Online Media in worship

I realize there is an ongoing debate about worship styles. Some think only traditional worship is appropriate some think only contemporary is effective. I personally think if you are worshiping the triune God and using his Word to do so you are worshiping correctly no matter what type of instruments or music that involves. This however, is not what I am going to talk about today. Instead I am looking at the utilization of new media in worship, not just new music.

It is clear that (generally) the generations under 30 in our society communicate and interact much differently than the previous generations. The cause of this new communication is mainly technology such as cell phones and the internet. I am attempting to view these new technologies as tools rather than a symbol or instrument of right or wrong behavior. The technologies are here and people use them, and it is how they are used that will determine any degree of morality or usefulness to them-not the technologies themselves. My suggestion is that we utilize these technologies in worship. If people are using them anyway, why not use them in a way of serving each other with the Word in worship?

This whole concept stems from my belief that our society has moved on yet again. I believe that we are no longer an aural society, nor a visual society, nor even a mixed media society. I believe we have entered into a stage of interactive society or collaborative society. the speed of information and the readily available means to participate in online media such as Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc, has given people the ability to have a stake or part in everything.Worship can be the same.

Instead of telling youth to turn off their cellphones and refrain form texting and tweeting during church why not have a live twitter feed in worship. This will allow people to express their thoughts about a given song, prayer, sermon, etc.

This concept could even be extended to the format of the service itself. With a little training, pastors could be taught to compose sermons with very little prep time. During the service a scripture lesson could be read then people could text or tweet questions to the pastor who then picks one or two of them and composes a 5-7min sermon corresponding to them during a song or hymn. This could then be done two or three times during the service. This would then keep the focus of the service on the Word and still give the congregation a way of participating in the service. They would now have a stake in it.

Please keep in mind this is not intended to replace the liturgy or replace any part of the service, it is merely an exploration of how to utilize new media into our worship services as a means of helping the people communicate in the ways they are best able to do so.

Any Comments are encouraged.