Technology isn’t cheap. Just look at the latest iPhone prices. That’s also why it’s so hard to upgrade church technology.
Maybe you’re still running a Windows PC that sounds like a jet engine when it boots up, or a camera that was top of the line when YouTube was new. Sometimes you’ve got to upgrade to stay current.
You don’t need to spend a fortune, though. Choosing the right things to upgrade makes it much more affordable to get your church’s tech out of the stone age. Here are 15 ways to do it, starting with the upgrades that do the most work for the least money.
Part 1: Put Your First Dollars Where They Do the Most Work
If you can only fund one or two upgrades this year, pick the ones that check off several jobs at once.
1. Focus on Your Church Website
If you don’t have a large budget, one of the most affordable ways to upgrade church technology is to invest in a website. Your church website instantly makes your church seem more modern and tech-savvy. It’s also a multi-purpose tech investment, and what REACHRIGHT charges for a website starts well below what most churches expect.
It’s not a page with a picture of your building and your address. A good church website also serves as your:
As you can tell, your church’s site is a powerful tool. By checking off so many things in a single investment, it’s an affordable way to go from off the grid to available 24/7 to potential new visitors.
If you already have a church website, consider giving it an affordable upgrade. It doesn’t take much time or money. Something as simple as changing your images helps, and can even help you start appealing more to younger generations as well.
2. Invest in Online Giving
Do you still pass around a collection plate? That will likely always be a staple of churches, but it’s time to upgrade church technology to increase giving and make accounting easier.
Imagine spending less time counting money and more time just running a simple report. Plus, people often feel much more comfortable giving online. It’s private and convenient, and they don’t have to carry cash (which, let’s be honest, most people under 40 don’t).
Online giving platforms make it quick and easy for your members and even online followers to give. Integrate them with your church website and/or app. You can use a few donated tablets to set up giving stations inside your church, too.
3. Look for All-in-One Solutions
If there’s anything fast food combos have taught us, it’s that sometimes it’s cheaper to bundle. The same is true when it comes to upgrading your church technology.
If all you currently have are a few old speakers and a microphone that sort of works, it’s more affordable to buy a moderately priced system than each component separately. Watch for sales and you can often find audio systems that include a soundboard, cables, software, and speakers for the cost of one or two of those components.
A church website is another all-in-one solution. For instance, our church website design services include all the basics along with things like an events system, online sermons, analytics, digital giving, and more.
The cheapest upgrade is the one that does three jobs at once.
Part 2: Get Tech for Free (or Close to It)
A lot of what your church needs is already out there for free or at a steep discount. You just have to know where to ask.
4. Ask for Device Donations
The average person replaces their smartphone every two to three years. And phones aren’t the only thing they replace. Your members have tablets, smart speakers, laptops, desktops, webcams, sound systems, and more. Odds are, they have older devices sitting in a drawer that still work well and are better than what your church has now.
Ask your members and community to donate their old gadgets to your church. Upgrade church technology with some of what you collect. Then have volunteers re-purpose the rest to hand out to people in the community who can’t afford devices of their own.
This is a great way to affordably upgrade your own tech while helping out the community too. Things might not be brand new, but they’re still useful. You can even install a free Linux system on older Windows computers to help them run faster.
5. Use Open Source Software
Many open source tools are completely free, even for businesses and nonprofits. You can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars by using these free alternatives over their paid counterparts.
For instance, instead of buying Microsoft Office, use LibreOffice. It’s incredibly similar to Microsoft Office, and it’s free. There are free options for church management software, image editing, and graphics too.
6. Take Advantage of Discounts, Grants, and Bill Reviews
Numerous businesses and organizations love to help out nonprofits, and that includes helping you upgrade church technology. A common way businesses help is by donating their old computers and equipment (which may only be a year or two old) to deserving nonprofits.
You may need to reach out to be considered, though. A humble letter explaining your need and why you need new devices is a great start.
You can also work with organizations that gather the best discounts for you. TechSoup helps religious organizations find software and hardware for less, and its TechSoup Boost membership unlocks additional savings.
In addition to discounts, grants are available to help your church. Not all of them focus on technology, but you can narrow your search if that’s what you need most. Whole Whale lists ways major tech companies support nonprofits, and if you need help searching for and applying for grants, Funding for Good offers step-by-step guidance for faith-based organizations.
Don’t overlook the bills you already pay: Lamb Telecom
Here’s an upgrade most churches never think about. Before you buy anything new, look at what you already spend every month on phones, internet, and IT support.
Most churches sign a phone or internet contract once and never look at it again. Meanwhile, prices drop, better options launch, and the church keeps paying the same rate it locked in years ago. Nobody on staff has time to call a dozen providers and compare quotes. That’s exactly the gap Lamb Telecom fills.
Lamb Telecom is an IT and telecom consulting company based in Colorado that works with churches and nonprofits across the country. Instead of selling you one carrier’s product, they shop your needs across their network of more than 300 technology partners and bring back the options that fit your budget. That covers the tech most churches pay for every month:
They offer free IT consulting for churches, and Tithe.ly lists them as a recommended partner. Lamb reports that its clients save 25% or more on average, and that it has saved clients over $1 million across more than 25 states. One church that had its internet and phone system upgraded through Lamb shared in a review that they’re now saving $200 every month.
