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Chase Tallent

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    Chase Tallent reacted to Pastor Matt for a news, Using Technology In a Traditional Church Service   
    The technological revolution we’ve seen in our Baptist churches over the past 20 or so years is astounding. What’s even more remarkable is the speed at which technology in the church continues to improve and change the way some worship. 
    A few years back having one projector screen was a revolutionary way to change worship. Now many worship services include multiple screens, concert-style stage lighting, websites, apps, live streaming, Computerized Child Check-In, Video Announcements, video-based curriculum, podcasts, and more.  Of course, many churches do not use some (or any) of these technologies in their worship service.  And, honestly, neither your church nor mine really need any of them to function as a church. There are countless churches all over the world with little to no technology that are fulfilling the great commission in ways that would put to shame some of the most technologically-driven Baptist churches.
    The shift that has taken place with technology is that it has been placed ahead of everything else. Technology should enhance worship, not replace it. Gone seems the days when Bibles are carried into church, the Bible is being replaced by phones and computers. However, technology can be useful and serve a function in our churches. Here are a few ways that technology can be used in our Baptist churches without compromising to the world. Of course, the use of technology and which ones we use,  is dependent on the area that we are located in.
    Church Website: Long are the days when people look at the Yellow Pages for church. Before anyone steps into a church, there is a high probability that they looked you up online. Projectors & TV's:  Video announcements, Bible Verses, Hymnal lyrics are a few ways where projectors/tv's can be used.  Live Streaming: It's often been said that if you live stream people will stay home instead of coming to church. I've found the opposite to happen. Folks in the community seems to watch a service online before attending. With wachy churches out there it is a way of folks to screen the church. Social Media: The use of facebook and/or Instagram is a great way to get your community engaged. Proper use of Hashtags can help get folks in your community to learn about your church that never would have drove by or looked you up online. Getting your church on Google maps is another way where your church will show up on their phones as they use their gps to head to a location.  The important thing is that the use of technology does not take priority over worship. The Word of God is the main focus. It seems that technology may be hindering spiritual growth in our Baptist churches.
    Whenever there is change there always is opposition. I've often wondered how much opposition was there when the piano was first brought into the church, or electricity. Probably the only modern thing that did not receive opposition was indoor plumbing. 
    Please comment below what ways your church uses technology without compromise worship. 
  2. Like
    Chase Tallent reacted to Pastor Matt for a news, What Happened to my Church?   
    It seems that in the last 30 or so years our churches have taken on a whole new look and atmosphere. As these changes were being made to attract more people to church, more and more people are having a hard time finding a church to call home?
    Recently, I attended the Baptist Church that I grew up in. While growing up, this church was a very conservative church. Never would they have entertained the thought of having anything other than a piano or organ on the stage. Upon this visit, I noticed that everything has changed the last 30 years. No longer did the church look like a place of worship, but rather an entertainment center. Ironically, the crowds were smaller now than 30 years ago.
    So what happened to my church? As I reflect back, I now see some signs that was there that started the shift of entertainment rather than worship. What has divided the church?
    It seems that is almost always starts with music. Not many churches minds some guitars to help accomplay the music, but not too long ago ear plugs were being handed out as one enters the into some church sanctuaries.  
    Some churches now open with a secular song, dim the lights, add in fog machines, and have an atmosphere that represents a local rock concert. All of this is to enhance repetitive choruses that will be sung over and over by church members that seem hypnotized.
    In an effort to attract unchurched people, the “Seeker Sensitive” movement suggested that churches should cater to the comforts of the “seeker”.  Bill Hybels admitted that he came up with the term but later confessed it didn't work.
    Hybels states: “We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.”
    The founder of the “Seeker Sensitive” movement now states that he should have taught people to read their Bibles and take responsibility for their own spiritual walk. This church that I grew up in, used to teach me how to read the Bible on my own.
    Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
    When this music shift took place, Some churches catered to the older crowd with an early a.m. traditional service for those with gray heads. That trend began "the great divide" between generations.
    Preachers started preaching only about love and tolerance. Everything and everyone must be accepted. Sin must be accepted. People loved having their ears tickled. The goal was to leave church with that "feel good" feeling and have their self-esteem built up. Sound doctrine was being set aside and ignored.
    Issues like marriage, abortion, and hell apparently divide so the preaching ceased on those things, although rock music in the church apparently was not a dividing issue.
    Having said all of that, the gates of hell are trying like crazy to penetrate the church,change its message, change its purpose, and to distort the gospel.
    Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
    If anyone else has seen that music has changed your church, please let us know and comment below.
    What happened to your church?
  3. LOL
    Chase Tallent reacted to Pastor Matt for a news, Genius Church Signs That Will Make You Laugh   
    Unfortunately my church does not have the luxury of being able to put up a sign with interchangeable messages, but I love it when I drive by a church and I see a clever saying on the sign. The following is a few of my favorites that I have come across. 
     
    1) This one here is good one for this time of year. "Come in and Let us prepare you for your finals"
     
    2) Ouch. A direct message for the thieves from Clays Mill Rd.

     
    3) This one hit the heart.

     
    4) This one is straight to the point

     
    5) This one is clever. Well done 

    If your church has a funny sign or if you have seen one, feel free to post it in the comments below.
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