One of the biggest challenges church leadership faces when adopting new software is getting people on board with the decision—and doing it in a healthy way. Adopting new technology can be exciting, but it can also lead to a lot of questions and concerns among members, staff, and volunteers.
So how can pastors and church leaders champion healthy technology adoption? Here are a few key ways you can make that happen in your congregation.
Guide Change
Pastors and church leaders are responsible for guiding change at an organizational level for staff, volunteers, and members. When adopting new technology, this is doubly important, as it can be a difficult transition for many people.
Learning a new software, navigating a new website, or downloading a new app can be intimidating for some, so it’s important for church leadership to explain the reasoning behind these changes. Transparency and patience go a long way!
Manage Expectations
Whenever shiny new technology is adopted, people may have unrealistic expectations about what will happen after it’s implemented. They might expect that you’ll suddenly have a huge influx of new members, a perfect rollout, or that it will epically fail.
Whether the expectations are positive or negative, it’s your job as a pastor or church leader to manage expectations from the beginning. Remind everyone that the rollout of your new technology won’t be perfect; there will be glitches, errors, and bugs to work through. It takes time for everyone to adopt and get used to using new software.
On the flip side, you also need to manage the expectations that this new technology will solve all of your ministry problems and result in thousands of people walking through your doors. The truth is that new technology can certainly bring many benefits to your ministry, but it won’t change things overnight. Managing that expectation is important.
Choose Champions
As you prepare to champion healthy technology adoption, it can be beneficial to have a team of people who are championing alongside you, whether staff or volunteers. You shouldn’t view this as sneakily trying to convince people this technology is needed; rather, it’s an opportunity for people who are invested in this project to share their view on why it’s needed, how it will help, and to answer questions people may have.
Reinforce Positive Culture
It’s up to the pastors and leaders to set an example and reinforce positive culture surrounding technology. Technology is not the end all be all of your ministry, and it shouldn’t be something you prioritize over Word and Sacrament ministry. So while you might be prioritizing adopting a new software in this season, it’s important to remind your people that technology is a means to an end in ministry.
It’s also up to you as a leader to set healthy boundaries with technology, especially amongst your staff. Leadership sets the tone for boundaries—through both your words and actions. For example, if you adopt a new instant messaging software, encourage your staff to turn off notifications after work hours. But you as the leader should respect those boundaries you recommend and avoid messaging staff after hours. Instead, if you choose to work late at night, schedule your messages or emails to be sent the next morning at 8:00 a.m. so that your staff isn’t tempted to respond just because you’re online.
Creating a positive culture around technology certainly isn’t easy, but it’s worth it to prevent staff and volunteer burnout. Don’t neglect this when it comes to adopting technology in a healthy manner.
Offer Training
One of the best things you can do when you adopt a new technology in a healthy way is offer extensive training for both your staff and your members. Offering multiple opportunities for people to learn about the technology, why you’re adopting it, and how they can use it effectively for their own purpose helps alleviate any worries they might have and prepares them to incorporate it into their own routines.
If you forgo training and leave people to their own devices, it will likely result in confusion, potential misuse of the software, and hesitancy from members to fully adopt the software.
As a leader, you should also be open to individual chats to answer questions and share insights. Doing this in a one-on-one manner can be more comfortable for some people. It can also give you space to explain your decision-making in a closer manner.
Leading the Way
When it comes to championing healthy technology adoption in the church, it really is up to pastors and leaders to lead the way. But worry not; this is not an impossible task! It just takes intentionality, patience, and transparency.
Concordia Technology Solutions is with you on your technology journey. Try a free month of Church360° Members to get a feel for how it can benefit your team!
