Church & Media

I just finished reading an article from the Washington Post all about churches and the use of media.

“Worship Goes Big-Screen and Hi-Fi, With Direct-Deposit Tithing”

“The stepped-up use of technology has changed the way people worship in a way that some parishioners and experts like and others don’t.”

This article is all about church and media; the stuff I love! There are several examples of fairly large sized churches, 2,000 and up members, who have incorporated “elaborate sound systems”, big screens and “flashy videos” to worship and preach their messages.

There are people from different churches somewhere in the Midwest saying that congregations that incorporate such media are really seeking to be more entertainment than true worship. They believe that having an audio system, even down to drum set is not necessary for worship and fellowship with God. Their argument is that church doesn’t need to change and involve these things into service because the church needs to “stand out” from the world and not look like the world.

I must say that I disagree with the idea that media used correctly, takes away from worship and fellowship with God. The notion that TV ministries, the use of the Internet to have webpage are wrong and not what God wants us to do is silly.

We are called to preach to Gospel to every living creature. The Great Commission is the go into the entire world and preach the good news of our Savior, Mark 16:15.

I think of the media that we use as an extension of ourselves and an extension of Pastor Rich or Pastor Doug. It is a way for us to spread the Word to places and people that we may not have had the chance to in person. Giving a CD of a message from a Wednesday night in Youth or a Sunday morning in main service to someone who wasn’t there is like giving them a chance to experience the Word of God as it was delivered by one of our pastors.

Just yesterday a guy named Rich (not Pastor Rich) came and told me how he has been witnessing to someone at his work (we’ll call him Guy because I didn’t get his name) with a somewhat negative response. Rich has been witnessing to Guy for a long time but it seems that Guy hasn’t really been listening to him and for sure isn’t interested in anything Rich has to say. Over time, since Rich has been consistent with witnessing to Guy, he has slowly become more interested in what Rich has to say and what has been going on with church. With MR. T just being here that was the first thing Rich thought to tell Guy about. Well little did Rich know that Guy was a HUGE fan of MR. T! Guy couldn’t believe that Rich hung out with MR. T and that he preached at our church. Seeing this as a great opportunity to witness, Rich told Guy he would bring him a DVD of the service. Guy could not believe it and is super excited to see it. I look forward to hear what happens or how responsive Guy is to MR. T’s message. Now that Guy has a DVD in his hand that he will be able to watch on his own time, he will be able to hear the Word God from MR. T and the incorruptible seed will be planted in his heart.

Now I have a question, what would have happened if we didn’t record our services? What would have happened if MR. T did come to our church and spoke, without a sound system because they are too worldly, and we didn’t record? What would Rich have done? Well he could have invited Guy from work to come to church that night. If he would have said no to that there would be nothing else Rich could do and Guy would have gone about his day not thinking anything more about it.

Without the media that we use from the projectors, sound system, the band, all video systems and computer systems we would have no way, besides word of mouth to extend the reach of our Pastor and the Word that is preached. Now I am not saying that the only way to witness to someone is through a CD or DVD but it can be a very useful tool. It can be used as a way to open the door for discussion with someone who isn’t saved.

I think Pastor Rich is doing a good job taking advantage of all the different ways the Internet offers for reaching out and spreading the Word. As we grow and learn more it will be a very vital tool.

Media in churches is not a bad thing. The only time that media becomes a bad thing is when it takes the place of true worship and the focus of a ministry shifts from winning souls to having the bestest, newest, shiny-est technology.

Church is a place to get equipped to take Jesus to the people that don’t know Him. The more ways you have to spread the Word the better. I left quite a bit out of this post but will be sure to add it later.

“Love God, love people, and win souls.” – Pastor Doug Bird

-waugh