Let’s talk about something that ruffles feathers in some circles—technology in the church. Now, I’m not just talking about the church livestream or the coffee shop POS system in the foyer (because yes, even the church coffee needs a tech upgrade sometimes). I mean all of it—AI tools, social media, sermon-writing software, and even apps that remind you to pray when you’re doom-scrolling Facebook.

Some folks embrace it, some side-eye it like an offering plate full of IOUs. But is technology a gift from God, or are we teetering on the edge of something dangerous?

A Blessing… or a Curse?

For as long as humanity has been around, we’ve been innovating. The printing press made Bibles accessible. Radio and TV brought preaching into homes. Now, we have digital Bibles, Bible study apps, and entire sermons available at the click of a button. Technology has undeniably expanded the reach of the Gospel.

But then there’s the other side. Church screens that freeze mid-worship set. Sermon notes lost to the cloud. Social media distractions during service (yes, I saw you scrolling during the sermon last Sunday). And then, of course, the big one—AI writing sermons.

Can AI Preach? Should It?

Here’s where things get spicy. AI can analyze scripture, cross-reference commentaries, and generate sermon outlines in seconds. Some pastors use it as a brainstorming tool. Others see it as replacing the role of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s be clear—technology should serve the church, not the other way around. A pastor relying on AI to draft a message isn’t the problem. The danger comes when we let technology do all the work while we sit back and disengage. A sermon isn’t just words strung together—it’s a message prepared through prayer, study, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

📖 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12)

A machine can process words. Only God can breathe life into them.

The Physical Bible: A Connection Across Time

Now, before we all go full Amish and throw our smartphones into the baptismal, let’s talk about the physical Bible.

There’s something about holding a real Bible in your hands. The way the cover wears down over time. The delicate, almost transparent pages—so thin, you half expect them to tear every time you turn them. The smell of the ink. The creases and notes in the margins from years of flipping to the same passages.

This isn’t just nostalgia. This is connection—to the Word, to history, to the billions before us who have done the same thing.

For over a thousand years, people have connected to God through a written text. Ever since God decided that spoken tradition wasn’t enough, we have had His Word in physical form. When Jesus walked into the temple, He read from a scroll. The early church copied letters by hand. And for centuries, faithful believers risked their lives just to own a single copy.

📖 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

The physical act of reading a Bible—the movement of your eyes, the turning of pages, the underlining of verses—locks it into your mind in a way that a screen struggles to match. Your brain engages differently when you read from a book than when you scroll through an app. Studies even back this up—reading physical text improves retention and understanding.

Does this mean Bible apps are bad? Absolutely not. If an app is the only way you can fit Scripture into your daily life, then praise God for it. A digital Bible is infinitely better than not reading the Word at all.

But when it’s practical, consider reaching for that old leather-bound Bible. It’s more than just a book—it’s a connection to the generations of believers before us, and a reminder that God’s Word has stood the test of time.

Technology and the Heart of Worship

The real question isn’t whether technology is good or bad. It’s how we use it. A microphone amplifies the Word, but it can’t worship for us. A livestream reaches the lost, but it can’t replace fellowship. AI can generate ideas, but it can’t seek God for wisdom.

It’s easy to rely on tech to do faith for us. To replace prayer with push notifications. To swap personal study for quick Google searches. To replace real conversations with comment threads. But faith requires our engagement. Technology should enhance our walk, not replace it.

📖 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

If tech is helping you do that, great. If it’s getting in the way, maybe it’s time to unplug for a minute.

Conclusion: Use Wisely, Stay Rooted

So, what’s the verdict? Should we ban AI from sermon prep? Smash our phones? Broadcast church exclusively via homing pigeon? Probably not. But we should be intentional.

Technology is a tool. It can either sharpen our faith or dull it, depending on how we wield it.

✅ Let it help, but don’t let it take over.
✅ Stay in the Word, not just on the app.
✅ Pray like tech doesn’t exist—then use it wisely.
✅ And when you can, pick up that old Bible. It’s more than just paper.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for the tools You’ve given us to spread Your Word. Help us to use them wisely, to stay rooted in Your truth, and to always seek You first. May we never let convenience replace conviction, and may we always remember that nothing—no app, no algorithm, no AI—can replace a relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Call to Action

If this post got you thinking, share it! And if you’re reading this on your phone during church… maybe put it down. Just sayin’.