If Church Is Not A Show, Then Why Have Theatrical Lights?

A while back, we wrote a blog post that created quite a buzz in the church world, and not in a way that I was happy with. We had written a blog post with the goal of answering the question: If Church Is Not A Show, Then Why Have Theatrical Lights?

We explained the practical application of stage lighting, and that part was ok. It was in the theology that I think we failed, and thus I now set about to pen this second address of that topic. 

The truth is, I don’t believe that, and someone quickly pointed out the flaws of my argument. A man said, if my wife asked me to print a family portrait for our wall and I put up antlers instead, would it be ok because I was doing what I thought was making the house more beautiful? If she could judge my intentions as being good, then would it equal doing what she wants? Would I soon not turn our home into something very different than what she desired? 

That’s not to say the blog post was not well received. It had the most likes and shares we had ever gotten, and was for the most part praised. However, I was uneasy as I tended to agree more with the detractors than those who simply said, “Great Read!”

I believe companies, like money, are amoral. It is the people inside of them that make them vehicles for good or for bad. Springtree is not a Christian company; it’s a company filled with Christians. This is reflected in our moral code of stewardship that we take very seriously! This blog post is the viewpoint of a single team member, Brandon Vaque.

So the point being made by that smart man was that it is not important what we want, but what God wants. That is something only the Word and Spirit can show.

I don’t think there is an easy answer. Like the Bible is varied in genre and style, I think the body too will reflect variety in application. I think biblical fellowships in China will have a very different look than congregations in Kentucky. I think that two different fellowships in Louisville, Kentucky could look very different, as the Kingdom is expressed in different people. Diversity in form does not mean a lack of unity. Apostle Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” I (Brandon) am a huge Francis Chan fan. I love house church. I believe that they are a great way of fostering community, and pushing people to use their gifts. My brother-in-law is a pastor, and he holds a different view. Seekers have a preconceived notion of what Church looks like. Their fellowship constantly utilizes great production values, social media outreach, and focused branding. The result is that they get a consistent stream of visitors, and these visitors are not just church hopping, but unchurched people who are seeking God. They produce great services while remaining rooted in the Bible.

So we don’t have an answer, but we do have an encouragement. Don’t judge others. “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.” But I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that.

God Bless!

Proper stage lighting provides a clear focal point, helping us see better and reducing distractions around us.

Most meeting spaces are evenly illuminated, which is fine when there doesn’t need to be a center of focus. Yet, when we gather to hear someone speak or lead us in worship, if the stage lighting is not even, or ideally brighter than the rest of the room, your eyes tend to get fatigued quickly. So, while we hope that the congregation will do everything they can to remain focused, adding stage lighting helps get distractions out of the way so they can focus on what’s important.

While we can’t answer the theological questions, we can provide incredible pricing.

Thanks for reading!

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