What an age!
I think today is one of the most interesting times technologically. Of course, I doubt anyone will dispute that in my comments, but anyway, I find it so fascinating how easy it is to get information, specifically sermons.
It has only been in the last 10 years or so, and mostly within the last 5, that the only way you could hear sermons without being at a church service was to watch one on TV, listen to one on the radio, or be on a CD/tape distribution list from a church.
Now, it's completely different.
In our technological time, we can go to a church's website and download sermons, prerecorded, or streaming live, on audio or video.
There are also sermon outlets such as aacradio.org, sermonaudio.com, or even subscribe to a podcast on iTunes. (podcasting really blows my mind away...it's automatic)
Now, what are some good and bad things about this?
Well, some good things. It's easier to listen to sermons and find good ones at that, and it also can help in sermon preparation to see how other pastors tackle a particular text. It is also handy because not all churches can afford to be on the radio, but using the internet is cost-effective and it helps people who may be thinking of attending as a potential member, or just on a vacation.
Some of the downsides are that it can be an obsession. I know from having my own website that I want to know how many people actually read my weblog. It's the only area where I actually keep track, but I can see myself wanting to check my church's website stats to see how many people clicked that "audio" page.
It can also be a means for bad churches to spread their false messages. By "bad" I mean churches who either do not teach the Gospel, or have a message that is legalistic, meaning keeping people focused on their performance for God's acceptance rather than Christ's performance. It can also be a recruiting tool for cults because it gives them an effective outlet to spread their message.
Now, the bad things aside, I do think that having sermons online is one of the best things in the world. I listen to sermons online and I know many others who do. I find it to be a beneficial resource and I think that the biggest thing is that the message of the Gospel that is being delivered in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, could be heard by someone in Nigeria, or Russia.
That just blows my mind away.
It has only been in the last 10 years or so, and mostly within the last 5, that the only way you could hear sermons without being at a church service was to watch one on TV, listen to one on the radio, or be on a CD/tape distribution list from a church.
Now, it's completely different.
In our technological time, we can go to a church's website and download sermons, prerecorded, or streaming live, on audio or video.
There are also sermon outlets such as aacradio.org, sermonaudio.com, or even subscribe to a podcast on iTunes. (podcasting really blows my mind away...it's automatic)
Now, what are some good and bad things about this?
Well, some good things. It's easier to listen to sermons and find good ones at that, and it also can help in sermon preparation to see how other pastors tackle a particular text. It is also handy because not all churches can afford to be on the radio, but using the internet is cost-effective and it helps people who may be thinking of attending as a potential member, or just on a vacation.
Some of the downsides are that it can be an obsession. I know from having my own website that I want to know how many people actually read my weblog. It's the only area where I actually keep track, but I can see myself wanting to check my church's website stats to see how many people clicked that "audio" page.
It can also be a means for bad churches to spread their false messages. By "bad" I mean churches who either do not teach the Gospel, or have a message that is legalistic, meaning keeping people focused on their performance for God's acceptance rather than Christ's performance. It can also be a recruiting tool for cults because it gives them an effective outlet to spread their message.
Now, the bad things aside, I do think that having sermons online is one of the best things in the world. I listen to sermons online and I know many others who do. I find it to be a beneficial resource and I think that the biggest thing is that the message of the Gospel that is being delivered in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, could be heard by someone in Nigeria, or Russia.
That just blows my mind away.
posted by Bobby's blog at 9:01 AM
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