The Pastor and his Bible

I do both, so what does that mean? I think it means i want people who have a Bible to read it and those who don't have a Bible read it also.

I put other verses on the screen (usually 10 or so) and would rather people look at the screen and keep up with what is being said rather than get lost trying to find Habakkuk.

I use the stuff on the screen and written fil in the blank notes because people remember more if they see, hear and write than if they just hear.

 

I like the verses up on the screen.

 

It's a really good question. We do several things:

1. We always talk about looking in your Bible, circle this, underline that, write this, etc we ask people to stay tied to the text.

2. We don't put our main passages (other than citation) up on the screens but will put secondary passages up.

3. We talk about turning here or going there, how we talk about our passages is as important as anything else.

4. We post all pub content online

 

I carry my Bible, but often I will just listen. That's the way it was originally heard, and I like to participate in that tradition.

 

My pastor begins by saying "Please turn to........" and then he reads the passage. Other scripture within his message are referenced to book, chapter, and verse which encourages following along individually. As for the screen? After the song service, where hymns are projected, his delivery is projected so those who have no visual contact because of others heads or other obstacles can still see.

I've always enjoyed finding the scripture and reading silently along. I think the more senses we involve in a learning /receiving situation, the better the retention. One may just listen..... but the other 'senses' are then available for distraction. With the ears comes the hearing; with the eyes comes the sight and confirmation that the words are correctly read and the understanding takes part; with the turning of the pages the sense of touch is engaged as well as the mind for becoming familiar with the order of the book on which words our faith grows.

 

We do not have a projection system. My pastor is young but rather old fashion on these things. So even if we had a projection system I think he would still use his Bible and ask us to use ours. He preaches out of the King James Version. Around here a young pastor preaching from the KJV is not unusual, but I think it is somewhat unusual nationally.

Even if we did use a screen, I would still use my Bible. I love to hold a book when I am reading it. I'm not into the electronic books (etc).

 

"Please open your laptops or electronic device of choice ...."

I don't mind using the screen, but always carry my Bible.

 

The reason I like the screen is that the text is usually just one or two verses, and I don't see why I should bother looking up one or two verses and sitting there with my Bible open for the rest of the sermon.

Yes, I do take notes on the sermon but not in my Bible.

 

Everyone and every church is different. There have been times I have just done away with the fill in the blank notes and stuff and I have more people asking for them. There is often the problem (for us) that after the last blank is filled people tend to put it away and sometimes close their Bibles (and their mind). It's a difficult balance that seems to work better with what we have. And, of course, your mileage will vary.

 

Most of our people are older so they are not real computer literate. But in our 2nd service, the more contemporary service, we have several people whose Bible is on their laptop. But sometimes I have a sneaking suspicion they are checking their email. :laugh:

 

What happens when "the Spirit leads" a preacher to vary from the prepared powerpoint script? Do you have a special "rabbit trail" slide you can insert or do you just keep the last slide there while he or she rambles on and on about something else?

 

These off the wall messages are nothing new. See Daniel 5:5:laugh: