OK, so I was reading my newest edition of Church Production Magazine, when I came across a piece that I found both inspiring, and thought-provoking.  The article was written by Karl Moraski, Music Director for Hope Community Church in Raleigh, NC.  The entire article was great, but the part that made me stand and applaud was the following:

"Should we really invest that much money in AV equipment?  If we expect to reach our culture we must keep up with them technically.  Our neighbors and friends who are far from God are used to surround-sound movies in HD and state-of-the-art lighting at concerts and shows they attend.  We want our congregation to bring their friends and not have them turned off because we seem antiquated in our methodology.  I would beg the leadership not to skimp in the area of AV equipment."

And then, my favorite part:

"Extravagant?  Yes.  As extravagant as the perfume that was poured on our Lord’s feet…and Jesus said to her "…wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be talked about in her memory" (Matthew 26:13) Don’t be frivolous, but why not be extravagant for God?  He deserves our best."

Wow.  I finally have a Biblical answer for the times when people ask me why we spend so much on equipment, or set pieces, or whatever.  If we keep the fact that technology isn’t God in perspective, and that technology only exists to help convey the message of God, we can’t be wrong.  Having poor audio in a church doesn’t just mean they don’t have the best audio….it means there is a distraction…something that can prohibit the Word of God from reaching every ear in the house as cleanly as it should.  Churches shouldn’t go into debt just for the sake of technology.  But remember that seekers or new church-goers tend to look for things that will discredit the church…..as Karl said above, if we "look" or "feel" antiquated, they disengage, and we have lost our chance.  So, for those who say we spend too much on technology, or furniture, or marketing, or anything, consider the verse above.  There are unfortunately hundreds of churches nationwide that spend no money on anything, and it is apparent in every service they hold.  People’s salvation doesn’t revolve around the church budget, and it shouldn’t.  Any money spent, for even one saved soul, is worth the cost. 

If you are interested in this topic, check out Chris’ Website for another story on this same idea of when is it OK to be Extravagant for God?