Video Savior
Scott McClellan at Collide Magazine was recently asked by a reporter if he thought technology would “save the Church from low attendance and irrelevance“. It’s interesting to me how the person asking the question reveals their presupposition - that the “Church” is indeed suffering from low attendance and irrelevance. Oddly enough, the question itself is irrelevant, precisely because “Church” is now being identified as a thing - like a building, or a specific denomination. Christ’s church was a band of rebels who met wherever they could, and the Gospel spread like wildfire. It had nothing to do the tools that were used, but the message and how it was internalized. If a “Church” experiences low attendance and/or irrelevance, then it has failed in its purpose and mission. That has nothing to do with technology, and everything to do with the leadership. The problem is that churches are run by people, and people fail.
Scott’s response was “No”. What say you? More to come…
mikeyd said:
Do I think that technology will save the church? No, not at all.
Relationships will save the church.
Living out the Gospels will save the church.
However I will say this, the reporter is correct… the church in America IS suffering from low attendance. No don’t get me wrong, that is a broad brush stroke; but the truth is this: never in recorded history has there ever been more people on Earth. According to the Barna Group (a non-profit christian social research and statistic gathering organization) church attendance in America is lower today than it ever has been… somewhere between 10 - 18% nationwide. Non-Christians view the church as irrelevant, disconnected and hypocritical. The only way to reach those whom Jesus commanded us to reach (See Matthew 28:18-20) is thru being relevant in the culture we live in. Therefore, will using technology save us from low attendance & irrelevance, no; but it can help us share the Gospel in a current and relational way. The key is this… we need to be using tech for His Glory, not to show off our “skillz.”
Just my humble opinion.
mikeyd
December 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Joel Ohman said:
You are dead on with this statement: “It had nothing to do the tools that were used, but the message and how it was internalized.”
If people are simply looking for a great show then church technology can certainly provide it to them but so can a concert outside of the church.
The goal of the Christ centered church should then be not to simply attract anyone and everyone looking for a great show but rather to behave as the early church and focus on the message of Christ.
Technology can be a great tool to help with that focus but once the focus drifts from the message of Christ to the method used in communicating the message of Christ then there will be problems.
Looking forward to the next post - Joel
December 10th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Josh Willits said:
Thanks, Mike, great points. Especially on pointing out the relational aspect. This is key.
December 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pm