In general, I like the use of video screens during worship services. Projecting hymn or song lyrics is helpful. Scripture verses can be read corporately, though I do prefer to use my Bible whenever possible. Sermon outlines can be followed. Videos can be shown during announcements or to illustrate a thought in the message. I consider these uses to be validly informative and not for the general entertainment of the congregation.
However, there seems a point when projecting a live image of the pastor while he is preaching is just flat out distracting and borders on entertainment. For all its useful potential, television is primarily an entertainment medium. I hate the idea of “church” on television. I hate that my attention in church is drawn from the pastor himself to a large video screen of him preaching. I hate that I can see him preaching in front of the screen and my attention is still drawn to the video feed. The room really isn’t that big, but he might as well be in a back room with a green screen and props… wait, let me settle into my reclining chair with my Bible, a cup of coffee and a donut.
So please… turn off the video feed in the worship center during the sermon. I understand that it’s useful for the monitors out in the hallways, but please, don’t create an unneeded distraction in the relationship between pastor and his congregation.
2 Comments
At the church where I’m a member, they use the video for in the lobby and also for baptisms, since the baptistry is located at the side of the main worship center. I find it helpful. I can also see using video behind the preacher if he’s in a huge stadium or something, but I’d agree with your reluctance about using it when not really needed. I’m uneasy with the idea of churches franchising themselves so that people can meet in Arizona and watch Pastor X on screen from his other church in Illinois. Here’s why I’m uneasy:
**How can a pastor tend to the needs of a flock that he doesn’t see regularly?
**Does this not communicate in a host of ways that the church is dependent on that preacher, not on the Lord? I realize that the preacher may not want that to be the message, but the message still would seem to be there.
**Such churches will make it extra-hard for the cause of the Lord if one of those pastors fails in some spectacular way. I’m not sure that’s happened with the franchised preachers yet, but it seems very likely to occur in the not-too-distant future.
Thanks for the thoughts, Jim. I agree that a video screen is helpful in a very large setting where the preacher would otherwise be the size of an ant, but this is an ordinary sanctuary. Yes, a little of an odd size as they’ve clearly expanded a bit since it was originally built, but the sight lines aren’t obstructed in any way.
Interesting that you mention the “franchise churches”. John Piper’s ministry is based here in Minneapolis and his church, Bethlehem Baptist, has added two campuses in northern and southern suburbs. The website says that:
The supporting graphic shows a congregation watching a video feed of a pastor, presumably from the “main campus” in downtown Minneapolis. So there’s a live band and video sermon – no thanks.