The Self-Driving Church

"I want my kids to grow up leading bad Bible studies."

Recently I gave a talk on technology at a large church in Silicon Valley. I talked about the shift from tools to devices that has characterized the technological era (see my Q talk on technology for even more about that distinction). I warned that the promise of “easy everywhere” — self-driving cars! — will be disappointing and full of ennui unless we learn to turn our devices into “instruments,” the fully engaging, demanding forms of culture that most develop our capacities as human beings.

I received a number of encouraging responses, but this one in particular seemed worth sharing, which I do with the permission of the original author (who requested anonymity) and with minor editorial changes. —Andy

Yesterday I was privileged to hear your fabulous talk on relating to technology at our church.

As a working mechanical engineer who grew up in machine shops in the days before computers there was quite a bit for me to relate to when you talked about tools, instruments, and devices. I was fortunate to be formed as an old-school apprentice and then formally educated in science and engineering at university. I’ve watched as young engineers become more and more disconnected from hands on experience of the machines they develop. The computer requires less and less of them and consequently I see passion and capability for engineering and design diminish.

In a similar fashion I have watched the very same process happen in the church. I couldn’t help thinking yesterday that as much as you were describing my personal experience of engineering evolution you were also describing my experience of the modern church. No longer do I see young people struggle to create and lead Bible studies. Instead we meet together and watch a prepared video. No longer are we praying with hungry people in the streets. Instead we are packaging lunches and stuffing backpacks for mass delivery.

Like cars, church is becoming self-driving. Really cool the first time but without any real opportunity for ownership or failure, ultimately boring and un-rewarding. I watch as the serious Christians I respect are finding more meaning and opportunity to follow Jesus outside the church than they do inside. For me personally, church does not ask enough of me to cause me to move inward from the margins. As a Sunday School teacher I stop and start videos and lead prepared discussions. The opportunity for creative ownership and failure are removed, presumably to lower some barrier to entry. It leaves the church as a low-commitment, high-choice volunteer force on the one hand, and a resource-driven (by media and dollars) weekly event on the other.

Now at age 56, following Jesus has been a lifelong adventure in finding God’s faithfulness and love as I step out and engage in risky, costly expressions of love. I’ve become addicted to it. I grieve for the next generation missing out on this adventure. This problem is in no way unique to our congregation. And yet I see great signs of hope coming from outside the church. I see inter-church and inter-faith relationships forming as like-minded believers partner together in reaching the poor. I see believers partnering with local governments and folks of other faiths in loving those on the margins. I spent last week at the national conference of the Christian Community Development Association and met many young people deeply committed to living out their faith in urban settings.

I want my kids to grow up leading bad Bible studies, and blowing it when they pray for people on the street, and still be able to testify how God worked in spite of their failures. I want them to go out two at a time into neighborhoods and create a portfolio of God stories they can tell their kids.

The self driving church is just boring. You leave me wondering how to rearrange things to disrupt the transition. You’ve given me a lot to chew on.