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Video screens, Powerpoint, filmclips

Discussion in 'Free-For-All Archives' started by Alcott, Oct 21, 2003.

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  1. Alcott

    Alcott Well-Known Member
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    Although about 8 years ago I switched from a church with 200 in one morning service to one currently with around 2000+ in 3 morning services, I tend to think having video and Powerpoint presentations almost all service long is a current trend unlikely to be reversed.

    Along with the musical "prelude," there are photos, drawings, acronyms, or scripture verses, going all the time. Then when the service actually starts, even though hymnals are in the racks, there seems to be no need of them; not only because we don't sing many 'hymns' that they contain, but the lyrics are posted on the video screens. Then there may be a video presentation where a churh member shares a word or 'testimony'-- as if they can't do that live, in-person-- or sometimes a clip from a movie or documentary to 'illustrate' a point in the upcoming sermon, or a promotional bit from a mission organization. During the sermon the scripture passages(s) and outline are shown, and sometimes the clips are inserted at that time. Then during the offering, sometimes another filmclip or artistic presentation accompanies the music or singing. And finally, we have just recently started showing the photos of new member candidates, who came in the invitation the week before (or earlier than that) to vote them 'in' then, instead of when they first came forward.

    I am not stating a position 'for' or 'against' all this video screen use, but I can say that this might be another trend to reduce the amount of personal involvement for the average person in a worship service. We don't look up hymns or Bible verses on our own (unless we just want to); we don't try to visualize the preacher's illustrations or the subject of the music, because someone else's idea of such is put on the screen; and if we have anything to say to the assembly usually it's done by videocamera, where we can do any number of 'takes' to make it look right.

    Does your church make such use of video screens, and what is your opinion as to their value or 'unvalue'?
     
    #1 Alcott, Oct 21, 2003
  2. trying2understand

    trying2understand New Member

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    In the local Baptist church, there is a strong trend in that direction. Even though the total church membership is about 200, Power Point, slides, overheads, etc. is used almost every service.

    The youth group often meets at our house and the same thing goes, only using the DVD player or VCR instead.

    At our Catholic Church, a taped presentation is only given on the rare Sunday that there is a message from the Archbishop to all the diocese. This happens once a year, if that, and is a supplement to Father's homily.

    I question the value of it considering that the focus of gathering at the Church for Sunday service should be worship.

    It may have it's uses in study situations, but I suspect that it is less effective than traditional insturction methods which require interaction.
     
    #2 trying2understand, Oct 21, 2003
  3. Jude

    Jude <img src=/scott3.jpg>

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    My objection to these things (what might be called the 'Willowcreeking' of the church [​IMG] )is that we no-longer have worship, instead, we have high-tech entertainment. As for me, I prefer structured liturgy, and music with reverence and dignity, sung, yes, from a hymnal. Each man should follow his own conscience regarding the above, but I never could feel comfortable, never feel that I am worshipping at your church.
     
    #3 Jude, Oct 21, 2003
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