That might not sound like much, until you watch it add up.
That’s money that can go straight back into the other upgrades on this list. And because the savings come from bills you’re already paying, it’s one of the few tech upgrades that pays for itself from month one.
7. Embrace Google for Nonprofits
Did you know Google wants to help your church? The tech giant offers grants to nonprofits, along with a bunch of free tools, to help you succeed. All you need to do is apply and learn how to use everything.
The standout is the Google Ad Grant: up to $10,000 per month in free search ads. That’s $120,000 a year in free marketing. We can help you apply for and start using the program to grow your church. When you’re not spending as much on marketing, you have even more to invest in tech upgrades.
The program also includes free access to Google’s suite of tools, like Google Workspace for Nonprofits (Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Meet with your church’s domain) and YouTube’s nonprofit features.
8. Use Free Graphics
You don’t need an expensive subscription to get great graphics. Use a free image editor and free church graphics to create your own unique designs. There are also free online platforms for creating graphics, including Canva.
You can create stunning slideshows and backgrounds for services, update your church site and blog with fresh graphics, or draw attention to your social media posts.
Part 3: Reach More People Without Paying for It
9. Master Social Media
A common misconception about technology is that you have to pay to benefit. Wrong! A simple way to upgrade church technology is by mastering social media. All you need is a smartphone or computer and you’re ready to start connecting with your members all week long.
Facebook alone has roughly 3 billion monthly users, and you don’t have to pay a thing to join the platform and start posting.
Of course, getting noticed isn’t that simple. The major investment is time. But once you figure out what works and how to engage with your followers, you’ll find it’s a simple and free tool for growing your church. Plus, you’ll reach all ages on just one or two platforms.
Social media seem too difficult? Start with these guides:
- Social Media Trends That Boost Engagement
- How Smaller Churches Can Stand Out on Social Media
- The Ultimate Church Social Media Strategy Guide
10. Stream Online for Free
More than ever, people expect churches to stream their services. At the very least, they want to see the last few sermons posted to watch whenever. Streaming seems expensive, between the equipment and the platform, but it doesn’t have to be.
The great thing is a one-time equipment investment lasts you for years. Our livestreaming guide helps you understand what you need and which platforms fit your budget.
Part 4: Spend Smarter on What You Buy
11. Think Realistic Over the Latest and Greatest
It’s easy to get starstruck by megachurches. They have the latest and greatest church technology, and their lights, audio, and video are mind-blowing. But you don’t have to compete with that.
Remember, a church needs at least 2,000 weekly attendees just to qualify as a megachurch, and the biggest ones run dozens of campuses. Churches like that bring in enough every week to invest in the best.
Your church doesn’t need the best. It’s like someone who bought an iPhone six months ago claiming they need the newest model. The two aren’t that different outside of the price.
The right tech isn't always the most expensive. Pick what works, then focus on making the most of it.
So think realistically. An off-brand option may cost hundreds or even thousands less and still deliver amazing results for your church.
12. Get More From the Technology You Have
Sometimes you don’t need to buy much of anything to upgrade. You just need to make what you have do more. If you have a laptop, all you need is a quality webcam to start streaming. No need for a brand new computer or camera system.
Don’t want to invest in a soundboard? No problem. Buy speakers you can control from a smartphone. Then all you have to buy are the speakers.
13. Limit What You Need
When it comes time to upgrade church technology, it’s easy to get carried away. A common goal is making sure every staff member has their own computer. But does everyone actually need one?
Would it be better to have a few shared computers and a mobile-friendly church management system instead? Staff who don’t really need computers can access reports and information from their phones.
A good sound system means you don’t need nearly as many speakers. Adjustable LED lighting reduces how many lights you need, since you can change the brightness and angles to fit the moment.
14. Utilize Volunteers to Run Things
With technology upgrades, you’ll need people to help you set things up and maintain them. Odds are, you already have the support you need right in your church family.
Ask volunteers to help install new equipment, run sound, edit video, set up livestream cameras, and more. It gets them more involved and engaged in your church. Plus, for members who already love tech, it’s just fun.
15. Rent for Temporary Needs
Finally, if you only need certain technology a few times a year for special events, consider renting or bringing in a service. It’s much cheaper than buying everything.
Your Church Tech Upgrade Plan
- Review the bills you already pay. Get a free phone, internet, and IT review so savings can fund everything else.
- Apply for Google for Nonprofits. Free tools plus up to $10,000 a month in search ads.
- Run a device drive. Turn members' old phones and tablets into giving kiosks and livestream cameras.
- Swap paid software for free alternatives. Start with office tools and graphics.
- Put your first real dollars into your website and online giving. They do the most jobs for the money.
Not sure where to start?
Affordable technology helps your church succeed. We'll take a free look at your church's website and online presence and tell you exactly which upgrades will make the biggest difference, plus how to put the Google Ad Grant to work.
