Recently, John Piper came down on extracurricular activities during sermons. It ignited a great debate in the comments, so we wanted to break it down into some totally unscientific data to pretend we have a better idea of how our audience feels. Here goes:
48% of you are cautiously in agreement. Sometimes we can get carried away with our interpretive dancers and Braveheart clips mid-sermon. But other non-speech activities can be beneficial sometimes.
33% of you think he missed the boat, probably somewhere shortly after he came up with that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” line. Seriously, preaching gets bo-o-o-ring; let’s get some snazzy media in there.
And a final 19% of you are in total agreement with him. You’re tired of all this chatter about Twitter during church and all the hullabaloo of the newest media fad. Let’s just focus on great teaching, and let the rest take care of itself.
This week, let us know, what do you think of when you hear of church traffic jams? We’ll have the results for you this time next week!
zekesauce
August 11, 2009
my question is, how big is john pipers church? anyone been there before? I have..
Media is another way to share the message, stop and kiss this generation good-bye
Kevin
August 15, 2009
Recently, my senior pastor showed a video clip from “The Shawshank Redemeption.” Not to be outdone, my associate pastor showed a spoof that took a video tour through the pastor’s bathroom and bedroom closet, but choosing to show all of his wife’s things rather than his. Good teaching tools, huh? And now you know why, according to George Barna’s research, less than 10% of born-again believers have a Biblical world view and Biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high.
john chu
August 17, 2009
For us Jesus freaks, we call it preaching, but in reality the issue is being a highly effective speaker. No doubt its the Holy Spirit that changes hearts, but you can’t say we don’t have a role in persuading the listeners. A pastor isn’t all about preaching, but like it or not, that’s what’s expected of them. So, yes, they better darn well be able to sell the best product in existence, with or without media. The teaching of God’s word absolutely needs to relevant/relate to the audience. I like the way God puts it…”Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying?”
David
February 3, 2010
Jesus used first-century multimedia when he preached. It’s hard to find a time when he “taught” the crowds that he didn’t heal the sick, raise the dead, feed thousands with a a first-century Happy Meal.
When we can do that, then we can leave the projectors and lighting directors behind. Until then, let’s use the technology God has given us.