T E C H N O L O G Y I N W O R S H I PL I S A A L W I N E , L I Z C A R V E R , B R A D E D W A R D S , J O R D A N G I B S O N , K A T H Y S C H O E N

A G E N D A1 B E N E F I T O F T E C H N O L O G Y I N W O R S H I P

W I T H L I S A A L P I N E

2 D A N G E R S / P I T F A L L S O F T E C H N O L O G Y I N W O R S H I P

W I T H J O R D A N G I B S O N

3 H E L P F U L T H E O L O G I C A L F R A M E W O R K F O R I N T E R A C T I N G W I T H T E C H N O L O G Y

W I T H K A T H Y S C H O E N

4 T H E R E L A T I O N S H I P O F T E C H N O L O G Y T O O T H E R C O M P O N E N T S O F W O R S H I P

W I T H L I Z C A R V E R

5 P R A C T I C A L S U G G E S T I O N S & E X A M P L E S O F A H E A L T H Y I N T E G R A T I O N I N W O R S H I P

W I T H B R A D E D W A R D S

Let’s get started.

B E N E F I T S O F T E C H N O L O G Y I N

W O R S H I P

TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP SET THE MOOD FOR A

WORSHIP SERVICE, ESPECIALLY THE SLIDE ON

THE SCREEN WHEN PEOPLE WALK INTO THE

SANCTUARY.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTION CAN ENHANCE THE

WORSHIP EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE BY ALLOWING

THEM TO CONNECT SPIRITUALLY IN A DIFFERENT

MANNER.

AN EXAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTION FROM

GROUP MEMBER KATHY’S CHURCH IN CALIFORNIA

IMAGES USED ON SCREENS CAN BE A MEDIUM THROUGH WHICH A

PERSON CAN CONNECT MORE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND TO THE

MESSAGE OF CHRIST.

MOST CHURCHES NOW INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY

IN WORSHIP THROUGH DIGITAL PROJECTION OF

SOME FORMAT.

SCRIPTURE CAN BE PROJECTED FOR PEOPLE TO

FOLLOW ALONG MORE EASILY. THIS CAN SAVE

THE CHURCH MONEY ON PURCHASING PEW

BIBLES AS WELL AS MAKE THE SERVICE EASIER

TO FOLLOW FOR THE CONGREGATION.

S O M E O N E

U N F A M I L I A R W I T H

C H U R C H C A N F E E L

M O R E C O N N E C T E D

A N D F O L L O W

A L O N G B E T T E R I F

E V E R Y T H I N G I N

O N T H E S C R E E N .

VISITORS OR MEMBERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE

LORD’S PRAYER MEMORIZED CAN PARTICIPATE IF

THE WORDS ARE PROJECTED FOR THEM.

IF THE LYRICS ARE ON THE SCREEN, THE FOCUS WILL

REMAIN ON WORSHIP INSTEAD OF LOOKING THROUGH

HYMNALS FOR THE CORRECT SONG. SCREENS HELP

PEOPLE LEARN THE WORDS TO SONGS AS WELL.

PROJECTING LYRICS ALSO LOWERS COSTS BY

NOT HAVING TO PURCHASE UPDATED HYMNALS,

WHICH CAN BE COSTLY, AS THEY ARE UPDATED

OFTEN.

THERE ARE MANY STYLES FOR PROJECTING

LYRICS, SCRIPTURE AND SERMON NOTES. WHAT’S

IMPORTANT IS CONSISTENCY. PICK A STYLE AND

STICK WITH IT.

ANNOUNCEMENTS CAN RUN BEFORE THE

SERVICE SO THAT PAPER BULLETINS CAN BE

SMALLER (SAVES MONEY ON PRINTING COSTS).

TECHNOLOGY CAN ENHANCE OTHER

MINISTRIES AS WELL.

Youth Sunday Children’s Choirs

N O N - L O C A L

M I S S I O N A R Y A N D

O R P H A N A G E

V I D E O S O R

P I C T U R E S C A N B E

S H O W N I N

S E R V I C E S T O R A I S E

F U R T H E R

A W A R E N E S S A N D

G A I N

P A R T I C I P A T I O N .

