I’m leading a workshop next month at Union Presbyterian Seminary, and I thought in typical wiki-fashion, I’d get some of your thoughts. The title of the workshop is “How Technology is Changing our Faith & Worship: Whether you Know it or Not” and this is the description:
So many churches today are feeling the pressure to become “relevant” and “hip” and use as much technology as possible in the midst of worship. We will discuss reasons why you should and shouldn’t use new forms of media in your church’s worship. We’ll also look at the ways in which the technology of our times can actually not only change the practices of our churches, but our theology as well – and whether that’s a good thing or not. Finally, we’ll look at some examples of practical ways that you can faithfully use technology in your worship gatherings.
I obviously have some thoughts on the issue, but I’d love to hear from you and your experiences with technology and worship and technology and faith.
As you think about the ways in which technology and social media have been rapidly changing our lives in the past few years, where do you see that most vividly with faith and worship? Are these positive changes? In what ways does technology help us go deeper with our faith, or allow us to enter into worship in new and more engaging ways?
Are there some ways in which it is negatively impacting our faith and worship? As an early-adopter and embracer of technology, sometimes I may not be able to see the negative ways as easily, so it would be helpful to hear from you all.
And finally, what are some of the most creative and engaging ways you’ve used technology in worship? I’m speaking about using it above-and-beyond displaying song lyrics using PowerPoint (not that there is anything wrong with that, but I think folks may be interested and hungry for more than that).