It's interesting having led a traveling singing group and now visiting some churches to see how many styles of worship there are. Despite our shared liturgy, Book of Worship, hymnal, and seminary-trained clergy, our worship is as varied as our people. During my travels, I've paid close attention to the use of screens in worship and how they appear to affect congregational singing. In thinking about the changing worship landscape, I've made these observations.
Positive Aspects of Screens in Worship
⦁ Screens seem to appeal to younger people who have been raised with TV and video. Younger people are comfortable with technology; and, in part, are defined by it.
⦁ Screens bring worshipers' eyes and focus up rather than down and buried in a hymnal or bulletin. This can lead to more recognition of the community at work rather than the individual.
⦁ With worshipers focused more up than down, there is more interaction and engagement with the worship leader.
⦁ Projection of hymn texts, Scripture, liturgy, and other elements of worship emphasizes words and text, perhaps leading to increased understanding and internalization.
⦁ The text-only format allows for a natural presentation of the literary and poetic form of the hymn text rather than breaking it up unnaturally and interlining it with the music. That's if the person uploading the text pays any attention to formatting.
⦁ The use of projection allows for the selection of worship materials from a wider range than what is contained in a hymnal. The use of a hymnal "freezes" the repertoire unless additional songbooks or supplements are made available.
⦁ Projection allows for the incorporation of multimedia (audio, video, film, illustrations, art) in worship.
⦁ Projection removes the expense of providing hymnals and Bibles in the pews.
Negative Aspects of Screens in Worship
⦁ What appeals to young people often offends or hinders older people who are accustomed to handheld print resources. Conflict or loss of attendance may result.
⦁ Nearly all hymn projection is words only, with the following consequences:
1. Loss of the melody, which even nonmusicians can use to facilitate singing the right notes, especially on an unfamiliar or difficult hymn.
2. Loss of normal hymnal harmonizations leads to primarily unison singing and loss of the beauty of harmony.
3. Absence of music leads to loss of and nondevelopment of musical skills.
4. The absence of hymnal and Bible in the pews eliminates both as individual devotional tools for the worshipers.
⦁ Screens can destroy the aesthetics and beauty of the sanctuary.
⦁ Projection complicates worship planning by requiring longer lead and preparation time prior to worship.
⦁ It also removes any flexibility in which verse or verses are to be sung, or repeated. And it eliminates any spontaneity in the worship service.
⦁ It takes a long time for a new hymn or a new song to really get to the point at which it is sung well. I have watched the congregation muddle through a recently introduced song in such a lackluster way that it begs the question, Is this the right song for congregation singing or is it better used in a sole/group setting?
⦁ Projection requires close attention to the details of copyright law, music licensing, spelling, and punctuation, adding staff time and expense, and requiring a thorough understanding of how to apply the law and licensing legally — a daunting challenge.
⦁ Projection relies on an uninterrupted flow of electricity, possibly the internet, and especially, the next screen being flashed up for the singers to anticipate the next set of words.
⦁ Projection requires considerable expense to purchase and install equipment.
⦁ There are ongoing needs for software, updates, and trained technical staff (versus the fixed expense of purchasing a hymnal).
⦁ For many, the ability to hold and use a hymnal is a primary connection to the history and tradition of the faith. The loss of a hymnal for many results in a loss of that connection to their faith or denomination.
There is one more aspect of the presence and use of screens in worship that some will see as positive and others will see as negative, and that is that the use of screens may imply several things to members and visitors:
1. This church practices contemporary worship.
2. This church incorporates contemporary music.
3. This church is more attuned to youth than to older generations.
If I may, allow me to make one suggestion. I got this idea from a Messiah Sing-along. Not only were the lyrics projected on the screens, but also the whole score. I could follow the melody and harmony with ease. I know the technology is there, but may I suggest we go one step further and implement it rather than take the easy route. Let’s step into the twenty-first century and fully embrace the challenges and the solutions.
Screens, of course, cannot by themselves serve as proof of these three implications. Other proofs might include architecture, guitars and drums, worship furnishings and symbols, informality versus formality, structure, and content of the liturgy, the language of worship, presence or absence of choirs or praise teams and bands, even the way worshipers are dressed, which is a discussion for another day.
So, SHOULD churches install and use screens to project hymns and liturgy for worship? That is a decision to be made by each congregation. But what we do not know is the trend is permanent and long-lasting.
For your listening pleasure, I submit to you; March On, Church United.
The only person who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper. My generation is aging out. The church doesn't need to cater to my generation, but neither can it ignore us. There is always a concern among pastors as to how they can make changes and still not offend the majority.
I don't mind the screens in church. It will happen sooner or later whether I like it or not. Besides, to perhaps 70% of churchgoers, the musical notation means nothing.