Leadership Journal, Summer 2007The Tech Effect Technology is changing the way we preach.
Is this a good thing?
A Leadership Interview
Shane Hipps is pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to pastoral ministry, Shane had a career in advertising.
John Palmieri is a pastor of multi-cultural, multi-site, New Life Community Church in Chicago. Prior to pastoral ministry, he was involved in the food business.
Jarrett Stevens is director of the college and singles ministry, and teacher for 722 at North Point Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. Previously he served as a teaching pastor for Axis at Willow Creek Community Church.
Twenty-five years ago, the film Tron told the story of video game maker Ke
vin Flynn who was transplanted into the virtual universe within a computer. Flynn battled sinister digital forces to survive and partnered with friendly programs to discover a way back to the real world. Today, Tron's story appears prophetic. We find ourselves in a digital universe. Technology is more than merely a tool. It permeates every part of our existence—family, work, recreation, even worship.Initially, churches used video technology to put lyrics and images onto screens while singing. Pastors now are using these tools while preaching. PowerPoint, film clips, photos, and video are augmenting the spoken word, and in some cases replacing it. With the growth of video preaching, will the pastor, like Flynn from Tron, enter the machine and become part of a digital projection?
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Not too sure I should agree with that - as a preacher we are affected by the way the technology has been developing through times?? I have seen good preachers who would only use bible and their voice, heart and mike and yet produce a good conviction results on people. Good Preachers like Edmund CHan from CEFC, CHris CHia from ARPC ... they dun need mike and yet it's effective. Only I notice those weaker and boring preachers would use those technology to make it interesting and clear messages to audience.
ReplyDeletehi lee chee keat,
ReplyDeleteI guess it boils down to good communicators and their tools. Technology has always been a tool for a good communicator.
If technology becomes the master, then communicator is in trouble.
yeah, technology should only support and not take over. If the pastors speaking skills are limited, using technology could help but with a big condition - that he is very, very well versed with technology.
ReplyDeletehi pearlie,
ReplyDeleteI agree. Unfortunately, many pastors are becoming so dependent on the powerpoint with its bells and whistles, that technology has become the master.
If a pastor spends more time making his powerpoint than in making his sermon, we are in trouble.
then we will have powerpoint Christians. Hmmm ... i wonder how many different meanings we can make out of it!!
ReplyDeletepower Christian points
ReplyDelete