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UMCONNECTION STAFF
BY LINDA WORTHINGTON

As they watched the screen, some of the 98 attendees at the recent 'Worship: Behind the Scenes' workshop laughed. Some looked puzzled. Others just whispered to each other.

Something was wrong.

They were watching a video of a worship service where, in fact, everything was going wrong. The service was riddled with mistakes and distractions, including sound distortions and feedback, projected slides difficult or impossible to read or not matching the verbal message, the band not always together, and inappropriate interaction between members of the band and worship leaders.

Fortunately, this was just a game. Participants in the workshop had to identify as many distractions and 'wrong things' as they could. Often as not, technology was to blame.

'How can we know our electronic technology is enhancing worship or distracting from it,' asked Cathy Vitek, worship leader at Bethany UMC in Ellicott City.

She introduced a 'distractions list' and instructed the audience to match the distractions with what was happening in the service. By learning what can go wrong, churches can fix it and make it right, all to reach the goal of worship, which is 'to always glorify God,' Vitek said.

'In my sanctuary, the glory of God does not always present itself when I walk in,' she said.

'Technology is only a tool; ministry is from the heart,' said Jo Chesson, director of the conference?s Resource Center and one of the presenters at the workshop.

The attention span of youth is shrinking, Chesson said, and even mature adults 'don?t want to spend an hour looking at a stained glass window or cross.' Chesson defended the use of projection screens in sanctuaries, noting, 'Even the elderly like to look up at a screen instead of at tiny little print.'

'We?ve experienced all of (the distractions) - sometimes in the course of one service,' Sharon Lomax of Queen?s Chapel UMC in Beltsville said, somewhat facetiously.

'I came to the workshop to see how we can make our worship come alive,' said Nancy Robinson from Community UMC in Maryland City. 'We?re just beginning. I didn?t know what to expect.'

Robinson?s pastor, the Rev. Saroj Sangha, commented on the need for training for both clergy and laity. 'We are seeking and searching,' she said.

Worship, whether alternative or traditional, as well as every ministry in the church, must be based on Scripture, said the Rev. Mike Sharp. 'All the tools and technology at our disposal pale in comparison to what is called of us by God.'

Sharp led a group in the afternoon on 'sound,' one of four breakout groups. 'We?re trying to give you tools to have a good sound system,' he said. He pointed out that all churches are different but they all have dead spots, balconies, corners and edges where sound is distorted.

The largest breakout group gathered to learn more on forming worship teams.

'Worship moves from ?we? to ?I? as it comes to the time for the message,' Vitek said. She explained that at the beginning, the congregation is singing and praying collectively, but as the worship progresses, it brings the individual into relationship with God.

'Always keep your focus on God,' she said.

Whether the service is traditional, alternative or blended, all of which were represented in the audience, the worship team should pick a theme, said Vitek. This is usually based on the sermon and Scripture.

'The goal is to reinforce the Word of the week' and lead the congregation to glorifying God, she said.

Use of audio visual equipment was another popular breakout group. Chesson emphasized the importance of having the right equipment for a particular church, as well as appropriate lighting and atmosphere. She also stressed that it?s worth spending the money to have quality equipment.

A half dozen vendors had their sound and audio visual equipment on display, readily answering questions about their respective fields of expertise and the equipment itself.

SIDEBAR:
For information on licensing requirements, Christian copyright licensing, fees and legal matters, see www.CCLI.com.

For information on vendors, equipment and technology, contact Jo Chesson, at (410) 309-3490 or