This quarter in Substack Seminary, we’re talking about how technology can help us in ministry.
And to kick things off, I thought I’d start with something practical: four tech tools I’m using right now and finding helpful.
None of these are specifically “church software.” In fact, that’s part of what I like about them. They help me manage relationships, organize work, communicate, and create across the different contexts in which I work.
1. Dex
Dex is a personal CRM—or Customer Relationship Management system. CRMs are essentially databases designed to help organizations keep track of relationships: who someone is, when you last interacted, what you’ve talked about, and when you might want to follow up.
I found Dex after trying to find a CRM that could manage relationships from all the different contexts of my work.
What I like about Dex is that it isn’t tied to one particular business or organization. It is my CRM.
So I can keep track of relationships from church, nonprofits, podcasting, writing, consulting, and everything else—all in the same place. Dex can also track notes, reminders, important dates, and other information that helps you remember where you left off with someone.
I’m of the belief that when someone has a need, the person they reach out to isn’t necessarily the most qualified person they know. It’s often whoever is top of mind.
So, maintaining those relationships is important.
At minimum, I think pastors and ministry leaders could use something like this to help keep track of relationships and pastoral-care follow-ups.
2. Trello
Trello is a project and task-management tool built around boards, lists, and cards. You can use those to organize projects, track tasks, set deadlines, and see where different pieces of work stand.
There are many project-management tools available, so Trello may not be the right solution for you. I initially tried it because I had friends who used it and liked it.
I’m still exploring everything it can do.
But, again, one thing I like as someone doing multiple things is that I can create different boards corresponding to the different areas of my work: church, nonprofit, podcasting, writing, and so on.
Instead of trying to keep all those projects in my head, Trello gives me a place to put them.
3. Riverside
Riverside is an online recording and communication platform. Think of something like Zoom, but built much more intentionally around producing high-quality audio and video content.
I’ve used Riverside for several years in my podcasting work.
But I’m increasingly encouraging clients to think beyond podcast recording and consider the other ways tools like this can be used in ministry—webinars, interviews, video conversations, training materials, and on-demand content.
Especially as ministry becomes less geographically bound, the ability to create good digital content is increasingly part of ministry infrastructure.
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4. ChatGPT
Finally, I don’t know how someone can avoid utilizing AI in modern ministry.
ChatGPT is an AI assistant that can help with things like brainstorming, writing, research, planning, working with files, and organizing information.
I know AI usage is still controversial in some ministry contexts. And I wouldn’t want someone to plug in a biblical text, have AI spit out a sermon, and then preach that sermon as their own.
But that’s very different from using AI as a tool.
Even this morning, as I’m writing this, I put some particulars into AI and had it help me flesh out an end-of-year giving plan, including weekly checklists.
I use it to brainstorm, organize ideas, challenge my thinking, refine writing, research questions, and help turn ideas into actionable plans.
AI doesn’t have to replace your thinking. It can help you think and work more effectively.
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Use technology to support the work
None of these tools will make you a better pastor or ministry leader by themselves.
But they can help you remember people, organize your work, communicate more effectively, and spend less time trying to keep everything straight in your head.
And that’s part of what we’re exploring this quarter in Substack Seminary:
How can technology support the ministry we’re actually called to do—rather than simply becoming one more thing we have to manage?
And perhaps I should add this: as we’re all trying to figure out how to make our work sustainable, if you’re interested in any of these products, let me know. I can send you a referral link.
It doesn’t change my recommendation—I’m sharing these because they’re tools I actually use and find helpful—but if you’re going to sign up anyway, I certainly won’t turn down the referral.
Be sure to leave a comment below with your favorite technology tool in ministry.
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