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The Real Problem with Multimedia in Worship
Multimedia is a worship buzzword that is being tossed around with some regularity. In fact, today it keeps company with other buzz words like contemporary, seeker-sensitive, and postmodern.
Everyone seems to be talking about it, but what is it? Simply put, multimedia is using or involving several forms of media. What is media? Again, simply put, media is anything that communicates. More than that, the effective use of media connects people with the message.
A book communicates through the written word. A speech communicates through the spoken word. A picture is worth a thousand words...You get the idea.
Truth: We have been using multimedia in our worship longer than we realize. Likewise, the use of technology has been in place longer than some care to admit.
Hymnals are produced using technology. Weekly bulletins are made available because of technology - be it typewriter, word processor, or color copier.
Does your church use one of the many options of purchased bulletin shells that have color pictures and Scripture verses on the front cover? If so, you are already using a multimedia bulletin.
In my assessment, while multimedia is the buzzword, the real issue has to do with the use of modern day technology. However, throughout history, the communication of the Gospel has gone hand in hand with the technology of the day. In short, technology and multimedia in worship are not new ideas. So why all the buzz?
The Issue behind the Issue: The real problem surrounding the use of today’s technology in worship has nothing to do with technology, multimedia, or even worship. It all filters down to worldview; specifically, worldview as it pertains to the primary purpose of the church.
Biblically, according to the Great Commission, the primary purpose of the church is to make disciples. However, when asked about the primary purpose of the church, only 34% of church members say it is to make disciples.
In Contrast 60% say the primary purpose of the church is to provide a place of fellowship where Christians can share God’s love WITH ONE ANOTHER. (for those adding the percentages - 4% say the primary purpose is to be the moral backbone of society and 2% say it is to teach the golden rule).
The worldview conflict regarding the primary purpose of the church is the real culprit. It is a tension point in most churches in America, and it manifests itself in a myriad of different symptoms - of which, technology “multimedia” in worship is but one.
If your worldview is to make disciples, it makes sense to use the technology of the day to communicate the Gospel in ways that connect with those far from God.
If your worldview is that of Fellowship WITH ONE ANOTHER, it does not make sense to spend a significant sum of money on technology when most people in the church are already happy with the way things are.
Understanding the worldview issue behind the issue is huge! Likewise addressing it before implementing new technology in worship is vital to its success. Without shoring up the foundational worldview issue, the “house of technology” you build will eventually collapse - or worse - it will collapse the church.
There is a lot to this topic. I think I’ll stay with it in my posts for a while. In the mean time, I’d love to hear from you!
What do you see as the important factors concerning, technology - multimedia in the church?
Alan
Alan Chandler is a Consultant Partner with Church Doctor Ministries, a full-service church consultation ministry dedicated to helping Christians and churches become more effective for the Great Commission, to make disciples of all people. Alan can be reached at alanchandler@churchdoctor.org
Everyone seems to be talking about it, but what is it? Simply put, multimedia is using or involving several forms of media. What is media? Again, simply put, media is anything that communicates. More than that, the effective use of media connects people with the message.
A book communicates through the written word. A speech communicates through the spoken word. A picture is worth a thousand words...You get the idea.
Truth: We have been using multimedia in our worship longer than we realize. Likewise, the use of technology has been in place longer than some care to admit.
Hymnals are produced using technology. Weekly bulletins are made available because of technology - be it typewriter, word processor, or color copier.
Does your church use one of the many options of purchased bulletin shells that have color pictures and Scripture verses on the front cover? If so, you are already using a multimedia bulletin.
In my assessment, while multimedia is the buzzword, the real issue has to do with the use of modern day technology. However, throughout history, the communication of the Gospel has gone hand in hand with the technology of the day. In short, technology and multimedia in worship are not new ideas. So why all the buzz?
The Issue behind the Issue: The real problem surrounding the use of today’s technology in worship has nothing to do with technology, multimedia, or even worship. It all filters down to worldview; specifically, worldview as it pertains to the primary purpose of the church.
Biblically, according to the Great Commission, the primary purpose of the church is to make disciples. However, when asked about the primary purpose of the church, only 34% of church members say it is to make disciples.
In Contrast 60% say the primary purpose of the church is to provide a place of fellowship where Christians can share God’s love WITH ONE ANOTHER. (for those adding the percentages - 4% say the primary purpose is to be the moral backbone of society and 2% say it is to teach the golden rule).
The worldview conflict regarding the primary purpose of the church is the real culprit. It is a tension point in most churches in America, and it manifests itself in a myriad of different symptoms - of which, technology “multimedia” in worship is but one.
If your worldview is to make disciples, it makes sense to use the technology of the day to communicate the Gospel in ways that connect with those far from God.
If your worldview is that of Fellowship WITH ONE ANOTHER, it does not make sense to spend a significant sum of money on technology when most people in the church are already happy with the way things are.
Understanding the worldview issue behind the issue is huge! Likewise addressing it before implementing new technology in worship is vital to its success. Without shoring up the foundational worldview issue, the “house of technology” you build will eventually collapse - or worse - it will collapse the church.
There is a lot to this topic. I think I’ll stay with it in my posts for a while. In the mean time, I’d love to hear from you!
What do you see as the important factors concerning, technology - multimedia in the church?
Alan
Alan Chandler is a Consultant Partner with Church Doctor Ministries, a full-service church consultation ministry dedicated to helping Christians and churches become more effective for the Great Commission, to make disciples of all people. Alan can be reached at alanchandler@churchdoctor.org
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