We went to a large church a while back (I am taking this from a 1998 journal entry). One of the first things we noticed was they were using a boom TV camera. This turned me off. It made me think this is a church that is trying to be like all the other Big-Name T.V. Churches. Do they worry more about technology than connecting with the Lord? What proportion of their technology budget do they spend in proportion to the results they expect to reap? Is this for the pastor who merely wants to be in the same league as the other big-time players? Aside from shut-ins, does it really reach the people it is supposed to reach? So $100,000.00 reaches one shut-in; what about the same 100k being spent to print and distribute gospel tracts that reach two people? How much could go to missions? Could the money be better spent?
Arguments that Support “every possible step must be taken” can be softened by noticing that Jesus rested when there were souls to be preached to, souls to be healed.
If any effort is being spent for “look at me” rather than “look at the Lord” that effort is being spent wrong.
You can reach a point when your thinking turns from the numbers you are reaching toward how big and glorious your church is. When does it turn from looking to the glory of God to looking to the glory of the pastor, the technology, the big-name church?
You know the church is really bent when they resort to computer controlled lighting effects and smoke; it has fallen from being a “church” to being a “show”. The show needs lights and smoke; what next, mirrors?
