In addition, one-third of respondents noted that they found some resources on-line that they wish were available within their congregations. This finding may have particular relevance in light of current speculation as to whether it is possible for believers to have all their spiritual needs met online. George Barna, a social scientist who studies trends in religious and secular culture, found that one out of six teenagers “expect to use the Internet as a substitute for their current church-based religious experience” within the next five years.

A few churches used the term “cyber-member” in their comments to us, but they generally wrote that those who access worship via the Internet are elderly people who could not attend services, or previous members who had moved away but retain ties. If Barna’s prediction is correct, and if teens can accurately predict their preferences five years down the road (two very big “ifs”), congregational sites may need to find ways to engage both the spiritual and financial interests of a new young breed of spiritually-minded surfers.

Source: Pew Internet & American Life: Online life report