That’s cool…push back is good and necessary.

I will also say that a feedback loop can be done in a lot of different ways, just not through technology, though this is what I chose to talk about in this post.

I work with couples in counseling talking about feedback loops in their marriage as well. And that’s very different than something like this.

So it can be done in lots of different ways, mediums, etc.

Just thinking ahead…thanks for you thoughts.

Rhett

I want to push back against this…

not because I don’t think feedback loops are good, I just personally think I can get along without them. And until we have a church full of young hipsters, which a lot of churches aren’t, then is this really a “must have”?

However …. as I type this, I realize that I can’t stop twittering as I prepare to teach. When I come across fun stuff, I can’t help but finding a way to work it into a Tweet..

So I’ll keep mulling it over.

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

Bill,

Lots of great thoughts. Thanks for sharing. We need to get coffee sometime. I would like to sit down and chat with you about this and many other things. I can imagine that there are a variety of opinions on what a service should look like. I too would like to see churches in general be more creative in their worship service and not rely simply on music, or the sermon, etc. I think what happens (cause I’ve been there) is that we get a bit lazy…lazy, not that we aren’t working hard, but lazy in that we get comfortable with a style or form, and we just sort of get stuck in that rut or form. We fail to take risks and try new things…safety tends to be the name of the game.

And I think we are afraid to change things up, fearing that we might lose congregants if we shake some things up, etc.

I’m just curious about the feedback loop….because it’s an important thing in many areas (therapy, couple communication, churches, speaking, etc, etc.)…I see many things through the lens of a system, and so the feedback loop into the system is important.

rhett

Seriously, there is some percentage (how’s that for not taking a position) of the IBC body who bristle at the idea of going into a big room, lining up in seats that face one direction and listening to one person talk “to” them for 35+ minutes.

Others have no problem at with it at all.

IBC spends a great deal of effort in making every aspect of the 80 minutes we have an element of worship. Some folks enter with that as their goal – but others don’t. We try to move folks towards that because we do believe in the benefit of a corporate worship time and a corporate time to be admonished, encouraged, taught and inspired . . . and that is as valid a reason for God to want us to gather as could be imagined.

Personally, I would just once love to see a “worship” service that didn’t rely on music, repetitive chorus, dim lights and a plea to my sensitive side. If for no other reason than to emphasize the diversity in which we can “worship” God . . . but I digress.

The topic at hand is how does one deal with, encourage, respond to, maximize the benefits of and minimize the distractions of a feedback loop during a message on Sunday – without being cheesy or come across as “trying to be cool”.

I would like to hear how others have tried it and if they feel that have succeeded.

thanks,
S
moonmonkeycoffeecompany/blogspot.com

Good thoughts. Here is one of several posts I wrote a ways back on preaching, teaching, conversation, etc.

http://rhettsmith.com/2006/08/30/preaching-teaching-lecturing-dialogue-or-conversation/

I do see preaching as different than conference speaking…I was somewhat playing devil’s advocate. But I do think some of our forms need to change. I think there are other means/methods to preach and engage one’s audience than to continue the way it has been done for a long time…just because it’s always been done that way. Not that you are saying that.

As for feedback loops, it could be twitter or text messaging during the service. It could be a discussion or Q and A time at the end. I think pastors can more fully engage their audiences.

Also, I am going to say this. I think there is resistance to this also because of our egos and authority that we as pastors often hold in the pulpit. It is the one place where they have everyone’s attention. Supposed attention at least. And to give that up I think would strike a huge blow to many…There is too much power and authority in that moment and I don’t mean the text here, but power and authority for that person to just relinquish control. I may sound negative, but I think that’s a huge piece.

The church is often last to give up control and include others…that’s why I’m not surprised that secular culture may lead the way on this one.

rhett