Ridgell's Originals

I had a discussion the other day with some university students about preaching and technology. Their opinions were all over the place. Some thought the use of film clips, images, and power point was wonderful and exactly the way to reach our modern culture. Others thought technology distracted from the message, put too much of a premium on entertainment, or was not done in just the right way. In other words, they debated how to use technology in the same way my generation debated the use of illustrations. And I must confess, I am conflicted about this whole technology in preaching deal.

Why isn't God's Word enough? If I get bored with a "non enhanced" sermon, is my faith weak? Is the preacher poorly prepared, or just a poor communicator? How long before someone begins to market the technological outlines for a sermon? I heard Rick Atchley preach Sunday, except for the fact that I was in Fort Worth and he was in Canada. He was pre-recorded. Is this the wave of the future? Why not take the 10 or 12 best preachers in our brotherhood, record them, and make sure every church uses just their videos? Maybe we could do the same with our praise teams. In fact, this whole meet together thing could be eliminated with just a little work and some more technology.

I don't know. I hear Phil preach every Sunday and he is about as cutting edge as anyone in our fellowship. And I don't use any technology. Maybe I ought to, it might help. But people seem to listen to both of us. I do know that we better decide how it works, how we use it, and how it fits in our mission. Is it critical, important, helpful, confusing, or distracting? And what is the difference in how a believer and a non-believer view it? How different is a "post-modern" from a baby boomer? And is the target audience even in our assembly?

Well, wiser heads than mine need to think on this and help me sort it out. And then you may have to do a power point for me...or maybe not.