Holy cow. I have to share this video I stumbled upon. I confess I LOVE seeing technology used in big ways in worship settings. I think that music and media are the languages of the people. I know it isn’t a MUST have, and I know that I do not represent everyone’s opinion here. I have some good friends that I would label ‘anti-production’ when it comes to ‘doing church.’ I just agree to disagree, Ron Burgandy would be proud.

There is more to worship than big sound, big screens and big lights. The heart has to be there, the passion, all that stuff that I guess I need to acknowledge. That being said, I KNOW that when I have more senses engaged, I am more engaged. When I get wrapped up by the sounds and all that ‘good stuff’ I love it. I focus in, I can get lost in worship in that moment. The flip side is how distracting it can be for me. I have to watch myself. I will end up spending the first 10 minutes of a big event evaluating equipment and production value. The next 10 minutes I will critique the front of house mix. After about 20 minutes I am in though. HaHa. I also believe that good production value helps the Church.

I know, I KNOW, I KNOW that Jesus doesn’t need me or my computer. However I am pretty confident he chooses to let me minister along side of him. I LOVE when a worship experience excels in technical production. I think this shows the world that the church can be an exciting and engaging experience. One possibly worth even giving a shot if you can get that 16 year old away from MTV and the movie theater. I consider it a modern time mission trip type of cultural relevance. So be it fortunate or unfortunate, the culture I minister in is overwhelmed with media. I think Jesus likes being in that media. And a last disclaimer… I think Jesus likes to be in the calm quiet, other-than-the-world stuff too. I just don’t think ‘we’ need much help and encouragement going there.

So without further delay, the AMAZING 12 minute intro to the Hillsong Conference. Let me know what you think of that Amazing Grace when you get done.