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Cheers and Jeers of Technology in Worship

By Dr. Mark D. Roberts and Chuck Smith Jr.

The "Pros" of Using Technology in Worship
By Dr. Mark D. Roberts

Usually I'm on the "open-but-cautious" side of the technology in the service of worship issue, so it's been a good exercise to focus exclusively on the "pros" without the "cons." At first I began thinking about the obvious benefits of using technology: sound amplification, digital projection, sampled sounds, and so on. But then I started reflecting on the wider implications of technology in worship.

Time
For example, using technology in worship can save time. It wasn't long ago when, if you wanted to print a song in a worship bulletin, you had to type the whole thing by hand (or have it typeset, if you could afford it). Now, in 10 seconds, you can do a cut and paste, saving several minutes.

Budget
Technology can also save lots of money. For example, pipe organs cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. You can get a top-of-the-line digital organ for much, much less. Likewise, producing bulletins was once a costly endeavor. Desktop publishing has made it cheap, and digital projection has often made it unnecessary.

Communication
Technology has improved communication among worship team members. Snail mail and phone tag used to be the order of the day. Now, e-mail, cell phones and the like make communication easier and quicker. The result can be both more and more-advanced communication.

Creativity
Technology has fostered greater creativity in worship. It wasn't long ago when visual art was rare in many worship settings because it required so much time, money and expertise. Now, the combination computer and projector has opened the door to fresh visual expressions. Similarly, diverse musical orchestrations are now possible with a bit of midi equipment and expertise.

Opportunity
Technology has leveled the economic playing field, giving smaller and less wealthy churches the opportunity to do aesthetically and musically delightful things that were once reserved for large, wealthy churches. In years past, only a few congregations could pay for elaborate stained glass windows or inspiring orchestral music. Most churches had neither the money nor the time to enrich their worship in these ways. Now the options are far greater for churches. Sure, those with more resources will still have more options with art and music, but technology lets smaller churches get into the game.

Outreach
Technology helps draw unchurched people into worship. The people in our culture that we're trying to reach with the gospel live in a hi-tech world. If we're going to connect with them, especially the younger generations, we need to speak their language, even when this includes video, blogs, podcasting, web-streaming, and so on. In recent new members classes at my church, the majority of participants had found and/or checked out our church on the Internet before their first visit. Most had scrutinized my Web site as well. Some had even listened to my sermons (which can be streamed from our church Web site). Not only does technology make such outreach possible, it is required if we're going to reach those in the world around us.


Dr. Mark D. Roberts is senior pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church, and the author of several books. Mark's daily blog and his writings on various topics, including several articles on worship are available at his Web site: markdroberts.com. Mark's devotional site is thedailypsalm.com.


Technology: Caveat Emptor
By Chuck Smith, Jr.

Several years ago I visited missionaries from our church living in Central America. While there, they took me to a small village to attend a tent revival. Before the meeting began, I noticed that the electronic speakers were enormous. Although there were no more than 20 or 25 people present, the preacher stood on a tall, broad stage and shouted into a microphone that amplified his voice loud enough for the whole village to hear him. This is what these people had learned from North American evangelists who held revival meetings in Latin America: big stage, big voice and big sound.

Center of Attention
My point is not that we can incorporate too much (or useless) technology in our worship services-everyone is aware of that danger-but that technology has a tendency to draw attention to itself. This tendency increases as the technology increases and becomes more sophisticated. As a result, people who visit megachurches go home to tell their friends about the large video screens, lighting system, changeable stage props, and so on.

The Greek word "techne" was used prior to the time of Christ to describe an art, skill or craft. Obviously God was not adverse to the use of technology in Israel's worship, for the tabernacle and temple reflected both the beauty of the artisan's handiwork as well as his skillful use of tools in the manufacturing of materials (e.g., Exodus 39:3). But there were limits to technological innovations, and any attempt to offer strange fire or handle the things of God in an unauthorized manner was soundly rejected (Leviticus 10:1-2; 2 Samuel 6:6-7).

Tool of the Trade
Therefore, it is our wisdom as worship leaders to understand the inherent dangers and limitations of technology, especially when dazzled by churches that have invested a lot of money and energy into creating spectacles. Technology is not a vehicle for taking us into the presence of God, but merely a tool, and like any power tool, it can be destructive if not handled with care. In fact the most important lesson regarding technology is to know when to unplug.

False Experience
One of the inherent dangers of technology is that it can be used to fabricate an experience. Worship that stirs the emotions always runs the risk of going no further-i.e., we are supposed to worship God in spirit. An experience that is driven by technology runs an even greater risk of leaving worshipers spiritually dry if the important elements of worship have not been incarnated. God uses people to lead and inspire people. A godly worship leader has an effect on the hearts and spirits of the worshipers that technology cannot duplicate.

Quantity over Quality
Technology can also exaggerate our experience. The role of technology is to enlarge and enhance-for example, it sends our voice further and perhaps gives it more force. Therefore, technology can give significant energy to a worship service that is poorly planned, mediocre, or may not even be biblical.

Needs and Wants
Technology has become a false confidence whenever we say, "What we really need is," and then name a product, gadget or instrument. The fact is we do not need drums, keyboard, lights, video projectors or computers in order to worship God. Christian believers who belong to spiritual communities such as the Russian Orthodox Church and the Church of Christ (non instrumental) worship God without musical instruments. The worship that God desires requires worshipers with hearts that draw close to Him, bodies that are surrendered to Him, and minds that exalt Him in spirit and in truth.

Last year a godly and wonderful young man was literally killed by his church's technology. While standing in water during a baptism, he grabbed a microphone and was electrocuted. At the very least, such an occurrence suggests that we use caution in the face of technology's ambivalent nature. For this reason, worship leaders and pastors should have a keen regard for the spiritual devotion and calling of the technicians who participate in the worship service. Everything that we do in the presence of God should proceed from spiritual giftedness and nothing should be done simply because it is a cool effect.

Chuck Smith, Jr. is an author (most recently Frequently Avoided Questions) and pastor of Capo Beach Calvary in Capistrano Beach, California.

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This is an excerpt from Worship Leader magazine. To read more articles like this - click here to subscribe.

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