Naomi's Notes - 01/31/10
Technology and Worship, part 2:
In my last column I told of a hi-tech, multi-site church in GA that uses cutting-edge technology for their loud, high energy, "praise & worship" style services.*
Some might say, "Wow! How cool is that!" We know of congregations who (literally) buy into the philosophy that they must use extreme cutting-edge, over-the-top technology in their worship services in order to attract people - and many are successful in drawing a crowd. Besides the issue of stewardship of resources, the question every church must ask is, "Does extreme use of technology really help people worship God....or is it mostly an expensive novelty?"
Despite appearances, innovation and media-manipulated "excitement" are not reliable gauges of a worshiping congregation (any more than low-tech, "quiet" services are a reliable gauge of reverence). When people leave a worship service more wowed by novelty and innovation than they are awed by God, then technology has gone too far. It becomes a distraction, a barrier to personal, authentic worship. It's not a matter of worship style preferences; it's a matter of honoring God.
Technology does have its place in our modern world and in our worship, but it must be used judiciously as an effective tool, not an end in itself. Remember that "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial" (1 Cor. 10:23). Just because we can doesn't mean we should.
We can all agree that our worship is definitely aided by the technology of heat, air conditioning, and lighting systems every Sunday! The technology of microphones and other sound equipment helps us with hearing prayers and scripture, sermons and soloists.
Our faithful Tech Team uses visual technology tastefully and creatively to enhance our services when they post pre-service announcements, put scripture and song texts on the screens, stream pastoral scenes during the offertory, etc. (We're also appreciative of their skills in creating quality DVDs and commercials for broadcast in our community.)
It's hard to define "good taste," but folks generally know it when they see it...and our Tech Team has it! We need to support their ministry as they continue to improve our worship and ministry projects through technology. ...(cont'd. in my next column)
*Correction: The pastor does not appear as a hologram in 2 of the 3 worship sites each week; the church receptionist said that rumor persists because the pastor's full-body, life-sized image appears on a large high-definition screen that is lowered to center stage. The image is very realistic, especially since the decor of all 3 sites is set up the same, and two raised screens on either side show close-ups of his face as he preaches.