Martin Luther wasn’t the first reformer, but his ideas spread where others’ didn’t thanks to the printing press. His followers used cutting-edge technology to ignite the Reformation and spark spiritual renewal. Yet churches today are often slowest to embrace the tools reshaping our society. We’re missing a key part of our Protestant heritage.

For many congregations, learning how to use the latest technology can feel like drinking from a fire hose. Updates to operating systems, and designing and publishing websites, streaming worship online… just as we master one system, another emerges.

The Church exists to equip Christians to proclaim the gospel in word and deed. Our society still wrestles with how to use these tools without harm—and we’re not always succeeding. Technology is often used to spread fear and hate; but like any tool, it can also do good. The Church can use these new tools to proclaim good news to a world sorely in need of it. Like the scribes and printers before us, we can use our printing press to let our light shine before others, living out our baptismal calling to glorify God.