'We’re Still Here’: Reflections of the Post-Pandemic Digital Church

Abstract

This is the final research report of the "Tech in Churches During Covid-19" research project, a three-year study of churches in Indiana who received funds from the Center for Congregation's Connecting through Technology grant, which focused on the ways technology use during the global pandemic impacted churches experience and outlook. This report presents finding from a survey of 246 church leaders about technological decisions made during the global pandemic. The aim was to better understand churches' engagement with digital media, and compare their practices and attitudes toward technology before, during and after the pandemic. Findings from this report demonstrate a positive shift between 2020 and 2023 in congregational attitudes towards technology and online services. It also highlights how the size of the congregation and the age of religious leaders making technology decisions influenced the type of digital media used and how churches adapted to digital tools.