Faith and the Future: Navigating the Church’s Reluctance Toward Emerging Technologies
Disruptive technology has been a constant throughout the history of humanity and within the Christian church. Whether it was the use of the printing press to mobilize the teaching of Martin Luther (the birth of Protestantism) or the adoption of the innovative and technologically advanced musical instrument – the pipe organ – the church has participated, engaged, and navigated technological advances since Jesus ascended into heaven. However, as the rate of change and technological advancements are rapidly increasing, we are in what Futurist Amy Webb calls a ‘Technological Supercycle.’ With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology (check out https://neuralink.com/), and advances in autonomous driving vehicles, the rate and scale of technological advancement is significant.
Author Brian Patrick Green (2017) argues that technology is integral for the Church to be successful, and that understanding technology on a spectrum of ‘good’, ‘neutral’, and ‘bad’, relating to its ability to “facilitate good or bad moral actions,” (p. 2) is useful. He emphasizes that the church must discern which technologies can help others and be put to good use versus technology that perhaps is clearly morally bad as they facilitate pain and suffering for others (p. 8).
Expanding on this sentiment, an interesting, unexpected tension regarding Christian leaders’ perspective of technological trends emerged out of a recent study conducted by researchers at Futuring Hub for Theo-Futures Research, located at Acadia Divinity College. Part of this study sought to identify and understand Christian leaders from across Canada’s perspective on which current trends they believed would be important in the future, regarding the trend’s potential to shape and impact the church in 2035 (10 years). The four trends directly related to technology as identified and assessed by participants were:
- Adoption of Hybrid Approach: The integration of both in-person and digital platforms for worship, fellowship, and church activities.
- Digitalization: The integration and application of digital technologies in church operations, communication, and ministry activities.
- Impact of Artificial Intelligence: The influence of AI on society writ large, but specifically on its impact on church operations, communication, and engagement, presenting new opportunities and ethical considerations.
- New Forms of Gathering: Development of alternative ways of congregating, including online communities, house churches, and informal faith groups.
Aligning with Green’s comments, one might assume that these four technology trends would be considered highly important for the future church. However, Hub researchers were surprised to find that each of these trends were scored below the average (5.2) regarding their future importance, based on a 7-point Likert scale where 1 indicates ‘not at all important’ and 7 indicates ‘extremely important.’ The surprise was emphasized with the Impact of Artificial Intelligence trend receiving the fourth lowest average across all trends (4.42). While further research is required, these findings begin to paint an initial picture, of a technology adverse culture held by Christian leaders.

It is important to note that there is ambiguity in this as some technology can be used for both good and bad (example: social media). However, Christian leaders must carefully consider how to not simply dismiss all new technologies as ‘bad.’ This research alludes to the importance of futures-oriented skills such as digital literacy and sociotechnological imagination.
Recognizing that we have agency about how we chose to (or not) engage with technology, Christian leaders must consider the practical and theological implications of these choices, and how these choices can influence the spiritual life and growth of their congregations and greater community.
See the full report on the Futuring Hub website along with other emerging research initiatives and opportunities to partner (www.futuringhub.ca).
References
- Future Today Institute. (2024). 2024 Tech Trends Report: Full Report [PDF]. https://futuretodayinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TR2024_Full-Report_FINAL_LINKED.pdf
- Green, B. P. (2017). The Catholic Church and technological progress: Past, present, and future. Religions, 8(6), 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel8060106
- Jun, G. (2020). Virtual Reality Church as a New Mission Frontier in the Metaverse: Exploring Theological Controversies and Missional Potential of Virtual Reality Church. Transformation (Exeter), 37(4), 297–305. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265378820963155

Joel Murphy
Facilitator of Trend Research and Analysis at Futuring Hub for Theo-Futures Research, located at Acadia Divinity College.