Worship Leader Magazine: Technology Bonus Issue Part 1

Our Worship Pastor recently passed on to me his Worship Leader Magazine bonus issue still wrapped in plastic. He said, "This is technical stuff so you can have it". I thought sure, why not. I enjoy reading anything about technology in churches. Now that I have read a few articles, when I'm finished I think I will recommend some for him to read.

This is not a magazine that I'm going to read on a regular basis so I think I will take a few posts to talk about some articles that I have read. I would link to an online version but I quickly found out that Worship Leader Magazine does not put the full article on their web site. They put excerpts (teaser) of articles with a link at the bottom to subscribe to the magazine.

The first article of note is "Ancient Psalms and Modern Technology" by Dr. Mark Roberts. Dr. Roberts is Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, CA. He has authored several books including "Dare to be True", "Jesus Revealed" and his newest "No Holds Barred" . Dr. Roberts is also a blogger.

His article is based on Psalm 150:1-6 in which we are instructed to praise God for His many attributes in many different ways with many different things. Dr. Roberts paraphrased Psalm 150 in this way:

Praise the LORD!
Praise Him with digital projectors and media display software.
Praise Him with portable audio systems and giant speaker clusters.
Praise Him with wireless microphones and workstation keyboards.
Praise Him with multi-effects, floor pedals and MIDI software.
Let everything that has electronic circuits praise the Lord.
Praise the LORD!

I love it! I know that I try to instill in my ministry team that just like musicians using instruments for worship we are also using a instrument to worship. The premise of the article is that we should use everything at our disposal to praise God including technology.

Dr. Roberts warns that when we do use technology we should ask ourselves if it is adding to God's praise or detracting from it? That is a fine line that we walk. We must constantly ask ourselves if our technology is drawing people to a deeper sense of worship or is it drawing attention to itself. Although I have come to discover that what is distracting to one person may not even be noticed by another. Nevertheless we should always strive to eliminate any distractions whatsoever. We know, for example, that audio feedback and the wrong lyrics on the screen are definitely a distraction to everyone. Also, as is the case in our church, you may have a portion of your congregation behind you so you should be mindful of your movements.

Dr. Roberts also instructs that we should know our congregation. Your congregation might not be ready for some of the technology that is being used today. I know that some churches use very creative lighting rigs and controllers that really set a mood. The sanctuary in my church was built in 1920 and I think some of our members were there for the dedication. They have a mood that lights are for seeing and not for creativity I have come to find out. Of course I also learned that the electrical wiring in our sanctuary is not conducive to high wattage lighting anyway.

In conclusion, Dr. Roberts and I agree if we desire that God be praised in all that we do then we will be led by the Holy Spirit to implement or not implement what technologies are right for our congregations.





Thank you again Dr. Roberts for your permission to use certain excerpt for this review.