I grew up watching "The Jetsons." 

It was a Sunday night television show (before being moved to Saturday mornings) we were allowed to watch.  The robots did everything and seemed to have all the answers to life in Orbit City.

I think I remember more about Astro the dog than George or Judy or their robot maid, Rosie. The show's writing closely paralleled "The Flintstones," so evidently problems in the Stone Age survived into the Space Age. Don't ask me why, but I wondered if the Jetsons had a robot pastor.

Thankfully, robots are not led by the Holy Spirit.

Advancements in technology have certainly changed delivery of various modalities of preaching and teaching material. I wonder how D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and a host of other preachers would feel about preaching with a smart phone or iPad in hand?  

This Sunday, thousands of people will receive their weekly message via video. Hundreds of services will be viewed in real time online or through mobile delivery. I do not suggest that any particular delivery system is bad. We've come a long way from Spurgeon's stump or Jesus' preaching from the mountainside.

Today, I'm simply attempting to consider what the impact of technology will be upon the church in the next 25-50 years? What will the angels see as they gather in our congregations in a few decades? Did any of us envision video preaching even 20 years ago? What will the offspring of millennials bring onto our platforms?

Not surprisingly, research has provided evidence that children preferred robot teachers to humanoids.

An infographic summary of the research indicates that with robots, "learning becomes fun and play becomes knowledge." Robots apparently are able to encourage more creativity and exploration. Machines apparently can create more inquiry than someone with a heartbeat. "Students feel more comfortable and tend to better project their real self" with robot instructors. I suppose we could conclude that robots enable.

I want my grandchildren to be taught by someone with a spirit and soul. I want to be led by men and women who hear from God and respond with human reasoning and instinct. I want pastors and ministers who feel and love.

I pray our platform of the future remains dependent upon high touch.

"Jesus departed from there, and passed by the Sea of Galilee, and went up on a mountain and sat down there. Great crowds came to Him, having with them those who were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and placed them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them" (Matt. 15:29-30).

Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.

Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.