The Technological Revolution Revisited: Children’s Ministry and Technology in 2005

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to learn how technology is currently being utilized in children's ministry. Responses reflect the current technology usage trends in children’s ministry and the perceptions of those who incorporate technology into children’s ministry in 2005.

Suggested Citation – APA

Rhode, J. F. (2005). The technological revolution revisited: Children’s ministry and technology in 2005. Retrieved Month day, year, from http://www.cmresearch.org/research/cmtechstudy2005/results.htm

Suggested Citation – MLA

Rhode, Jason. “The Technological Revolution Revisited: Children’s Ministry and Technology in 2005.” Children’s Ministry Research. Day Month Year <http://www.cmresearch.org/research/cmtechstudy2005/results.htm>

Purpose

This online survey was a follow-up to Rhode’s survey conducted in 2000 which sought to gain a perspective of the usage of technology in contemporary children’s ministry settings. This time the target audience was broadened to include all evangelical children’s ministry leaders both in the US and abroad. The study was again conducted in an online format, enabling children’s leaders from around the world to participate.

This study DOES NOT attempt to draw any conclusions as to the percentage of children's ministers using technology. This study is by no means scientific. Rather, the purpose is to gain a glimpse as to how technology is being utilized in children's ministry within the local church. Responses reflect the current technology usage trends in children’s ministry and the perceptions of those who incorporate technology into children’s ministry in 2005.

In an attempt to receive responses from primarily children's ministers who were familiar with technology, this study was conducted solely in an online format via the World Wide Web. Email invitations to participate in the online survey were sent via the Kidology newsletter, International Network of Children’s Ministry forums, Children’s Ministry Today email list, and National Children’s Ministry Agency email list.

Demographics

A wide range of individuals involved in ministry to children responded to email and discussion board invitations to participate. A total of 434 children’s ministry leaders from among 45 U.S. states and 13 countries abroad completed this online survey, including: children’s pastors (272); senior pastors (5); associate pastors (15); youth pastors (2); children’s ministry workers (77); professor (1); and missionary (1). Respondents represented 45 U.S. states and 13 countries abroad. A wide range of denominational affiliations and varied community, church, and ministry settings were represented.

Technology Usage

• The top five most commonly used technology items in children’s ministry included: CD player, VCR, DVD player, sound system, and live or recorded video.
  
• CD player is the preferred audio player
  
• CD is the preferred medium for computer software
  
• Personal computer is the most valuable piece of technological equipment used
  
• 85% of children’s ministry leaders make use of the Internet for kids church service preparation, 74% do so on a weekly basis
  
• 17% have used streaming Internet content in kids church
  
• 70% prefer to communicate with kids and parents through printed communication. A large number of respondents reported the importance for personal communication, either face-to-face or via phone.
  
• When asked of preferences to communicating with volunteers, respondents indicated that email and phone are equally preferred.
  
• Sanctuary display is a more common parent notification system than pagers, with 42% of churches using a sanctuary display system and only 22% using pagers.
  
• 8% have a computerized check-in system
  
• 42% have a website for their kids ministry, while 58% do not
  
• 80% have a website for their church
  
• Of those who do have a kids ministry website, 86% indicate that parents are their primary target audience for the website.
  
• 72% involve kids in technology-related areas of ministry. Sound, computer, video, lighting, and photography are among the most common technologically-based ministry areas that these children serve in.

Children’s Ministry Practices and Procedures

The following trends regarding practices and procedures in the local church children’s ministry setting were identified from data received:

• 84% require workers to complete an application prior to serving in a kids ministry, with 88% of those using an application process including a criminal background check.
  
• 68% regularly offer some type of training for children’s ministry volunteers in their church with a quarterly frequency being the most common 40%
  
• Face-to-face workshops, classes, and mentoring are the most prevalent forms of children’s ministry training for volunteers. Forms of e-learning are not commonly used, with very few children’s ministry leaders using any form of asynchronous and synchronous e-learning.
  
• While 63% maintain a resource library for the children’s ministry volunteers of their church, only 21% use a database to inventory children’s ministry resources.

Conclusions

A wide array of skill levels and technology usage exists among children’s ministry leaders.

While the assumption can be made that church size and children’s ministry budget may be a determining factor of technology usage, no data is available to confirm or refute such claims.

More traditional forms of technology are still commonly used and valid among children’s ministries in 2005. The message remains more important than the method used to teach it.

Enhanced illustrative methods and communication means with parents and volunteers are among the ways that children’s ministry leaders are using technology to improve the effectiveness of their efforts.

Children’s ministry pragmatics are influenced by technology. Children’s ministry leaders report a desire to use whatever illustrative methods available to make an unchanging message relevant to the children they serve.

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