Some might ask, “Why do we need IT in the Church?” Isn’t the Church about people, not information technology? Yes, the focus of the Church is on the salvation of people’s souls. But in order to believe, they have to first hear the Gospel message (ROM 10:14). In the Apostle Paul’s day, the Pax Romana sped the Gospel message around the world. In the 21st Century, it is the Internet that is speeding the Gospel message around the world. The Church needs to take advantage of every resource that it has available, especially technology, in communicating the Gospel.

Some might respond that IT is all well and good, but it is just too expensive. You can quickly spend a lot on IT equipment – money that could be better spent feeding the poor. By the same reasoning, you could argue that instead of a building program, the Church should spend the capitol campaign funds on helping the homeless. Jesus noted that “the poor you will always have with you” MAT 26:11. It is the Church building that enables ministry in a community. So it is with the technology; it enables the Church to communicate the Gospel message clearly in a world of lost souls. And the challenge has never been greater. The Church has to find ways to communicate that rise above the background noise of the culture, so that the Gospel is heard and disseminated. And just as a large Church needs a budget for taking care of its buildings, so it needs a budget for spending money on IT. As John Brandon of Christianity Today put it:

For most churches, Information Technology (IT) is a critical part of ministry. Computers that function correctly, a website that looks professional, and a backup process for sermon notes all help the staff do ministry more effectively, communicate with the congregation, and focus on building relationships.

Giving Tech Its Due posted 3/3/2010.

So the leaders of the Church need to provide funds for IT development, just as they would for keeping the lights on. There needs to be clearly established goals for this, and an appropriate level of priority. In so doing the wise Church will run its ministry to the fullest measure in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. And in the end, that will save money while getting the message out to more people.