LIGHTING CAN CHANGE THE EFFECT OF A WORSHIP

SERVICE OR SPECIAL EVENT, SUCH AS A CHRISTMAS

PAGEANT.

TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE A SERVICE MORE

ENGAGING FOR YOUR CONGREGATION.

V I D E O C L I P S C A N

M A K E A S E R M O N

M E S S A G E M O R E

R E L A T A B L E . T H E

F O L L O W I N G V I D E O

C O U L D B E S H O W N

B E F O R E A S E R M O N

T O C H A L L E N G E

M E M B E R S O F T H E

C O N G R E G A T I O N

T O G R O W

S P I R I T U A L L Y .

TECHNOLOGY CAN CONNECT THE CHURCH TO THE SECULAR WORLD.

TRADITIONAL CHURCHES CAN SEEM SO DIFFERENT FROM EVERY

DAY LIFE THAT PEOPLE CAN FALL INTO A PATTERN OF COMING TO

CHURCH ON SUNDAYS, BUT LEAVE AND LIVE LIVES ACCORDING TO

SECULAR WORLDVIEWS. TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP JOIN BOTH

WORLDS TOGETHER.

*JUST BE AWARE OF COPYRIGHT LAWS!

T E C H N O L O G Y C A N

A L L O W F O R A R T

T O B E M O R E

E A S I L Y

I N C O R P O R A T E D

I N T O A S E R M O N

B Y P R O J E C T I N G

A N I M A G E O N T O A

S C R E E N .

MICROPHONES & AUDIO AMPLIFICATION ALLOW

FOR SOUND TO BE PROJECTED MORE CLEARLY.

TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS FOR LARGER CORPORATE

WORSHIP OPPORUTNITIES, INCLUDING

CONFERENCES.

HOME-BOUND, BED-RIDDEN, OR THOSE OUT OF

THE COUNTRY CAN WATCH SERVICES VIA LIVE

STREAMING.

MEMBERS OF YOUR CONGREGATION CAN RE-

LISTEN TO THE SERMON IF IT IS RECORDED, OR

LISTEN FOR THE FIRST TIME IF THEY MISS A

SERVICE.

USING EMAIL, PRAYER REQUESTS AND

DEVOTIONS CAN BE SENT TO THE

CONGREGATION.

S O C I A L M E D I A

A L L O W S P E O P L E

T O C O N N E C T

O U T S I D E O F T H E

C H U R C H M O R E

E A S I L Y .

S O C I A L M E D I A C A N

B E I N C O R P O R A T E D

I N T O M E S S A G E S

( S U C H A S T H E I C E

B U C K E T

C H A L L E N G E T H A T

W E N T V I R A L L A S T

S U M M E R . )

T E C H N O L O G Y I S A

G O O D W A Y T O S T A Y

I N C O N T A C T W I T H

Y O U R

C O N G R E G A T I O N

D U R I N G T H E W E E K ,

T H I S C A N A L S O

H E L P E N G A G E

T H O S E W H O A R E

“ S U N D A Y

C H R I S T I A N S . ”

C R Y R O O M

S P E A K E R S C A N

A L L O W P A R E N T S

T O P A R T I C I P A T E

I N Y O U R S E R V I C E ,

E V E N I F T H E Y

N E E D T O B E W I T H

T H E I R C H I L D .

PAGERS/CELL PHONE TEXTING IS A LESS

DISRUPTIVE WAY TO ALERT PARENTS THAT THEY

ARE NEEDED IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TO ASSIST

WITH THEIR CHILD.

P R E S E N T E D B Y J O R D A N G I B S O N

Next up, learn about the dangers/pitfalls of technology in worship

C O N T E X T

Does the technology you are using make sense in the context you are in?

It is important to know the people in your community and how they will or are

reacting to the types of technology being used.

C R E A T I N G A N E X C E L L E N T S E R V I C E

Does it accomplish our goals? Is what we are currently doing helping us to

achieve our goals?

Do we believe that our services are reaching those outside the church?

Is there a more simple way to accomplish our goals?

T O O M U C H S T I M U L U S

When we have all sorts of technology going at the same time or throughout

the service it can distract us from the gospel. Often our focus is lost in an

assortment of technology.

It creates a "show" mentality that impedes our ability to connect with

community.

