Interesting piece someone linked on Facebook:
Why Churches Should Ditch The Projector Screens And Bring Back Hymnals
Why Churches Should Ditch The Projector Screens And Bring Back Hymnals
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Screens and Hymnals
- Thread starter rlvaughn
- Start date
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
I don't even like putting Scripture up on a screen. It encourages people to not bring a Bible and enhances theological laxity.
alexander284
Well-Known Member
So true! That's one thing I don't like about the mainline Protestant churches: no one brings a Bible with them!
To me, that's like showing up to a wedding ceremony in a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and sandals.
Putting the words up on a screen, either words of scripture or hymns, forces the people in the congregation to read them. With hymnals and Bibles no one need pick them up and crack them open if they don't want to.
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I've used hymn books all my life & music books for 50 years. We moved 2 years ago & screens are in use. My wife likes them 'cos she doesn't need to keep changing her glasses. I don't.
Too many new simple praise choruses, without proper verses or poetic form, written for guitar - but we don't have a worship leader - only a piano, so it's a bad compromise. Sometimes I like what we've sung & want to look it up, but can I remember the first line? Or the tune?
I'm not against new hymns - I written a few myself that I've posted here - but I do like poetry & proper tunes. My words always fit old tunes.
Too many new simple praise choruses, without proper verses or poetic form, written for guitar - but we don't have a worship leader - only a piano, so it's a bad compromise. Sometimes I like what we've sung & want to look it up, but can I remember the first line? Or the tune?
I'm not against new hymns - I written a few myself that I've posted here - but I do like poetry & proper tunes. My words always fit old tunes.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
You can't really say that universally. For example, there are UMC churches in very rural areas that don't have any type of modern technology in the church (including digital thermostats).
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
This is a false notion. Nobody is forced to read a screen either if they don't want to.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
Honestly when people use their devices for a Bible it is distracting.We’re all bring bibles, their just digital.
You preachers just want to hear the pages rattle when the pages are turned
Rob
I dont look at the screen If I dont want to. I fail to see your point.
I like having all the resources available. I can also read my device without wearing glasses.
I read this about a week ago. There is nothing true about it. It assumes that screens take away theology. A rather retarded statement.
Going back to hymnals sounds like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It's simply a matter of musical preferences.
No one is more pious because they hold a hymnal containing musical notes in it.
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No one is more pious because they hold a hymnal containing musical notes in it.
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Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
No, but going back to hymns away from the mindless drivel that is in churches today definitely is a solution to a problem that absolutely exists.
Supposing "Nothing but the Blood", "A Mighty Fortress is Our God", "Holy, Holy Holy", etc. etc. were projected on screens. You have a problem with that?
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I am torn on people opening an app on their smartphone or tablet. On the one hand, at least they are reading the text. On the other hand, it can be very distracting to others; especially the glow of the screen and the awkward nature of "flipping" pages. Then there is the issue of receiving text messages and surfing Facebook or Twitter (or worse) during the worship service. I see that all the time. You also have the "theologians" in the congregation who are constantly fact-checking the pastor on Logos or some other program.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
No I do not have a problem with that per se.
I am not willing to die on this hill, so for me, it comes down to an issue of preference. However, in my experience (which means the churches I have attended) the congregational songs that are projected on screens are predominantly of the 7-11 chorus genre. I say "predominantly" because I have seen exceptions. The church I attend projects songs on the overhead screens and, sadly, most of them are just choruses.
I don't agree with everything in the article, but I think it makes points that need to be part of an ongoing discussion. While I don't find projecting a song or words to a hymn on a screen inherently wrong, I think this fits part of a larger culture that moves further and further away from simplicity of worship (and that is not new).
One thing I find interesting about the article, also, is that (as best I can tell) the author is neither a pastor or worship leader -- i.e., those two groups who usually jaw on about the subject. So apparently others are interested in and/or disturbed by this as well.
One thing I find interesting about the article, also, is that (as best I can tell) the author is neither a pastor or worship leader -- i.e., those two groups who usually jaw on about the subject. So apparently others are interested in and/or disturbed by this as well.
I have no experience with this, but think that is correct, from what I have heard.