Should media be used in a worship service?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Media can be helpful and strengthen worship, but it becomes a problem when it distracts, entertains, or replaces genuine devotion. Worship must be set apart for God and not shaped by the practices of the surrounding culture (Deuteronomy 12:1–5). Worship is also to be rooted in spirit and truth, not entertainment (John 4:23; Acts 20:7; Ephesians 5:19). Media can function like Jesus’ parables—visual or illustrative tools that clarify truth—so long as it is spiritually edifying and not drawn from profane or unwise sources (Mark 4:34; 1 Corinthians 10:23–24). Tools like screens, song lyrics, or sermon visuals can genuinely help people engage, yet churches must guard against using media to appear trendy or to manufacture emotional experiences. Because congregations differ, each church must seek wisdom, humility, and unity as they discern what is helpful within their context (Ephesians 4:3). Ultimately, media is neither required nor forbidden—its value depends entirely on whether it draws people toward God or distracts them from Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God instructed the Israelites to not worship in the same manner or location as the pagans (Deuteronomy 12:1–5). They had specific ways and restrictions in which they were allowed to worship and approach God.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• We are to worship God in spirit and truth and can draw near to His throne with confidence at any time (John 4:23; Hebrews 4:16).
• The New Testament describes some of the ways the early church worshiped: they prayed (1 Corinthians 14:15–16), sang (Ephesians 5:19), gave offerings (1 Corinthians 16:2), read the Scriptures (Colossians 4:16), and took communion, the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7).
• Our worship services should help us to draw near to God, keep our hearts set on faith and hope, and spur us on to good deeds, love, and the encouragement of one another (Hebrews 10:19–25). The use of media within worship services should serve the same purposes listed above: draw our focus to God, keep our hearts full of faith and hope, and encourage us to love and do good to one another.
• Jesus shared parables, stories that illustrate a point, in many of His teachings (Mark 4:34). In a modern setting, a minister could utilize media in the form of a movie clip, for instance, to exemplify a point he is making. Both parables and any type of media can serve as a means by which people can more easily understand the truths of God's kingdom. The important thing is to choose media that is edifying. If choosing to utilize media clips, make sure that the root source of the clip is not profane or vulgar, so as to not set an unwise example of what type of media is acceptable to consume. While all things may be permissible, not all things are wise (1 Corinthians 10:23–24).
• Media does not need to be used in a worship service, but things like having the words to the songs or the Bible reference being used projected on a screen can be helpful. On the other hand, asking congregants to bring their Bibles or look at the references in a Bible provided in the pews might be seen as beneficial in encouraging people to read the Bible for themselves. Different people will have different opinions on what type of media is useful and what type of media is distracting. Open conversation, seeking compromise with one another, and wisdom from the Lord should help churches that have a difference of opinion within their membership. Above all, "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3 [NIV]).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Media, in its many forms, is a part of the modern world. As such, it can be a great tool to use within modern worship services, but it can also be a great distraction within a worship service, just as it can be in any context without proper boundaries. People have varying opinions as to the role that media should play within our worship, and it is likely that there should be different boundaries in different churches based on their unique congregational context.

The early church used whatever they had and found a way to honor God with it. In a similar way, we should use what is available to us and find a way to use it to bring honor to God. We, too, can make use of what we have. It is okay to utilize modern media in our worship services, provided we are using it in a way that enhances the focus on God.

The use of media should by no means be prohibited, but the main thing is to ensure that the media is not being used in a way that would detract from the worship of God. When utilizing media in a worship service, ask: What is the motive behind using it? Does it enhance the worship or serve to illustrate a point during the sermon? If so, by all means include it. But, on the other hand, does it distract from the purpose it was intended to enhance? Take a pause and reconsider. Media should not be used to make a church appear more "relevant" or "trendy" or to manufacture a specific emotion. Instead, media should be utilized in a functional way to serve a useful purpose within the service and point people to God.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible neither commands nor forbids media in worship.
• Media can be helpful and function like Jesus’ parables—clarifying truth—but it can also be distracting or worldly.
• Media is useful when it draws people to God.

REFLECT

• How does media in a worship service affect your ability to focus your heart on God, rather than on the presentation?
• How can you discern whether the media you engage with in worship is drawing you closer to God or simply entertaining you?
• What can you do to ensure media enhances worship, rather than distracts?

ENGAGE

• How can we evaluate whether certain forms of media truly help our worship?
• What principles from God’s Word should guide our discussions about what types of media are appropriate or distracting in our worship gatherings?
• How can the church maintain unity and exercise discernment when members differ on what media they think is helpful or unhelpful in worship?