It's a Sunday morning and you can feel the reverence as individuals quietly gather to worship the Almighty God. Within minutes, the drums start banging, the powerpoint images flash across a huge screen, the sound system amplifies the music that compels the people to join in singing with voices long-drowned out by the pulsing speakers. The spotlight illuminates the glowing cross
If you are thinking about using some piece of technology, whether it be some cool video in youth group or a new Facebook page, stop and think about what the technology will give you--and what it will cost you.
Its a worship "experience" on the highest technological level. The question is, however, has the technology made God more or less visible?
How about a less flashy example. You get a new phone and figure out how to text using just your thumbs. Cool. You send fun little messages to each of the guys in your youth group. They think you are so "happening!" As you sit and text more "hey, dude!" messages, two youth groups kids wander by unnoticed.
Technology can provide a GREAT way to get students' attention. It can be an effective way to build connections with the students you work with. It can also add to the noise. If you are thinking about using some piece of technology, whether it be some cool video in youth group or a new Facebook page, stop and think about what the technology will give you--and what it will cost you. Just like any tool, whether it be a hammer or a text message, technology needs to be used purposefully. If the tool will help draw your students closer to Jesus Christ, then use it. If the technology is really cool and even a little fun, but does nothing to build important relationships or focus a message, then think twice.
Our students have a lot of noise in their lives. Whether it be t.v., IPods, cell phones, video games, or computers, they probably don't need more of the same. In fact, sometimes what they need is silence. It's a scary thing. But silence might be what it takes for them to hear God's small, still voice. Maybe a youth group event that disconnects students and focuses on silence would be more flashy and attention-getting than an expensive video or high-tech game. Maybe a meeting at McDonald's or a walk down the sidewalk with a student would do more connecting than a thousand text messages.
So, before you get all wired up, think about what you want your technology to do. Instead of yelling louder through the technological noise, you may just want to send a whisper to softly touch the heart of your kids.
Peggy Kendall 
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