Multimedia Computing

If you haven't bought one, you've probably at least seen the new Multimedia Computers. They can do everything. They play full motion video, answer the phone, display the faxes you receive, play Bach and jump tall buildings in a single bound. They are funny, witty, and popular, and they can sing and dance. They are a natural product of our fast paced society.

I have a 1906 copy of the Sear's Catalogue and just for fun, I looked up the hottest selling children's toys for that year. They included a single-speed bike, a metal wheel that you rolled with a stick, and a variety of cute dolls. My, how times have changed! Our need for stimulation has increased to the point that if we are not bombarded on a constant basis, we become bored, disinterested, and immediately look for other sources of stimulation. (Which is why I'm so dangerous with a Remote Control!)

As society progresses, the church has sought ways to respond and adapt its ministries. In some ways, our responses have been useful and necessary in reaching a changing society, but in other ways these changes have been a distraction, a source of confusion, and have resulted in a loss of identity for the modern church.

For example:
We want our music to be a tasteful blend of Mozart, Manhattan Transfer, and occasionally Motley Crew.
The worship service needs to have the visual appeal of Hollywood, but maintain the humility of Mother Teresa.
We should experience the excitement of a football game, within the beauty of the Sistine Chapel.
We expect the humor of a comedy club, while providing answers on how to deal with AIDS, adultery and loneliness.
We are organized to the precision of a broadway play, but should create the informality and coziness of a visit to Grandmas.
And oh, by the way, if we can keep all this to precisely an hour, that would help in planning other activities on our very busy Sunday schedules.

Somewhere in our desire to "Become all things to all Men," we've lost our focus on the "Simplicity and purity of the Gospel," and my fear is that in all the commotion, God has been overlooked and He has found somewhere else to attend worship, and to be worshiped.

"Be Still, And Know that I Am God." Psalms 46:10

So how do we invite God back into our worship services?
It won't happen with a new overhead projector, a better PA system, or even because we're singing "Send the Old-Time Power."
It won't happen in a congregation until God is invited into the individual worship of each person there.
It won't happen, until we set aside the schedules, the meetings, the "order of service," and replace all these with a renewed understanding that as we worship, we enter into the very presence of a Holy God. A God that demands and deserves at the very least, our attention and acknowledgement, and at the very best, our worship and praise.

Begin, today, perhaps even now, to lift a prayer to God. To ask forgiveness for all the distractions you've allowed in your life, and ask Him to bring you back into His presence. To make your only expectation of worship be that of encountering Him.

If you're interested, there is more information about:
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Contributed by Ellis Bush (All Rights Reserved) 74357.246@compuserve.com