No Plug, No Play, No Worship The Role of Technology in the Space and Time of Contemporary Worship

The Most Electronically Dependent Form of Christian Worship Ever?

Technological Dependence Came Early

“In a world accustomed to seeing action on television, motion is recognized as an important form of expression. We are no longer in a radio era. More than word and noise is necessary if we are to express our worship to the best of our ability.” James F. White, The Worldliness of Worship (New York: Oxford University Press, 1967).

Technological Impacts on The History of Contemporary Worship Closer management of time in worship (in-temporaneity) Fluidity of space Reshaped church staffing Reshaped ritual model upon which worship is based

Impact on Church Architecture

Common Spaces and Centers White’s 6 liturgical spaces: gathering (G), movement (M), congregational (C), choir (CH), baptismal (B), altar-table (sanctuary) (A-T) White’s 3 or 4 liturgical centers: baptismal font/pool (b), altar/table (a-t), presider’s chair (pc), pulpit/ambo/lectern (p and l)

Thinking Through Goodson Chapel, As Is pc a-t l p A-T C C M CH↑ M M M M B G C C M G

Thinking Through Likely Goodson Chapel, If Built 100 Years Ago M C C l M A - T CH M M a-t G CH M p PC C C M B b

Another Likely Configuration During That Era M C C M A - T M M G a-t p PC CH M C C M B b

Common Spaces and Centers, Adapted White’s list adapted list for a typical contemporary worship building: Spaces: Standard: gathering (G), movement (M), congregational (C), platform-stage (P-S), Occasional: baptismal (B), altar-table (A-T) Centers: Occasional: baptismal font/pool (b), altar-table (a-t) Standard, presuming increasing levels of technology: sound control (front of house booth) (sc) projection (screen/monitor (sm) and projector (pr) with computer graphics (cg) control) lighting control (lc) videography (v) production room (pr)

Goodson Chapel, Contemporary Worship Overhaul sm sm sm P-S C C M G pr pr pr M C C M sc, lc, cg M sm G

Contemporary Worship, Minimalist: Hillsborough United Methodist Church - T M M a-t p PC G M C C M B b Original design

Contemporary Worship, Minimalist: Hillsborough United Methodist Church P-S C C M M M A - T G C C a-t p PC M M M sc↑ C C pr (portable) B b (wall) Contemporary Adaptation

C C G M M sc, cg C C P-S sm M M G b a-t C C Contemporary Worship, Christian Life Center, White Plains United Methodist Church, Cary, North Carolina C C G M M sc, cg (movable) C pr C P-S sm M M G b a-t C C

Contemporary Worship, New Hope, Durham v (roving) sm sm P-S v (boom) C v (roving) C C C sc, lc v v pr: v, cg↑