tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post6793607418205852034..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Technology in Worship -- Benefit and DrawbacksPastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-43195198459847799752010-07-13T07:45:20.425-05:002010-07-13T07:45:20.425-05:00When the Church is filled with technophiiles, just...When the Church is filled with technophiiles, just what is the object of worship? Fr. Peters, I haven't been keeping up with the convention; I tend to depression without aids. <br /><br />I have lived with video screens in my former Baptist life (even in the Reformed Baptist church), but a screen in the Altar?! What did they do when it wasn't in use? Did they project a green screen with symbols on it, or an interpretation of Jesus' face? <br /><br />I can understand the arguments for visually impaired folk reading the screen more easily. I can understand the fact that heads are up in a better position for singing. I can see there could be arguments for it being an aid in mental impairment (Alzheimer's). However, (and not to make little of the disabilities of our members - I have MS), there are some disabilities that make holding a hymnal easier. Also, we are not filled with over 50% of folk with disabilities. Readers can catch my drift...<br /><br />The Regulative principle of worship (nothing in worship not in Scripture) does solve some worship issues. Since we worship under the Normative principle (i.e. adiaphora), we have to be much more diligent and discerning.<br /><br />It just seems to me that when things become ridiculous, like cellphones with silly ringtones, and screens in the altar we ought to be able to say, "Enough!"Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-91413440824349403022010-07-12T21:18:04.930-05:002010-07-12T21:18:04.930-05:00Your little dumb sheep forget to turn off their ph...Your little dumb sheep forget to turn off their phones. Help the sheep out by making by making an announcement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-46301468165356942392010-07-12T15:15:06.911-05:002010-07-12T15:15:06.911-05:00Pastor McCain, I would agree on 'needing' ...Pastor McCain, I would agree on 'needing' electricity to worship the Lord. <br /><br />I haven't considered whether having the liturgy on a projection screen is helpful to those who are in the early stages of Alzheimer's. <br /><br />In the long run what is best for them (for all) is consistency in our Liturgy and hence that Liturgy is comitted to long term memory. <br /><br />Most Pastors can tell of members who cannot remember the names of their children, but can still recite the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's Creed, and the confession of sins. Though their memory fails, God the Holy Spirit still dwells in them.Rev. Allen Bergstrazernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-46096225569056170272010-07-12T13:17:01.096-05:002010-07-12T13:17:01.096-05:00The seven volumes of the Large Print Hymnal proved...The seven volumes of the Large Print Hymnal proved very trying for one of the older members of our congregation. I had to sit down with him and his wife and show them how it worked. He was much happier when I started using Lutheran Service Builder to make him a giant print booklet for each service. I think he would have been happy with projection, too. <br /><br />I wonder if projection is helpful for those in the still-at-home stages of Altzheimers? Any experience from those of you using them to project liturgy and hymns?<br /><br />Finally, just a reminder that one of the reasons liturgy exists is so that the illiterate can also participate in the service.Pr. Chris Hinklehttp://stpaulwapello.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-28315707346906123062010-07-12T11:28:50.662-05:002010-07-12T11:28:50.662-05:00I love an analog worship service what a blessed co...I love an analog worship service what a blessed contrast to the digital world that batters one about incessantly.<br /><br />I would venture the power of each to save souls is equal. Analog harks back to when we used to PASS the time and digital is from the present in which we SPEND the time.ErnestOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13077415409728022160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-45552638776089311752010-07-12T10:30:28.812-05:002010-07-12T10:30:28.812-05:00There are large print hymnals available.There are large print hymnals available.Carl Vehsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00348831096001668813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-90525311268126572552010-07-12T10:28:52.252-05:002010-07-12T10:28:52.252-05:00Perhaps a good rule of thumb would be, generally s...Perhaps a good rule of thumb would be, generally speaking, that if you must have electricity to conduct the Sunday morning Divine Service, you might have a problem, or a potential problem.Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-65441310729466312762010-07-12T10:18:21.022-05:002010-07-12T10:18:21.022-05:00Rev. Bergstrazer:
That was going to be my point a...Rev. Bergstrazer:<br /><br />That was going to be my point as well: You have to draw the line with technology at the point where it starts to be a crutch.<br /><br />My parish uses its two big video screens heavily during worship. It never ceases to crack me up when the congregation will suddenly stop singing during a hymn except for maybe the 5 to 10 of us who use the hymnal because PowerPoint decided to freeze up.Jesse Pennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15598903902371142673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-55012204127707749752010-07-12T09:56:08.921-05:002010-07-12T09:56:08.921-05:00^ The other thing to beware of is when Rev. Bergst...^ The other thing to beware of is when Rev. Bergstrazer posts and doesn't spell check. :) Never know when I'm going to revert back to my native tongue of dyslexia.Rev. Allen Bergstrazernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-86210972577898868292010-07-12T09:52:11.887-05:002010-07-12T09:52:11.887-05:00What we should beware of when we use of technology...What we should beware of when we use of technology in the church is at what point does it stop being a tool and becomes a crutch, when does it goe from being a medium to being a means. <br /><br />I serve in a congregation that uses video screens to display the order of service and hymns. It is very helpful for the members who have poor eyesight, and have trouble following through the service. <br /><br /> The downside is that dependence on the screens leads to ignorance of the Hymnal. Video screens are hardly the end all and be all, especially if they're retro-fitted to a traditional sanctuary. If you have a long and narrow church, those screens will appear smaller than the actual printed words in the Hymnal when you're sitting in the back of the church. Also, the hymnal is indespensable when introducing a new hymn. And then there are those days when the computer crashes, Power Point doesn't understand what Lutheran Service Builder is saying, or the power simply goes out and you thank God that there is one thing you can always be sure of; you don't have to plug in the hymnal and it will never have a software problem. <br /><br />I've taken to having services from time to time without the video screens to keep our noses in the hymnal. There are services in which I will under no circumstances use a video screen. <br /><br />I've always been concerned about the technology itself (such as screens or instruments) having a more prominent place, or being larger than the altar. But being a part of the altar? Lord have mercy.Rev. Allen Bergstrazernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-31056800712340001642010-07-12T09:47:32.739-05:002010-07-12T09:47:32.739-05:00Pastor Peters, I am continually impressed at the q...Pastor Peters, I am continually impressed at the quality, quantity and variety of your articles.<br /><br />We have started using ppt in worship for the words of hymns and Scripture readings. We use a blank, white wall behind the lectern to project. It has helped us reduce paper in bulletins and has actually helped our singing because people are looking up at the wall and not down at the hymnal. <br /><br />I guess my rule of thumb about how much is too much is to ask myself, "What would happen if the power went out?". <br />Could we still sing the hymns or are they to complicated without the organ? Can I still deliver the main points of the sermon or is its deliver completely dependent upon the illustration? Can we still gather around God's means of grace and participate in the liturgy, or have too many hymnal been remove from the pews in order to make room for more children's scribble pads?<br /><br />Anyway, my 2 cents (from my Blackberry. :-). ). Thanks.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13013921386098199810noreply@blogger.com