Exploring how an interface of connected applications affects the level of practice for congregants in the Christian faith

Abstract

The aim of this project is to advance previous techno-spiritual research by focusing on the effectiveness of connected mobile applications to affect the level of spiritual practice in congregants of the Christian faith. The literature reviewed suggests that spiritual practices such as prayer, scripture reading, and monetary giving can facilitate spiritual experiences. By aggregating the data of the Bible app, the Abide app and the Givelify app that offer avenues to spiritual practice, this project shows the overall level of practice of users during the use and non-use of an interface of connected applications. The Daily Spiritual Experience Survey (DSES) was used to rate the level of spiritual experience of participants while using the Bible app, the Abide app and the Givelify app. The researcher found that there was no evidence that an interface of connected applications had an effect on the level of practice for congregants in the Christian faith. The study found that the dashboard did not have a positive or a negative effect on users DSES survey data over time. This research opens new avenues by which techno-spiritual focused mobile applications can be harnessed to support religious and spiritual practices or experiences.