We don't want to just "wow" people with it: Is it possible for the Holy God to bless and use all of these tools? Some people will be resistant; use it once and screw it up (or do it poorly), and they will never let you do it again (they watch TV and are used to seeing things done with excellence). They will also be resistant to anything outside the culture.
- Be careful about how & when you use technology to present words & texts
- Make or do things that have form & beauty: painting, sculpture, literature, drama, etc.
- Media elements must be expressions that help imitate realities of human existence that might not otherwise be possible
- Remember: whatever you do is subject to interpretation by your people
- It should be appropriate to your context; if your context is very conservative, you'll have to move more slowly
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and appropriateness will vary with your context (the age of the church, and median age of the congregation: what has meaning to one generation does not have the same meaning to another)
- People have differing values depending upon their maturity level (both physical and spiritual)
- There should be guidelines about what is and isn't acceptable for using technology, especially true of extended services (weddings, etc.)
- Remember the theology and tradition of the church (and the former is more prone to change than the latter)
- What are the history and tradition of the church? This is what causes churches not to change when they ought to (in music and technology)
- What level of risk is acceptable to you? Where is the hill where you will plant your flag and die?
- Use media, drama, etc. to convey truth as related to our faith
- Use it to facilitate the conveyance of truth, as long as it isn't so distracting that it takes away from those to whom it will be new
- Be accessible; don't run and hide
- Be appropriate--if you're going to use a movie clip for the sermon, ask: "Is this clip appropriate to be shown in this setting?" Err on the side of being conservative than think that everyone's as open as they say they are
- Artistic expressions related to worship--liturgical dance, signing for the deaf, etc.
- Material artistic expression in relationship to worship--are you using people who are painters?
- The art & technology must be corrective--the language should be used (not just of words, but the media itself) so that we must be preoccupied with the glitz of the preparation
- The Icon
· It was always distorted; really never meant to look just like what they represent
· They were never meant to be mistaken for a photograph
· A "depiction," not a picture
· Elongated, or slightly distorted in some way
· It should give a glimpse of both reality and truth
- Remember:
· John 4:23-24--it is a sacrifice and offering
· It must not become an end in itself