I really don’t remember when computer-related topics became popular for church meetings, but over the years I have gone to a lot of workshops designed to teach pastors and lay leaders how to be more effective in their work through the use of computers. Back in the 1980’s we were looking at the use of computers primarily for word processing and page layout. A few database programs were becoming available for tracking membership and giving and other church management functions, but they were expensive and we hadn’t developed sufficient backup systems to make them fully reliable. When we began to computerize those records in the congregation I was serving we kept our paper records alongside our computer “just in case” for an entire year and then began to make monthly print-outs and keep them in a binder as a way to keep from losing our information when the machines broke down. Our first computerized address lists, from which we created labels for mailing things through the U.S. mail, was self-designed and customized for our operation.

These days the use of computers for many office functions is assumed. When I came to this congregation twenty years ago, there were a couple of computers that were used for a variety of functions. Over the years, we have created a network, added our copy machine as our primary printer, installed a server drive with an off-site backup and installed wireless routers to serve our entire building. In terms of the latest, we’re a ways behind the curve, but most of our employees use computers in their work and have access to our servers. We even have a very reliable cloud-based data system that allows our accountants and key personnel to access our database from any computer in any location. It can be a bit spooky to be alone in the building and have the copier begin to print documents for a meeting that have been ordered by someone who is working in a different location.

In recent years, the workshops at church meetings have focused on social networks and the use of networks to reach beyond the walls of the church and engage people in ministry in a variety of different settings. The ramifications of this are a bit mind-boggling to an old school church person like myself. I’ve visited with a pastor who has a “virtual congregation” of nearly 200 people all around the world who participate by computer. There are regular podcasts of worship services, put together in an office and beamed across the Internet to the “faithful.” The system has a web page with a “click to donate” button that provides income to support the project. People who never or rarely set foot inside of a regular church participate in worship with others they have never met face to face. There are online classes and various chat options for members to meet and greet one another and to socialize.

Facebook pages for congregations are virtually required these days and some congregations create multiple Facebook pages for different small groups. LinkedIn is actually growing faster than Facebook at the present and is now the second-largest social network. Although Linkedin is supposed for focus on professional networks and job seeking, it is filled with theological forums, groups and opportunities to discuss religion and religious issues.

There is a whole world of networking in few words such as Twitter and Instagram. There are specialized networks such as Caringbridge for persons experiencing a serious health event and recovery, WriteAPrisoner for those who are incarcerated and their families, and ParentsLikeMe for parents seeking support for their particular stage in life.

It is becoming more and more common for churches to make social networking a job responsibility of one of their employees. Most large public service organizations such as police and fire departments have someone who is in charge of their social media. I can understand this because all of these networks consume a lot of my time, and I sometimes fear it threatens face-to-face ministry. Recently, I was deeply involved in the crisis of a family that centered at the pediatric intensive care unit of the hospital. I was making multiple visits each day and providing a variety of different supports for the family. One of the people who works in our office discovered that there was a facebook page dedicated to the situation and sent me the link. I started to look at the page and was considering how I might add a prayer or other resources, but realized that what I really needed to do was pray with the family and invest my time in direct contact, even though there were multiple family members engaged with smartphones and tablet computers while they were in the hospital waiting room.

Perhaps for some people virtual reality seems more real than what I call reality, but I don’t know how to do my job without the occasional touch. We touch when we baptize. We touch when we anoint with oil. We hug people who are in need and place a hand on a shoulder to comfort. The tactile, face-to-face interaction of caring for others is intrinsic to the work I do. I don’t know how to convey tone of voice in an e-mail message. I’m no master of emoticons. I do, however, know quite a bit about recognizing emotions that people may not be aware of. I can sense the mood of a room. I can differentiate between anger and pain when I can see someone’s face.

I’m sure that technology will continue to be a big part of the operation of churches in the future. Already there are congregations where people are used to looking at screens and projections in place of people. There are some people who claim that all of the technology enables them to engage more senses and emotions than a direct relationship with others.

I don’t quite get it. There is nothing more multi sensory than paddling on the lake on a cold spring morning. I can hear the swish of the water, the crackle of the ice on my spray skirt and the cackling of the geese. I can feel the chill of the air and breathe in the mist rising from the water. I can smell the must of the marshes and the pine scent from the hillside. I can taste the saltiness of my own sweat and feel the stretch of my muscles. I know I am alive and engaged with my world.

I don’t need the latest technology to encounter my world.

So don’t expect me to stay on the cutting edge. I’m not exactly a luddite, but I’m confident that there is enough real ministry needed in this world to last my lifetime. I’ll leave the virtual pastoring to others.

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