Faith and technology have always been an interesting mix. From the parchment to printing press to pixels, Scripture and how we understand have been influenced in a variety of ways due to the communication medium involved. To begin 2011, I thought I’d share a few predictions of my own, to suggest how technology will influence faith in 2011:

1. Increased Transparency: With the mainstream use of video chat via mobile phones, almost nothing in the church or Christian world will be able to remain hidden. More services will be recorded, photographed, broadcast live, podcasted, and documented in a myriad of ways than any year in history.

2. Less Powerpoint: Powerpoint slides were cool ten years ago. Now static slides mostly get in the way of the message. In larger churches, words will increasingly be replaced with video and moving images. In smaller churches, congregants will embrace a more personal style with screens used primarily for song lyrics and local pics/videos of members in action.

3. More Choirs: No kidding! With the popularity of Glee an other “musical” like shows in recent years, the choral group will continue to resurface in church groups, including many younger people in the process. “Hipster” churches that have long abandoned the tradition will find themselves reinventing choral groups due to renewed interest. But this time “tech” will make the choirs of old sound much better in HD!

4. The King James Version Returns: 2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the world-changing King James translation. Whether anyone new uses it or not this year, this issue will receive a lot of hype. The positive is that renewed attention will be given to Scripture. The negative? I asketh thee to considereth?

5. Increased Public Attention concerning the Persecution of Christians: 2010 revealed a spike in religious persecution of Christians in Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, and other nations. Unfortunately, this one is not likely to go away. Technology such as Twitter and widespread mobile phone usage are offering windows into these activities previously unseen. Individuals and churches could really consider stepping up efforts to pray and act on behalf of those in these situations.

Lots more will happen in 2011. What is your prediction?