How can the Church respond to a tech-driven generation?
It may surprise you that church attendance in the UK is at a record low of under 800,000, according to studies released earlier this year on the Church of England. At the same time, roughly one-third of UK smartphone owners log on to the app Snapchat each month to send disappearing photos to friends while over 10 million (that's nearly one-sixth of the population) use the photo-sharing app, Instagram.
It would seem that whilst church attendance is declining, the use of technology is increasing ten-fold. Therefore, if the local church is to remain relevant to the next generation, it is essential that we start asking questions about the appeal of technology and how the church can respond.
The blessing and curse of technology
Technology, like all good things, can be a mixed blessing. Whilst communication is faster than ever, we are also living in one of the most isolated generations we have ever seen. Depression is reported to affect an average of one in four people, and one in ten if you are under 15 years old.
Despite being more connected, we are lonely.
You may ask, how can you feel lonely with so many social apps?! It would seem that the affect of social media can actually be negative. After viewing Facebook, a study reported users came away from their time online feeling more depressed than before. 'The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting Facebook can heighten feelings of depression, loneliness and jealousy.'
So while social media may not be as 'social' as we imagine, these apps are very much part of the world we live in, and the lives of those the church has to engage with.
Why is Church in a unique position to respond?
If the problem is loneliness, the Church does indeed offer the solution. In Christ we find relationship with our Father, and in the Church we find relationship with our community. When we know we are accepted as heirs with Jesus, and loved by our brothers and sisters in Christ, loneliness can find its place diminishing in our lives.
Depression and loneliness are complex issues. However, in part the church can offer an alternative outlook on what it means to be accepted, and ultimately, known. Additionally, by engaging with the core issue of loneliness, we do not need to reject technology, but rather look to use these new platforms to engage and meet our communities just where they are.
So what can the Church do?
Depending on your community, the response will work itself out differently. However, here are three things that can help:
1. Understand the basics of technology
We're not all experts, but it is useful to get an overview of the tech and apps that are in use. The quickest way to do this is to ask any teenager you may know. Maybe ask a few and then ask what their friends use too. You can also read around some useful blogs.
2. Be active on social media
Again, you don't need to be tied to tech to engage with your community by social media. Whether this simply means having a church Instagram account, or a Twitter account, or Facebook page, this can actually help people become involved with your church. It's best to concentrate first on one social media platform and post regularly to it. Engaging with your followers there is preferable than to trying to be active on all social media. Think about your congregation. Post things that are relevant to their everyday lives. Interact with them when they update their statuses, and you will find that you will naturally reach others.
Nearly 2000 years ago James had these wise words: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” This is just as true on social media. By listening on social media, you can gain valuable insights about your community and your congregation and so be able to respond in a way that is helpful to them. But it all starts with intentional listening.
3. Help people find you online
We want all churches to be able to be accessible to this generation. For this to happen technology cannot be ignored. A mobile-friendly church website with your contact details is absolutely vital. Here at ChurchPages, this is our particular passion and we feel blessed to be able to support churches in this way. So, should you have any questions about this, don't hesitate to get in touch.
References:
https://www.ft.com/content/f781b74c-243f-11e6-9d4d-c11776a5124d
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/17/facebook-study_n_5595890.html