MinistryTech Session 1
Tony Morgan
10 Reasons Why Techies Scare me
Chief Strategic Officer – Communications and Multi Site Ministry and IT
New Spring Church, Andersen SC
NewSpring is a church of 8300 in a town of 25k
“I am a gadget guy, so I understand you, but I am not one of you” – Tony Morgan
- Techies assume everyone thinks like a techie
Because people use technologies, doesn’t mean they think like techies
The Body of Christ is gifted very differently and not everyone is wired like those in IT
Building relationships will allow users to become IT cheer leaders
- You scare me because you don’t bend on standardization
“Some people want to use a mac, they want to pay twice as much to use a computer, I don’t know why”
Only adhering to standardization might be compared to legalism of the Pharisees
Standardization for the fire department is a great thing. But remain flexible when you ‘lock into standards’
- Techies scare me because they hire the best geek rather than the best leader
In ministry our tendency is to hire the person with the best ‘talent’ (tech, music, speaking, care, etc.)
Sometimes people with the talent aren’t great leaders, a leader can translate the specifics of the ministry to the whole.
- Techies scare me because they want more staff
Ministry has limited resources (money, people, space, things etc.)
How are we going to engage volunteers
Howe are we going to empower other staff to champion the technology.
- Techies scare me because they want more money for more technology
Show me the investment we are making will give me a cost savings or will have an impact on ministry.
Help your leaders help you do the homework to see the big picture
- Techies scare me because you don’t document processes.
You need to equip the ministry to run smoothly after you aren’t in the picture.
- Techies scare me because you implement technology solutions without considering the strategic systems.
If you have the right people and tech, but not strategy it becomes a hindrance to the person you are ‘helping’
When you have the right strategy, and people but not right tech, you are irrelevant.
Tech is important to connect and communicate to today’s culture.
Example: registration processes that are paper and then data entry is done… that is a disconnect from the culture.
When you get the right tech, people and strategy you make decision making easier, tech easier to use, tech invisible to the user and a seamless process.
- Techies scare me because they implement technology solutions without communicating with the team.
Warn, Inform and communicate with those who aren’t techies
You have to be about the people.
Just because I write the best email ever, people don’t always get it.
An outline of steps doesn’t always communicate to everyone.
How do I communicate with the teams I am supporting.
- Techies scare me because you focus on implementation without creating systems for training and support.
Do your users hold the mouse upside down and wonder why the courser isn’t going where they want.
A little handholding may go along way.
Everyone learns at different paces.
New Technology paralyzes people when no one walks them thru the changes.
- Techies scare me because you let technology drive the ministry rather than letting ministry drive the technology.
“Sometimes the greatest technology you are trying to implement smells like poop” – Tony Morgan
Techies create a great hullabaloo about technologies but the technology might still smells like poop.
Don’t miss connecting with your culture.