Technology Ministries Committee
Just last year I came across a staggering statistic. Two million people every day go “on-line” looking for spiritual resources. But maybe the most staggering thing about this statistic is that it is now wrong. The number is three million, a one million-person increase in less than a year. 3,000,000 people every day. That is a lot of 0’s and commas, but more importantly, it is a lot of people. Trying to pinpoint exactly what a “spiritual resource” is and how best we should make some available is a tricky question.
And it doesn’t end with the Internet. Technology can be used in so many ways to reach people with the good news that churches have to begin to use it. Christ commanded us to go to all nations, and that even means digital ones. Clergy is quick to point out, however, that it has neither the training nor the time to begin and continue a technological ministry. But there are people, probably in every congregation, who have both. People who would love to serve God in this way!
Purpose of the Committee
The Technology Ministries Committee shall exist to oversee, operate, and maintain the churches’ technological ministries.
Qualifications of Committee Members
This is a specialized committee and will be different, by definition, from other church committees or teams. The need for specific technical skills, and the availability of such among the congregation, should drive the rotation of this committee’s membership. While being involved in technology vocationally may not be necessary, it might be suggested. At minimum, the persons should have interest in and knowledge of specific technical skills, as required. It might be worth mentioning to the interested parties that this is probably a “low visibility” committee. One that fields a lot of complaints, and receives little glory. “Thick skin” might be a good qualification for a committee member, or potential one, to have.
Duties of the Committee
It would be impossible to make an exhaustive list here. Specific duties will obviously vary from church to church. Even which parts of the church’s ministry falls under the technology umbrella will be different based on the size and location of the church.
There are a few tasks that can be associated with this committee. Regardless of whether you include the sound and light responsibilities, or limit to just computer related facilities, some things will be consistent duties. These will be purposely vague as to apply to most any possible resources.
1. Study and recommend the purchase of new technologies. Decisions about price, warranty, and service for example, should be made by this committee. Allowances for growth in building and people should be taken into account and projected by the group also.
2. Operate the church’s technology and train others to do so.
3. Provide for the maintenance of the equipment that makes up the church’s technology.
4. Stay on top of necessary changes.
Several opinions are out there as to whether or not there ought to be a specific budget line item for which this committee is responsible. Many churches have taken computer money out of funds for everything from office supplies to worship needs. An itemized section in the budget really is a good idea. These are the people who best understand what this should cost, who better to oversee the spending of money used for this purpose?
Organization of the Committee
Again, there will be much variance here. Some churches that have had much success in this area have used an approach that has each member of the committee doing a specific task. One person is in charge of maintenance and upgrades, while another functions as a liaison to staff and congregation. It is an approach that makes sense, but more traditional committee methods can also work well.
Sticking to a standard mode of operation (like electing a chairperson) though perhaps not necessary, can give the new group more credibility. As far as numbers of members and that kind of thing, those really are things that need to be decided church by church.
The most common mistake, when putting a Technical Ministries Committee together, is picking people who just know technology. Yes, they must know technology, but they must also know the church. It is also very important that the committee understands that this is ministry!
Prepared by Shane Nixon.