Faith in the Digital Age: How Technology is Shaping the Practice of Faith

Want to read the Bible, pray, fast, or attend church more regularly? There’s an app for that.

While church attendance has held remarkably steady since the start of the pandemic (about 40%), in-person worship is now far from the only way for believers to strengthen their faith.

According to the latest data from Pew Research Center:

• 27% of U.S. adults watch sermons online.
• 21% use Bible study apps or websites to read the Bible or other religious scriptures.
• 30% report going online to search for faith-based information.
• 20% watch faith-based online videos (not including sermons).
• 15% listen to faith-based podcasts.
• 14% use apps or websites to help or remind them to pray.
• 7% participate in online Bible studies, prayer groups, or religious education programs.

“It’s been clear for more than two years that the video technology that helped Americans stay in touch with relatives, friends and colleagues during COVID-19 lockdowns was also helping many to connect with houses of worship. From kitchens or living rooms, in their Sunday best, pajamas or something in between, those with an internet connection and a screen could pray along with other virtual attendees, listen to sermons, and sing along with choirs, all in real time.”

Faith-based technology has made it easier and more convenient than ever for believers to connect with others for encouragement and prayer and to learn how to study the Bible, navigate tricky relationship issues, and create spiritual discipline habits that last.

Yet, despite all the advantages faith-focused technology offers those wishing to grow in faith, some experts are concerned that these so-called benefits come at a very real and often unseen cost.

Benefits of Faith-Focused Technology

More than a quarter of U.S. adults (26%) now use religious technology at least once a week, though the reasons vary. Among those who regularly watch sermons online, the most common reasons include convenience, the ability to watch services far from home, and health concerns.

Author Rachael Adams loves how technology not only allows the gospel message to reach the masses but how it’s also deepened her personal faith as well.

“Technology gives us the ability to post something, and within an hour, that message can reach millions of people. That’s powerful! With technology, we have access to God’s Word in multiple translations, including the original Hebrew text. We can access Christian podcasts, sermons, and commentaries from various perspectives, which can offer so much depth to our study.”

Concerns with Faith-Focused Technology

Not everyone is so pleased with the role of technology in faith, however. Speaker Erica Wiggenhorn argues that while technology has made faith resources more accessible, greater accessibility doesn’t always translate into meaningful spiritual growth.

“Rather than increasing our desire to connect with God, technology has increased our distractibility, leading us to pursue spiritual habits in isolation and with less intention.

“Technology has trained us that our relationship with God is individualistic and our pursuit of Him can be done alone, at our convenience, through our preferences, and with the tools we prefer, to the exclusion of gathering together in fellowship, service, and corporate prayer, like we see in Acts 2.”

Cornerstone Church of San Francisco even warns its congregation of the negative impact technology can have on their faith, family, and relationships, citing dangers such as trouble focusing, increased skepticism, the tendency to disengage, and the tendency to isolate, among others. This hasn’t stopped the church from posting weekly sermons on their website, however.

Faith-Focused Technology Isn’t Going Anywhere

Despite valid concerns over the way technology is affecting our religious practices and beliefs, faith-based technology isn’t likely to go anywhere soon.

“Two-thirds of U.S. adults who regularly stream religious services online or watch them on TV say they are either ‘extremely satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the services they see,” the Pew Research Center study found.

Meanwhile, faith-focused websites, YouTube channels, and social media influencers continue to produce endless streams of fresh new engaging content for their devoted fans and followers.

Whether you’re looking for prayer, Bible study resources, or hope, you can find it all online.

This article was produced by Equipping Godly Women and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.