%
Click Here to view full survey results in a PDF file.
(Right click on link and choose “save target as” to save to your computer)
