Technology & The Church Piano Player

December 04, 2025•3 min read

"...if we are going to use technology, the main thing to remember is that any technology we use must be seen as a servant to our main goal of supporting the congregational singing, rather than a master that can potentially hinder it."

How does technology relate to church piano players?

Over the next several weeks, we'll be looking at this subject of technology. As we know, it is all around us, and whether young or old, we’re all affected by, and can benefit from, the various uses of technology.

As a church piano player, you may have an interest in using more technology but don’t know where to start. Or you may need some pointers related specifically to the church context, or maybe you may feel like you don’t need to use technology at all, which is fine!

At the end of the day, if we are going to use technology, the main thing to remember is that any technology we use must be seen as a servant to our main goal of supporting the congregational singing, rather than a master that can potentially hinder it.

Here's an example of how not to use it. Imagine that you're so into technology that you just had to get the latest iPad and set it up so you could put all your songs on it in digital form. However, you get so consumed with doing it that when it comes to Sunday, you do a poor job of actually playing the songs because you spent more time on sorting out your new iPad. At the end of the day, what does it matter if you have a nice new shiny iPad sitting on the piano, but your congregation is hindered in their worship to God?

Or maybe you are so into the new keyboard your church just bought, that you want to try out all the sounds next time you lead worship. The problem is it ends up distracting the congregation because you sound like you are a sales rep doing a demo for the keyboard!

The truth is, technology can be a wonderful resource for us as church piano players as long as it plays a supportive role, helping not hindering us, in doing our job efficiently and effectively.

As we consider this subject, we will look at things like electronic pianos and keyboards, iPads and tablets for displaying our music, and also sound systems, and monitors.

I hope you will find these posts helpful as we consider how best to use technology in our role as church piano players.

[Return to The Church Piano Player Website]

This blog post was written by pastor and pianist Kris Baines, from The Church Piano Player. Kris lives in the UK with his family, having recently moved back from New Zealand where he worked as a pastor for the past 26 years (also leading worship/worship teams). Kris has also spent over 35 years writing, recording, and performing music and is now bringing all that combined experience together to help equip church piano/keyboard players.

Check out the church piano player website for more information on online courses by Kris Baines.