Technology and the Worship Environment

An old friend of mine asked me a penetrating question on Facebook a few weeks ago. She’s meditating through the Psalms with her husband and another couple. It’s been transforming in how she experiences worship, on a personal daily level, and in corporate worship.

Her question revolved around the atmosphere of corporate worship. She asked what factors I as a technician take into account regarding the aesthetic and atmosphere of the experience.

Big, big question. Here are a few thoughts.

First, strictly as a technician, I may or may not have much in the way of impact on decisions of style, aesthetic or the vibe of a room. My job is primarily to support. One of my gifts is the ability to contribute artistically to those decisions, but that’s not strictly a technology issue.

Where decisions on style and aesthetic intersect technology, the worship technology folks must have a seat at the table. Questions like “are we capable of executing this concept?” and “do we have the capacity to get this done?” need to be asked, and the worship technology folks are the only ones who can give an accurate answer.

Whatever the worship style... the technology must be transparent. By that, I mean it is not “the show.” It supports. The lights, for example, may be spectacular, but they are there to draw attention to the musician or whatever is the focus of the moment.

Transparent also mean perfect in execution. Glitches draw attention away from moment. Perfect is hard, and it requires tools that are adequate to the task. One thing folks in worship technology struggle with is trying to do too much for too long with too little. It leads to unrealistic expectations, and ultimately to frustration and burnout. Don’t go there!

Technical and creative elements that are supportive are appropriate to the moment. Again, that’s hard. Incredibly hard when you think about it. The right video or background enhances the experience. The wrong one rips people right out of worship. It's huge and hard, because “what might be right for you, might just be wrong for some.” (Cue the theme from Different Strokes!)

Atmosphere, ambiance, mood and tone of the room have incredible potential to raise worship experiences to a new level. Audio, video and lighting are a major consideration in the creation of ambiance and tone, but it begins far earlier than that.

It begins with architecture and interior design. We can worship anywhere... but elements of environment can help us to reach out to God. Think about it. There’s a reason we call them “mountain top experiences.”

I guess what this all means to me, is that using technology in worship is a responsibility. We have to use the tools we’re given wisely, and with good counsel. In the end, we won’t please everyone. With care and planning, though, even those who don’t appreciate a particular style or song, won’t be distracted by technical elements and can still worship effectively.