Christians have been using technology from the beginning.  We were among the first to employ scribes to repeatedly copy the Bible.  We were among the very first to use the printing press and later the radio. Our missionary organizations have been using airplanes for decades.  And most churches I visit use copiers, projectors, the internet, and have some awesome sound, lighting, and video capabilities.

I hate to admit this, for fear that my kids will read it and it will be one more bit of evidence for them that their dad is hopelessly ancient, but I began my public ministry at the very beginning of the home-and-business personal computer era.  My first computer was a “Commodore 64” (anyone remember those?) and I wrote some papers on it at seminary, to the disgust of most of the professors at the time.  I introduced my first church to an office computer (what do we need one of those for?) and we made the transition from using the typewriter, whiteout, and a light board to designing the weekly bulletin on a computer.  Projecting the words to the songs, however, was somewhat less than satisfactory using an overhead projector, but we adopted that technology and years later added a quality projector and a screen.

Two weeks ago, I used technology in a brand new way.  I performed a wedding ceremony in Paris–the one in France–and I did so without leaving my office in Avondale.  We met and they signed the license before they left for France.  Then at the pre-arranged time, they called me on their IPhone and we used Facetime to do their wedding.  I could see them and they could see me.  It was awkward at first (I’m new to Facetiime), but now a very nice couple is married and their pastor had the privilige of joining them.

Still, though, I often come face-to-face with someone who doesn’t want to computerize and who doesn’t want the church to use technology.  They remind me (though I am already well aware of it) that technology can be used for evil purposes.  A casual glance at many movies and Facebook posts will convince anyone that evil can spread much more rapidly in today’s technological society.

But so can God’s Word and God’s work!

Already, the changes have been significant.  On a typical Sunday morning, I cee many people reading their Bibles on tablets and cell phones.  I use online and digital Bibles far more than I use printed ones.  And more changes will be coming.  Many churches routinely stream worship services, use Skype and Facetime for classes and prayer meetings, and they keep their best classes online in video form.

Let’s not resist, but continue to do what churches have done since the beginning–use every available means to communicate!