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Social Media in Worship

  • Thread starter Thread starter Works4Him
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Works4Him

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So, I'm sort of curious to see what others here feel about incorporating media into their worship experience. I know in the title I specifically spelled out social media, but I'm really curious about all areas of media ministry. For example, what are your thoughts on a Church using podcasts or video podcasts to deliver their sermons online? How about using videos on Sunday during worship? What is your thought on churches setting up social media pages (through MySpace, FaceBook, YouTube, etc...) for outreach? How about the incorporation of social media into worship itself? Some churches have started allowing members to tweetduring services, etc...

I suppose ultimately what I'm getting at is where do you see technology's place to be in worship? In outreach in general?

I have some thoughts on this subject, but I really want to hear from others first.
 
I am all for technology to be used for worship. Let's face it. It allows more people to hear the gospel, and have a greater opportunity to respond to it. The internet especially opens up a lot of possibilities that before never existed or possibly never dreamed of.

Our church puts audio recordings of sermons up on the website, and we have facebook pages and podcasts etc. We usually show one video in a service. And of course, sites like this couldn't exist without the technology of internet and computers. I wouldn't have given and received heapso of adivce and encouragement from fellow Christians on here if it wasn't for this forum. I can communicate with heaps of other Chrstians from all around the world. It's amazing, and very encouraging.

But we do have to be careful (with the internet especially) as it opens up lots of bad things like pornography. So use it wisely, and remember that there are people who do abuse the internet.

So my verdict: go for the worship technology. It's awesome; you can outreach to so many more people, but beware as other can be abusing the technology.

my :twocents
 
I don't see a problem with Christian ministries utilizing modern technology to spread the Gospel.
 
I think it's great!! The more people we can reach with our message the better imo.
 
GojuBrian said:
I think it's great!! The more people we can reach with our message the better imo.
Click to expand...
couldn't agree more! :thumb
 
I'm pretty much in agreement with everyone so far. I'm sort of the "Chief Volunteer" at our Church in the worship ministry, specifically the tech related aspects of it. We just opened up our new auditorium a few months ago, and I'm deeply hoping that we're going to be moving towards using more of this to draw people in. That's what I'm trying to see what average non-tech folks think abut it. I'm trying to make sure I don't just like it because it's my personal "thing"
 
You know, I think that there is a time for corporate worship and a time to share the gospel. Worship time should be a time when the focus is to gather with other believers to worship God and encourage each other through the sacraments, the word, prayer, and the singing of psalms. Sure, if non-believers are there it can and should be a time when they not only hear the gospel proclaimed but see the gospel's fruit being born out within the Body. But, I believe and believe strongly that our worship services are for the Body and the Head to be reconnected, renewed and uplifted.

The sharing of the gospel is vitally important, it is our "work", not "work" towards salvation, but our response to our salvation. But, it is not the sum total of who we are anymore than being a doctor is the sum total of someone's whose profession is in the medical field. At some time or another the doctor, soldier, butcher, baker and candlestick maker needs to come home, be nurtured and encouraged by loved ones and renewed in order to go back out into the world once more to do the appointed tasks.

I believe this is what the body gathers together for, and the reason why Paul said not to neglect the gathering. One of the things that I do like about my church is that every service ends with one of the kids snuffing out the candles on the altar. However, before the last candle is snuffed, the child lights the wick that is attached to the snuffer. Then the child carries the light out of the sanctuary. This is to symbolize that we, as a body, are leaving our time of worship and fellowship and are then to take the light of God's love out into the world with us as we leave.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not making a blanket condemnation of technology or media in worship here. I'm just asking that we keep in mind just why it is we gather together.

I guess my approach to media during a worship service would be to ask if things like tweeting and podcasts result in the body being more connected to God and the brethren or does it just make for a better time? Do those "friends" on Facebook really become loving brothers and sisters who, like iron sharping iron, strengthen and equip each other towards love and good works, or it is just a way to show all the other "friends" on Facebook how popular we are on Facebook?

Just some thoughts to consider.
 
State-of-the-art sound systems, lights, smoke machines, graphic displays behind the projected words of each song...

I went to a mega-church for a long time that employed all these things during worship. It was basically a concert (The Desperation Band) every Sunday morning. But at the same time, the Spirit of God was so powerful in that place of worship.

I think the presentation was overdone, and I hate to think of how much the whole system cost (I'm thinking 7 figures? But maybe not quite that much) - and how much could have been done to help the poor, widowed, and orphaned of the world with that money.
 
You say the Spirit of God was so powerful in that place. What makes you say that?
 
I was able to worship with more of my heart, mind, soul, strength in that place. I felt transported to the mercy seat of God. I believe that church is annointed by God for worship. They weren't just songs. They were love songs to my Creator that I deeply felt and believed. When I go to my mother-in-law's Methodist church, I feel like I'm in a echo chamber.

I guess for me it was a place where I personally felt more comfortable to put aside pretense and open up my heart to what the Lord is speaking to me, and put myself in a position of what I think is a more honest and meaningful worship experience.
 
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