I ended off Part one with the statement “At the moment there are restrictions and stone walls – like our volunteers and equipment, things that – I am happy to say – are out of my hands and in God’s hands.”
In reality the modern Church’s biggest stumbling block with regards to Technology and especially Video and Sound is financing and volunteers. With so many things running in the Church; the main threat is over expenditure of finances and over working of volunteers. That is why you have to first be putting God first (kind of supposed to be a given). While I think we have been blessed as our Church I still struggle to find people to help. Maybe it is the intimidation factor – who knows. But Video, editing etc is not a one man job or two or three; it is a ministry that requires time, effort, learning, excellence and commitment.
Anyway a good way of evaluating how far to go with this type of technology is to apply the SWOT analysis:
Strong Points, Weak Points, Opportunities, and Threats.
Threats
Over expenditure of finances and over working of volunteers are the obvious threats. Another is the over use of video to the point that it becomes ineffective.
Weak Points
Video is sometimes impersonal and some people; out of preference, would not like to watch too much video or even a complete Video Sermon.
Strong Points
Video certainly does appeal to the younger crowd; the more upbeat and zooty then the more cool it can be.
Also a pre-recorded testimony, promo or informational segment can get the point across very clearly and effectively.
Opportunities
In today’s day and age it is very important to be culturally relevant in order to not only appeal to people who are looking for a modern Church but also to communicate effectively and in the language of the people. I don’t mean watering down the message of God, I mean leveraging the technology of today to do God’s will to reach the lost. Therefore technology and especially Video should be an opportunity to reach more people.
We are to preach the Gospel to all the Earth. Everyday the world is becoming smaller. And with video, one can hand over a DVD, with a sermon on it, to a friend that could end up in the most oddest of places being watched by someone you may have never thought would have ever wanted to listen to the Word of God. Who knows – God can use anything.
God Tube, God TV, etc videos are being broadcasted to all ends of the earth – to places where you would least expect.
What is important to realize is that this is just a means to an end; an end that would ideally result in someone giving their life to Jesus. Ultimately though – that is not a result dependent on the means you use to acquire that end, it is dependent on God. And God has given us guys and girls, that have the ability to understand this technology, custodianship and stewardship of that understanding, those skills, those talents and those abilities in order to Glorify Him and to do His Will.
Don’t be too quick to decide how (in)effective DVD sermons can be. I read this http://268generation.com/blog/2007/05/ashleys-home/ this morning (story should be familiar to Stellenberg people), and took notice of how pre-recorded material made a huge influence in Ashley’s life.
As you said it is God who does the work, and sometimes he even uses people to help.
Very true. Maybe one day we can re-look at the whole DVD stuff. It Certainly is something that God can use.