May 2004

Some notes from a friend:

Hi Rowland,

The seminar, Technology in the Temple, was very interesting. We started by entering a darkened room which had many projectors and data projectors displaying images and words along with music and other sounds. The images where projected onto many different surfaces such as a dome tent wall etc. Some had a zone that enabled you to sit down in and contemplate, all had an activity associated with it. ie where would you place yourself in relation to God and the wall of the tent. Place a sticker somewhere on the tent wall to represent this. When I first entered I thought it was going to be a labyrinth but it wasn’t. There were also candles burning which were scattered around to give a traditional feel as well. There were also candles which you could light yourself and spend some time reflecting or praying.

Next came presentations from Rob Hulls spin doctor Grant Clarke who has an interest in church communication. His theme was “The Rise of Church Creativity”. Technology is not the whole answer but it is necessary. There is a need for broad creativity within churches. Add to the old using the new. Technology is a tool to be used for God’s glory. Everyone is creative but the church must find a way to let creativity flourish. The church needs centre’s of creativity because they attract people, structures need to be created to handle this. Talent and tolerance are needed, small mindedness needs to be opposed. He made mention in the panel discussion of South Yarra Baptist and the way they have blended to very old ie icons the lexicon etc. with the new. It obviously takes skill and interest to do this well. It’s a church I want to visit some time to see how this is accomplished as I feel that this is an area that is slowly beginning to mean something. People believe there is more to worship than singing and listening.

Ben Wimpey spoke on the use of the film medium and the way this medium can be used in teaching. In particular the use of very short films to make a point. There are however only so many people with the creativity to use the medium well and these must be found. Churches should not be intimidated by their lack of technology. Tap into the visual.

Sally Cloke who is the Web Master/Mistress 🙂 ( brought a laugh) for Anglican Media spoke on Women and Technology in the Temple. She covered a vast amount of ground and was not willing to release her paper as she is working on more research in relation to it. However one point I do remember was that it is possible that the use of technology might if allowed take the place of things created for the church by women. She illustrated that point with a slide of the kind of items you find women do in liturgical churches. Hand crafted items that express the artistic side of our love for God ie banners in a Baptist would be an example as would the embroiderd pulpit items you see in an Anglican, Uniting Church or Lutheran. I think her challenge was that we must keep watch on just how we use technology and its impact on people.

She also made the point that technology has become a male thing and hence we should watch that women are more involved in its use. Out of the thirty odd people there, there were only three or four women. It was also observed that those new churches that adopted technology were often just large autitoriums with a screen or screens as their focus with bands and singers performing as if it were entertainment. That is also my view of for example Crossway whereas I think St. Barnabas in Waverly does it much better in the way the screen is incorporated into a wall and it much less obvious until you see it used. Also the way the ceiling has been done as a wave helps break up its expanse. (It takes money however to do this. I would rather have a smaller worship centre that was athestically pleasing than spend money on something to accomodate large numbers of people but does not reflect our love of God through care in design.) My soapbox, sorry.

I guess it comes down to “the message or the medium”.

One final sheet was handed out that can be read at
http://www.angelfire.com/al/zanda/Technology_in_church.html

The writer (Alex Wegman I think) states the the article had its beginnings several years ago and each time he revises the tome he becomes aware of its apparent appeal to perhaps a more modernistic style of church setting. This concerns him but he hopes that the technical and the conceptual issues covered there can be of use to people from all parts of the multi-pathed journey that is God’s Church. (Quote from sheet.)

Well that about wraps it up. Yesterday Heather and I had a good talk about where I worship and I will be moving to the Anglicans very soon I think. I know I will be more settled when this happens. We have a new vicar there who is Irish and he is very evangelical and a delight to be with. He loves a joke and to eat and loves good Irish music. He says the singer song writer Robin Mark is a personal friend and he has invited him to come out. I will tell you more about my talk with Heather and Paul the vicar and Charles our Pastor later.

May God continue to bless you both as you serve him.