This document outlines an agenda for a discussion on technology in worship. The agenda includes benefits of technology in worship such as helping to set the mood, enhance the worship experience through images, and project scripture. It also covers dangers of technology like creating too much stimulus and issues of cost and focus. Other topics on the agenda include a theological framework, the relationship of technology to other components, and practical examples of integrating technology.

1. T E C H N O L O G Y I N W O R S H I P
L 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

2. A G E N D A
1 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

3. Let’s get started.

4. 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

5. TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP SET THE MOOD FOR A
WORSHIP SERVICE, ESPECIALLY THE SLIDE ON
THE SCREEN WHEN PEOPLE WALK INTO THE
SANCTUARY.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTION CAN ENHANCE THE
WORSHIP EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE BY ALLOWING
THEM TO CONNECT SPIRITUALLY IN A DIFFERENT
MANNER.

7. AN EXAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTION FROM
GROUP MEMBER KATHY’S CHURCH IN CALIFORNIA

8. 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.

9. MOST CHURCHES NOW INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY
IN WORSHIP THROUGH DIGITAL PROJECTION OF
SOME FORMAT.

10. 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.

11. 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 .

12. VISITORS OR MEMBERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE
LORD’S PRAYER MEMORIZED CAN PARTICIPATE IF
THE WORDS ARE PROJECTED FOR THEM.

13. 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.

14. PROJECTING LYRICS ALSO LOWERS COSTS BY
NOT HAVING TO PURCHASE UPDATED HYMNALS,
WHICH CAN BE COSTLY, AS THEY ARE UPDATED
OFTEN.

15. THERE ARE MANY STYLES FOR PROJECTING
LYRICS, SCRIPTURE AND SERMON NOTES. WHAT’S
IMPORTANT IS CONSISTENCY. PICK A STYLE AND
STICK WITH IT.

16. ANNOUNCEMENTS CAN RUN BEFORE THE
SERVICE SO THAT PAPER BULLETINS CAN BE
SMALLER (SAVES MONEY ON PRINTING COSTS).

17. TECHNOLOGY CAN ENHANCE OTHER
MINISTRIES AS WELL.
Youth Sunday Children’s Choirs

18. 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

19. LIGHTING CAN CHANGE THE EFFECT OF A WORSHIP
SERVICE OR SPECIAL EVENT, SUCH AS A CHRISTMAS
PAGEANT.

20. TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE A SERVICE MORE
ENGAGING FOR YOUR CONGREGATION.

21. 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 .

22. 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!

23. 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 .

24. MICROPHONES & AUDIO AMPLIFICATION ALLOW
FOR SOUND TO BE PROJECTED MORE CLEARLY.

25. TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS FOR LARGER CORPORATE
WORSHIP OPPORUTNITIES, INCLUDING
CONFERENCES.

26. HOME-BOUND, BED-RIDDEN, OR THOSE OUT OF
THE COUNTRY CAN WATCH SERVICES VIA LIVE
STREAMING.

27. 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.

28. USING EMAIL, PRAYER REQUESTS AND
DEVOTIONS CAN BE SENT TO THE
CONGREGATION.

29. 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 .

30. 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 . )

31. 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 . ”

32. 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 .

33. PAGERS/CELL PHONE TEXTING IS A LESS
DISRUPTIVE WAY TO ALERT PARENTS THAT THEY
ARE NEEDED IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TO ASSIST

34. 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

35. 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.

36. 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?

37. 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.

38. 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?

39. 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?

40. 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.

41. 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

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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 .

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. 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?

53. 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.

54. 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.

55. Y A Y !
The End.