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01 April 2009

Video Preaching and Mega Churches Part 2

First, I think it is important to clarify a few things.

 

MULTISITE

If there are enough preachers then I absolutely agree that you could have a preacher at each location.  I think this is great.

 

In saying that it would appear that in our current period churches when planting in the same city appear to be planting campuses rather than churches and I do see value in this.  As one church in one city I think there is good reason for video preaching to ensure that all the campuses are on the same mission and are being challenged in the same way because they live in the same city.  Why?  Because this helps build community.

 

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PREACHER

I would not be suggesting that your preacher is in a different country or even a different city.  As said they need to be aware of the issues and resolve (some of) them as Robyn said from the pulpit.

 

Robyn is right in saying that relationship is “everybody’s job”.  Pastors and Elders and all members need to build relationships to build community.  Video preaching is preaching it is only part of the relationship and does not mean that relationship cannot be continued outside of a Sunday.

 

The comment that “A video broadcast is a one way relationship so that just doesn’t work.” I think this is very misleading.  You relationship with your Preacher during his sermon would not change whether it is live or on a video screen.  Your relationship is dependent on your Preacher and you initiating to talking, etc outside of a sermon.  As such video or no video does not make a difference to the relationship.

 

MODEL OF CHURCH & APOSTLES

There is a real danger is saying this is unique – throwing the baby out with the bathwater – and ignoring any application into our lives.

 

Our understanding of church should be driven from both the OT and NT, some things have changed some things stay the same.  I would be concerned to say the early church is unique so it does not have application on church today, same with the OT.

 

As for Apostles there is a real danger of elevating the to a sub-God status here.  They were men that had gifts and fulfilled God given roles.  Some of these gifts continue – Preaching – and some of the roles continue – Leadership and Discipline.

 

TEACHING & PREACHING & GIFTING

To me teaching is critical – and teaching occurs in a number of forms, one being preaching.  I agree that the point is to point people to Jesus but if they are not eloquent will anybody listen? (the answer is yes and no).  My point is there is no point in having a bad preacher when you can have a good preacher.

 

Better preaching is learnable.  Preaching is not learnable, it is a gift, some people have it some people don’t.

 

NO       - “Video preaching is a bad idea.”

 

YES     - “Prayerfully and purposefully seek men to fill gaps in country churches.”

 

NO       - “We've set the bar for teachers higher than it should be by placing the exceptional guys on a pedestal.”

 

YES     - “Faithful teaching out of love for the congregation is all that's required”

 

YES     - “no excuse for truly "bad preaching"”

 

The Bible is the one that sets the bar high for the content of preaching (as it should).  You’re a true Australian Nathan the tall poppy syndrome.

 

DEMOGRAPHICS

Like you said terrible generalisation…  The aim is not to set the bar low.  We do that to well.  Nor should we preach too long but people should come to be preached to…  Personal thoughts on sermon length are around 30-40 min with/plus interaction. 

 

If someone does a bad job encourage and love but be truthful.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY & COMMUNICATION

Just because he is not there does not mean that there is no accountability or communication.  Just as I could now I could send Dave and email or give him a call.  If you have interaction during the service questions can be asked.  If private I don’t see that these sort of question would be asked on the night but you would make a meeting, phone call or send an email.

 

The myth is that video preaching does not allow the Preacher “to be approached, questioned, conversed with, etc”.  This is not true the form/frequency may change but this is more than possible.

 

Preachers should use things that help communicate the message.  I agree PowerPoint helps.

 

SUMMARY

•  Video Preaching is GOOD within boundaries.
  
• The Preacher (video or otherwise) needs to be accessible to his flock.
  
• The Preacher (video or otherwise) needs to be able to see the issues and deal with them.
  
• Church should be informed by the OT and NT.
  
• Some of the gifts and roles that the 12 Apostles carried out continue today.
  
• Teaching is critical – Preaching is Teaching.
  
• Have Good Preaching
  
• You should expect good preaching – Set the bar high
  

 

Posted by Chris Inness at 1:05 PM 

Labels: church

1 comments:

 Nathan said...

Anyone can be taught to teach. Just like anyone can be taught to ride a bike.

 

Not everyone will want to. But if you can speak, and can understand the bible you can be taught to teach in an adequate manner.

 

Adequate is good enough for most churches - provided the church program (throughout the week/month/year) is not solely focused on preaching.

 

"The myth is that video preaching does not allow the Preacher “to be approached, questioned, conversed with, etc”. This is not true the form/frequency may change but this is more than possible."

 

That's not a myth if we're talking person to person communication and not using technology. Not all uses of technology should be applied to the way we do church - studies show that more than 80% of our communication is non verbal - you can't pastor someone over the internet. You can answer questions.

 

"You’re a true Australian Nathan the tall poppy syndrome."

 

That's bollocks. Absolute bollocks. I'm happy to call people who are exceptional preachers exceptional preachers, and to learn from them. I just don't think we should be replacing live sermons from run of the mill preachers with broadcasts from the exceptional ones.

 

Can you demonstrate from Scripture any justification for anything you've said without refering to Jesus preaching to the 5,000 or the apostles writing letters...

 

"Our understanding of church should be driven from both the OT and NT, some things have changed some things stay the same. I would be concerned to say the early church is unique so it does not have application on church today, same with the OT. "

 

The early church was unique in many many ways - but the instructions about how church should be done - from the apostles to the churches and to ministers they were training create guidelines - I don't see any of these justifying leading a flock by remote control or virtual presence.

 

Re the pedestal comment - I honestly think that the people who spend all their time listening to luminaries like MacArthur, Piper and Driscoll are likely to be unhelpfully critical of Godly, but less gifted, preachers - and that criticism sometimes means missing the point.

 

The fact that we're so keen to jump on fads is akin to the "I follow Paul, I follow Apollos" situation Paul mentions in Corinthians. It's unhelpful and ultimately a distraction from Jesus.

 

The only way we should be assessing preaching is:

a) is it based on the Bible - and faithful to the Bible's message,

b) is it helping me to understand the Bible and Christian living

c) is it encouraging me to love and serve others,

d) does it point people to the Gospel.

 

If you can answer yes to all those points then you've got good teaching. Better teaching than the vast majority of churches around the world today.

 

I'm angry because video preaching driven by the preacher is inherently arrogant, and video preaching driven by adherents is inherently idolatrous.

 

April 01, 2009 1:57 PM