Technology and Worship: Oil & Water or Hand and Glove?

“All who use a sword will be killed by a sword.”-Matthew 26:52.  I guess one can also say the same thing about technology.  Technology is a wonderful tool to assist in proclaiming the gospel; it can also be the Achilles’ heel of any pastor.  Anyone who has ever tried to use PowerPoint or other digital media during worship knows the benefits as well as the drawbacks when things go wrong—and things will go wrong!

Now, I am not opposed to using PowerPoint, teleprompters, digital music, etc. during worship, but I always remember that technology doesn’t take center stage.  Faith still comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17) and not through glitzy gadgets that will impress middle-schoolers! Technology is a great tool.  It is a means to an end and not the end in and of itself.  Too often, I have seen pastors who have not been prepared when the AV guy or gal in the booth is faced with computer glitches and the whole worship service comes to a grinding halt while those in the pews wait for the system to reboot.  Or at weddings when the couple wants “Uncle Charlie” to use his CD player to provide music accompaniment during the service, only to play “Back in Black” instead of “Canon in D.”

There are a lot of horror stories like these when it comes to technology being used during worship.  These stories range from the low-tech (faulty lavaliere mics) to the high-tech (PowerPoint projectors not working).   I have found that in these instances, one has to be very adaptable and have contingency plans in place, as well as the ability to adapt as seamlessly as possible.  “all who use technology [may] be killed by technology,” especially if you rely on technology to carry your worship service.

This is not to say that technology (especially high-tech) has no place in worship, I think it does.  But the biggest difference between no-tech and high-tech worship always comes down to planning, preparation and implementation. 

I would be interested in hearing your comments and/or experiences with using technology in worship.  Please post your comments!

Peace,