the way

I have been on the internet since Dan Quale invented it. I have two computer certifications, I own 3 computers and I upkeep about ten blogs. As Kip sang in Napoleon Dynamite, “I love technology.” But recently, God has been changing my heart about the way I think about it.

Then, I cam across this quote: "Let's face it, we've all experienced the occasional sleeper on Sunday morning," says an Internet advertisement from Audio Visual Mart, an online media tools store. "But it doesn't have to be that way. Technology can inspire your congregation in new ways."

Seminars and Church exposition halls are crammed full of companies who are fighting to help “inspire your congregation” with their latest media, fonts, worship programs, videos, drama, and controversial topics. And it’s not just outside sources, as churches we also try to pack our houses with sermons on the latest block busters or a spin on the newest television show.

Now, before I start my ranting, let me just say I am all for being “current” in the modern church. I have also been a youth minister for over ten years, and I have planned the craziest games using glue, glitter and fish and I have given sermons on the Devil, Sex, Revelation and Rock and Roll.

But as soon as I start thinking, “We need something new to bring more people in,” or “We need something exciting to keep our people awake,” or “We need better worship,” or “We a need louder, more animated worship team,” then that is MY OWN SIN coming into the picture. Of course there is nothing wrong with change or new fresh ideas, we all need these elements in our lives and in our ministry, but as soon as I start to feel that the answers for attendance and spirituality rely and depend on those flash-in-the-pan gimmicks then I am bullying my way into the job of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s face it, God was moving the church forward for thousands of years, long before electric guitars, video and the DaVinci Code ever came onto the scene. The Holy Spirit has been deep in the hearts of Christians and spiritual formation before Rick Warren, John Piper, Rob Bell and Phillip Yancey. [again, nothing wrong with any of these things, I have used these resources for years!]

But it is a mindset. It’s how I think about media and resources and my own personal “preferences” about worship, music and modernity. Does this mean God could grow a Greek Orthodox Church in the most contemporary culture? Of course He can. Does this mean you could roll up your projector screen, turn off the amplifiers and computers and whip out the book of Leviticus and still keep the attention of any congregation no matter what demographic you minister to? Of course you can!

Heck, we can even use modern culture to prove this point! Coke has been the leading soft drink for years, despite hundreds of new products on the market each year. Consumers flock to brands that are time-tested and recognizable. We feel comfortable in reliability and familiarity. Look in your own closet and in your own home. Do you always wear Levi’s? Do you always drink Pepsi? Do you always end up on the same channels on TV? Do you always buy the same groceries and hair care products?

Why? Why don’t you constantly change what you eat? Why don’t you constantly watch a different TV show each week, why don’t you buy a different shampoo or deodorant each time you go to the store…why? Because you go with what is reliable….time tested….you go with the things in your life that have stability. We all feel safe on solid ground.

Strip away the stage – and where is your solid ground? I need to admit my own sin and give the stage back to God. I need to give the keys to His house back to Him. It’s not my church, it’s not my congregation; it’s His. These people are His flock, and I am just his attendant. I am just His hired hand.

Lord, unplug me from the wall and plug me back into you.