Website Industry

We started in business in 1994 serving churches and ministries with graphics and printing. During this time I noticed new technologies were emerging. I got my first modem and email account around ’96. Things were so primitive back then that it was hard to imagine the internet being anything more than a novelty. In 1999 I remember checking my email once per day in the morning and being excited if I heard the AOL greeting “You’ve got mail”.

From 2000 to 2002 I watched the website industry and contemplated whether or not we should enter it. I must admit that back then I was still wondering if it was just a fad. I also wondered if it would be something useful for churches and ministries, which were our main clients. I pondered this question from 2000 to 2002 before making the decision to move forward in this new technology. Needless to say it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Looking back on it all its kind of humorous especially considering how big the website industry is now. But I learned one important lesson. Always bet on and embrace new technology.

Now that computers, mobile devices and best website technology have advanced in so many remarkable ways, the Church is at a place where it can truly begin to do some amazing things to advance the Kingdom of God if it understands and embraces technology. Although the principles of the Word of God and our overall mission never change, yet the methods by which we execute the mission do and must change based upon the current landscape and tools at our disposal.

I am absolutely convinced that God expects the church to utilize the technologies that He has made available. He has made these things available for the advancement of His Kingdom. It is critical that you renew your mind to that concept.

But I do more than thank. I ask–ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory–to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him–endless energy, boundless strength! All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. (Ephesians 1:17-23 -MSG)

Technology is not an accident. It is part of the divine will and plan of God. It is his plan that the church be wise stewards by utilizing the available technology to advance the Kingdom. To fail to do this is to be an unprofitable and unwise steward. And if you are familiar with the parable of the talents (Matt. 25.14-30 ) you understand how God feels about unprofitable stewards.

Nevertheless I encounter pastors and ministry leaders all the time that have not embraced technology. The main reason for this is that they are somewhat intimidated by technology. Because they are intimidated by it, they tend to shy away from it. This is also something that can and must be overcome. And the good news is that it is not hard to overcome this when you understand a few basic principles.