Ancient theater builders were masters of acoustics, but in modern times, comforts (like cushions and carpet) have created new worship space problems technology has resolved: microphones and speakers (thankfully) enable us to hear. We can record a service, a significant blessing to a shut-in who can't be bodily present in worship, or to a family years after a funeral. The hard of hearing get special equipment.
In an economy whose dual engines are the internet and the media, we need not be surprised that technology has become a powerful feature of worship. But do we embrace it as an unadulterated good? Or are there perils? Outside worship, for all the unquestionable wonders of advancing knowledge (such as open heart surgery), we may peek beneath the shiny surface and notice its sneaky underside. The microwave simplifies cooking, but now families eat dinner together far less frequently. Valuable information is at our fingertips, but then so is a vast array of immorality. Technology's ethic is "If you can, you should." But hasn't even Hollywood (from Jurassic Park to The Matrix) warned us of the dangers? and haven't thinkers like Neil Postman warned us that we are "amusing ourselves to death"? In a culture of vapid sitcoms, trashy "reality" TV and iPods, what are the risks that inevitably spill over in worship?
Rev. Ken Carter of Providence UMC wrote an insightful column about technology's "invisible culture" and its impact on faith. TV lulls us into passivity. We burn or play CDs instead of learning to play an instrument. Is reality real? or merely "virtual"? Isn't everything fake? or spin? The media answers unasked questions; the media feeds our narcissism. On the internet, everybody's an authority - which means there is no authority. Indeed, isn't there "a connection between the progress of technology and the decline of faith" (Albert Borgmann)?
Worship-wise, we might reflect upon the pitfalls of technology, both in the culture and in the sanctuary itself. Technology is all about speed; some gadget will fix whatever slows us down. But we need to slow down, to engage in some labor, in reflective meditation. If worship succumbs to the pressure to be snappy, fast, glitzy, then our attention span will miss God, who is like those wise trees in The Lord of the Rings who speak Entish, "a lovely language, but it takes a very long time to say anything in it, because we do not say anything in it, unless it is worth taking a long time to say, and to listen to." Technology may make it difficult to "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
On the internet we can research the Bible easily; you can read this email...J But can we get so connected to the web that we don't connect with real people? Our sermons are available online - but then some quit attending and just listen, alone, comfortable, not stretched or relating. Technology increases the odds worship will feel like entertainment: see someone with a microphone and you're thinking "American idol" before you know it - and you wonder if you can change the channel. For technology is all about individuality, what suits me (check out this hilarious clip on the "Me-Church"). How's this as a test for technology in worship: Does it elevate the space and heighten our awareness of God? Is it subdued enough to push us to work at our worship? Is reverence cultivated? Is excellence offered to God? or does it feel "slick?"
James
james@mpumc.org
Coming up:
eWorship8 - Worship space
eWorship9 - Teach us to Worship
eWorship10 - Praise
eWorship11 - Giving Thanks
eWorship12 - The Offering
The complete eWorship series may be found on our web site.
In eWorship6, a link to Tom Beaudoin's wisdom on worship and media culture was flawed: to read his stuff click here.
Sunday's sermon on the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 14) may be heard by clicking here.
