Technology in Protestant Ministry

Abstract

As Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) have entered homes and more, so Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) research has expanded to examine new motivations for coordination and communications. Recently this has grown to include a focus on religion. But, yet, while the uses of ICTs by practitioners of a variety of faiths have been examined, far less is known about how officials within religious institutions adopt, use and reject ICTs. In this paper, we report findings from a study of American Protestant Christian ministers' use of ICTs. We present findings and discuss the use of systems in church management, worship, pastoral care, and outreach, and the challenges in integrating ICTs into religious practice. Despite these difficulties, we found that ministers, chose to experiment with ICTs because of their ability to sustain, reinforce and grow their church (laity and ministry collectively) community.

Adoption and use of information and communication technologies by Pentecostal churches in Ibadan, Nigeria

“…For some years now, the religious application and implication of ICTs in worship have attracted a lot of attention (Campbell, 2005;Grinter et al, 2011;Hadaway, 2010;Helland, 2000;Hoover, 2006). The most critical reason identified for the awakening to the necessity of incorporating ICT use in churches is to cope with the realization that the social context has changed and churches must change with this social shift in order to keep their presentation of faith relevant.…”

“…ICTs have become a standard part of many churches worship services (Bolu, 2012;Crowley, 2007;Grinter et al, 2011) because worship services, which once relied primarily on oral communication, now rely on ICTs to create a multimedia experience. But despite the significant impact of ICTs on worship settings and other related religious activities, little is known about how churches and their congregations use them, especially in Nigeria.…”

“…One other characteristic of Pentecostalism is the large congregation. Pentecostal churches typically have congregations which are spread all over the world, big cathedrals that span over many hectares of land (Grinter et al, 2011). Gaiya (2002) mentions that one important attribute of the Pentecostal churches is their creativity, particularly in the use of ICTs to propagate the gospel.…”

“…There is also the need to focus on church ministers because, according to Grinter et al (2011), they occupy a unique and important place in the appropriation and rejection of ICTs. The majority of studies on ICTs and churches have focused on the congregation members.…”

Smartphone Guide Technology in Cultural Spaces: Measuring Visitor Experience with an iPhone Multimedia Guide in Shakespeare’s Church

“…A small number of studies have investigated the impact of interactive technologies in spiritual spaces such as churches, for example the use of technology by the minister in a church service (Grinter, Wyche, Hayes, and Harvel, 2011;Wyche, Hayes, Harvel, and Grinter, 2006). However, these studies focused on the use of technologies for religious practices, for example to improve pastoral care, the religious service, or the means of communication.…”