C O M F O R T

Much of our attention in worship services is pointed at creating a comfortable

environment for those that attend.

Is comfort a high priority for us in our worship services and why?

S E R M O N S E R I E S

There is such a similarly between sermon series and television shows, is this

the image we want to portray for our worship gatherings?

What if we don't like the idea of the new series?

C O S T & F O C U S

Is it worth it? We put so much money into buying technology, training people,

hiring the right people, is it worth the cost?

As we put all our effort in our Sunday morning service, we tell the world that

the service is the most important part of our Christian life.

P R E S E N T E D B Y K A T H Y S C H O E N

Next up, learn about a helpful theological framework for viewing

technology in worship

P R E S E N T E D B Y L I Z C A R V E R

Next up, learn about the relationship of technology to other

components of worship.

T E C H N O L O G Y I S A T O O L , N O T A T O Y

Technology gives us an opportunity to include a greater number of people in

worship.

While sometimes, technology is frivolous and unnecessary, it is all in how you

use it.

If we wield technology well, we can do amazing things to further the kingdom

of God, and to draw people into experiences where they can meet with the

living God through Worship.

C O N T E N T

“The methods always change, but the message stays the same.”

Start, now with how you want to say something, start with what you want to

say.

Technology is not the goal. When technology becomes the goal rather than

just a part of the process in worship planning, it has become an idol. Start with

content.

C O N T E X T

Not every technologically enhanced “improvement” necessarily improves our

worship.

But, just because a tool doesn’t work in the right context doesn’t devalue its

use in another context.

Remember: Not only is technology a tool, but it is a tool that needs to be used

to support content, and used appropriately within your context.

P H I L O S O P H I C A L D I F F E R E N C E S W H E N I T C O M E S

T O T H E I N T E G R A T I O N O F T E C H N O L O G Y &

W O R S H I PRegardless of how you integrate technology into worship, it should not be a

distraction.

Technology that distracts is worse than no technology at all.

People should leave saying that we worship an awesome God.

T H E I N T E G R A T I O N O F T E C H N O L O G Y I N

W O R S H I P I S N O T H I N G M O R E T H A N A N

I N C R E A S E I N C O L L A B O R A T I O N B E T W E E N

A R T I S T I C M E D I U M S .

A U D I O T E C H N O L O G Y

Congregations today unknowingly expect a much higher in-quality audio

experience.

Good audio systems amplify worship and teaching.

Bad audio systems muddle the message.

Good audio systems used poorly bother everyone.

V I S U A L S & T E C H N O L O G Y

Screens: Be consistent with your use of screen images and type. Make sure

that any background images or motion are subtle, so as not to compete with

worship song lyrics/scripture.

Tangibles: simple images on bulletins (and other print pieces) allow us to

participate in a shared experience and are helpful for visitors.

Video: Tell stories, capture messages, and share the Gospel beyond the walls

of your church. This collaborative art form has the power to cause the viewer

to emote in ways that few mediums can.

B E H I N D T H E S C E N E S T E C H N O L O G Y

Consider increasing your use of technology behind the scenes for greater

collaboration in worship planning.

Software such as Planning Center can aid in planning.

iPads or other tablets can be used to display lead sheets, music, or message

notes.

T E C H N O L O G Y & T E A C H I N G

Social media can be used in teaching.

Tweeting or texting in messages to your pastor for them to answer can create

a safe place for people to ask questions and receive answers in real time.

Programs like ProPresenter can filter through hashtags and @usernames

easily.

Gain immediate response to polls.

T E C H N O L O G Y & A R C H I T E C T U R E / S P A C E

Be mindful of how technology integrates with architecture and your church’s

physical space.

How visible should technology be based on your church’s context? Should we

see lights, microphones, cameras, etc.? Should they be minimally invasive?

Should production happen in front of the congregation (as in, in the same

room)? Or should it happen in a separate space?

T E C H N O L O G Y & G I V I N G / S T E W A R D S H I P

Scripture tells us that giving of financial gifts and tithes is also worship.

Giving through online giving or apps is a fast-growing channel of giving for

non-profits. Consider opening this up to your congregation.

P R E S E N T E D B Y B R A D E D W A R D S

Next up, learn about some practical examples & a healthy integration

of technology in worship.

Y A Y !

The End.