Fresh Eyes from a Visitor: The Tech Scene

by William Cowles

Talking about technology in church can be a slippery slope. For the record, I love technology! There are many others, however – including some pastors – who feel it’s the devil’s gateway.

Throughout human history, each generation has embraced its own style of music, dismissed that of their parents, and stressed over that of their children. Those whose first out of body experience came through the radio never thought television would catch on. The TV generation was slow to adapt to computers. Now we’re faced with digital animation, live streaming, holographic projection, and mind-blowing special effects that stretch even the most furtive imaginations. But, does it belong in church?

Of course it does. As long as it’s being used well and for the right reasons. Does it honor God? Does it enhance the worshiper’s experience? Does it add value? People who are visiting churches for the first time are going to form one of two first impressions: 1) This feels familiar and comfortable; 2) This doesn’t look or sound like the world I live in. Technology can help create the experiences that make people feel at ease in a new (and, perhaps intimidating) church environment. Or, it can turn people off and away in a split second because it does not resonate with their personal experiences.

As we have visited churches and observed their practices, we have seen and heard it all – from powerful, inspiring, and heart-tugging to tired, boring, and numbing. And don’t forget the plain crude, loud, and offensive. Technology escalates the opportunities for the good to be great, but also for the bad to be terrible.
One size, style, or flavor never fits all, but we have observed a few key things about how to do technology well in church:

• Visuals – Keep them simple. The purpose of on-screen messages – whether they’re on the flat screens in the gathering area or the big screens in the worship center – is to communicate. When slides are crammed with as much text as will fit, eyes glaze over at the strain of trying to read it all. When clever, complex graphics are used to decorate the message, they often miss the point waiting for people to figure out what the images are and why they’re there. When artistic designers use hard-to-read colors for text and hard-to-distinguish colors, textures, and patterns for backgrounds, readers lose focus straining to bring it all into focus.
• Music – Help people sing along. Singing is worshiping and it should be participative, not just a passive concert. In his insightful blog, Why Men Have Stopped Singing in Church, David Murrow observes: “And so the church has returned to the 14th century. Worshippers stand mute as professional-caliber musicians play complex instruments, sung in an obscure language.” When high output amplifiers rock the senses, the lyrics on the screens are not familiar, and the beat and tune of the music isn’t melodic, worship leaders have to take extra care to teach and coach people on how to participate. Yes, it takes more time, but it also creates more positive energy among all the people – not just the musicians!
• Videos – Hit their funny bones. People will tolerate a few long, intense, message-laden videos. But, not many. Humor is a good tool to engage a church searching visitor. Get ‘em laughing and their bodies release endorphins that make them feel good. What’s wrong with that? Use (or produce) a few very good, short, funny, poignant or pointed videos and use them sparingly. Use them to punctuate your points, not explain them. Use them to make people laugh.

The fresh eyes of visitors will be watching how the churches they visit use technology, and they will know immediately if it’s being used for God’s purposes or for the sake of spectacle alone. They will know quickly if the way you use technology in worship is good enough to make a return visit.