Communication Technology in Today’s Church

Communication Technology in Today’s Church

Communication technology in religious environments has changed throughout the years to improve how the "Good News" is received and retained. The traditional format of speaking directly to an actual audience has changed to include sermons viewed online, satellite locations and other technological communication style adjustments to reach across multiple generations. Technology has assisted churches to effectively communicate the gospel and offer more avenues of sharing the message internationally and in private settings. Numerous churches operate without advance communication technology. The use of technology in religious settings has advantages and disadvantages. To engage younger generations, churches may need to diversity their technology, but yet not in excess of losing the older generation. The challenge for churches is to combine traditional and advance technological communication styles to influence people of all ages.

Traditionally, spreading the gospel consists of one person speaking to a crowd. The bible states, Jesus sits on the mountain side, among the disciples and believers to present the beatitudes. No option to use microphones and sound systems to increase the volume of the spoken word and no screens with videos streaming live of him speaking. Jesus sits with group, teaching, and the crowd absorbing the lesson. Today this method is rarely used and essentially obsolete in churches. Smaller churches use at least the minimum of a microphone and sound system. Larger churches may include more up-to-date equipment, such as LCD projection video on multiple screens throughout the building.

Religious communication outside of the church building began with radio. Radio technology improvements, inspired by the telephone in the 1920's, developed opportunities for religious programs to begin broadcasting (LDS Newsroom, 2009). During the 1960's religious programming expanded from radio to television networking. The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), the first of the 30 plus faith-based television stations presently broadcasting to reach millions world-wide. The History of Turner Microphones article stated the Catholic Church incorporated mics during the 1960's; when it replaced Latin with the English language. The increasing need for an amplified sound in the church, helped save the company from closing down (Moss, 2002).

Technology in the church revolutionized before 1970, beginning with radio, microphones, and later television. The advancement of equipment, tools and knowledge has allowed religious community to expand services to broadcast live events online as an alternative to attending church services, listening or viewing a pre-recorded program. Some mega-churches use a live streaming method to reach the masses. Worship centers, like The Potter's House Church and Lakewood Church both have made