Fusion of Religion and Technology
The pulpit is no longer the only platform for spreading the word of God to Christians. Many pastors take advantage of modern technology in order to reach out to other followers. It’s common practice for a small congregation to have a professional website that provides people with a variety of resources. For example, virtual calendars can be posted in order to inform members of weekly services and other special events that might go on.
Church leaders also utilize mobile technology to stay connected to followers. For instance, text messages can be sent out to all individuals who have chosen to receive reminders about Sunday service, special ceremonies and other select gatherings. Taken to another level, some pastors might even join forces with IT programmers who can develop custom mobile apps. Each day, a passage from the bible can pop up on smartphones and tablets that have downloaded applications designed and developed by church leaders.
Thanks to mobile technology, people can stay connected to their church remotely. For example, it is possible to watch live webcasts of a sermon or routine service that’s held in a church. If a person is disabled or temporary ill, he or she can conveniently enjoy virtual broadcasts of a local pastor. Similarly, people can follow their congregation while being away on vacation or business trip. A pastor such as Ed Young Jr. and other Christian preachers are examples of religious leaders who use the Internet to connect with followers.
Carrying a Bible to public school or workplace may seem a bit odd in today’s high tech fast-paced world. Pastors might encourage their followers to download digital copies of specific Bible texts, including Old and New Testaments. The religious scripture can be conveniently downloaded onto a tablet, smartphone, e-book reader, laptop or desktop computer. Whether at home or on the go, people can read biblical scripture. Additionally, digital versions might come with useful tools that provide interpretations and other resources for truly understanding the context of passages in the Bible.
In addition to virtual expansion, Christian congregations should also focus on expanding their physical presence in specific communities. It’s common for major cities to have multiple places of worship for a single congregation. Taken to another level, some ambitious pastors believe in national and international expansion. Such religious leaders might use effective business models of chain stores and restaurants in order to spread the word of God to Christians worldwide.
High profile Christian leaders often make guest appearances on mainstream media outlets such as talk shows and news programs. Such platforms allow pastors to reach out to potential new followers. Additionally, television shows give members of the church opportunities to clarify misconceptions and rumors about particular denominations of Christianity.
In a global age, it’s also important for American pastors to establish solid relations with leaders from other faiths. For example, church leaders should befriend Rabbis and Muslim clerics in the local community. Pastors might also rally church members to provide financial support to members of the military and other personnel who are directly involved in religious based confrontations such as in the Middle East.
