Chapter 11: Video Killed the Radio Star
Technology: Supplement or Replacement
Thank you MTV for ruining our lives. Lights, fog machines, camera cranes, jumbo-trons
and gut-shaking sound systems. These are the things that capture our attention.
100,000 watts of audiovisual stimulation. How is the church supposed to compete with
that? Is the church supposed to compete with that? What happened to the good old days
when Jesus was able to draw a crowd of 5,000 with no electricity? The world and
thereby our ministry context has changed over the last 2,000 years and is continually
changing. Video screens have replaced stained-glass windows and they powerfully tell
the stories of our faith. But how much is too much? What communicates the message
and what distracts from it? Are people so captivated by swirling motion backgrounds
and flashing lights in worship that they miss the opportunity to engage with the living
God?
In his book, “Small is the New Big”, Seth Godin notes, “If your target audience isn’t
listening, it’s not their fault, it’s yours.” Presentation does matter. You have a
responsibility to actively engage your people. Within the framework of your context,
what are the things you can do to help those who need Jesus to connect with Him?