Mega Mics

 I've pondered how microphones may have changed the simplicity of Churches and opened the door for modern mega churches.

Some history via googleAI :

"The churches that don't use microphones, speakers (like priests or pastors) rely on projecting their voices and utilizing the natural acoustics of the space, often with elevated pulpits and "sounding boards" to enhance sound clarity for the congregation. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Elevated Pulpits:

Pulpits were traditionally placed in the center of the church and elevated to ensure the speaker could be seen and heard by as many people as possible. 

Sounding Boards:

Pulpits often had a "sounding board" or abat-voix above them to help direct and amplify the speaker's voice. 

Acoustics of Stone Churches:

The stone walls of churches and cathedrals naturally allow sound to reverberate, creating a rich, resonant sound that can carry over large distances. 

Voice Projection:

Speakers in churches without microphones need to project their voices clearly and use a singsong-like tone of voice that carries far. "

"While it's difficult to pinpoint a single "first" church, microphones and speakers were widely introduced into Catholic churches for liturgical purposes starting in the early 1920s, and by the 1930s and 1940s, they were found on altars and used for various purposes, including radio broadcasts and televised masses. "

"The first patented microphone was invented in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell. However, the history of microphones goes back to the 1600s when scientists began trying to amplify sound. 

Early microphone history

1861: Johann Philipp Reis built a sound transmitter that used a metallic strip and vibrating membrane 

1870s: David Edward Hughes invented a carbon microphone 

1875: Alexander Graham Bell's electro-magnetic microphone could process intelligible speech 

1876: Alexander Graham Bell patented his first microphone, which used a wire to conduct direct current 

1877: Emile Berliner added a steel ball to Bell's design 

1916: E.C. Wente created the first condenser microphone 

Microphone development

The carbon microphone was key to the development of telephony, broadcasting, and recording. The first dynamic microphone was invented in 1931. 

Microphones convert sound waves into electrical voltages that are then amplified through speakers. They are most often associated with the music and entertainment industries. "

_______

Looking back, a modern mega church would not have existed.  Add no Internet or no radio or no television and the whole landscape changes. Now all these many scattered small churches we see make a clearer understanding. Take cars away and it's a whole new perspective of what 'normal' is for churches.

In today's tech world, there can be a jealous factor rise when a similar church opens in an area.  In the extreme version,  some believe theirs should be the only church of its kind in a very large area - that seems to be growing wider as technology increases.

Without cars, a church needed to be near the homes. With cars choices broadened. With radio, a bonus extra appeared but didn't give church going much. But the microphone was now alive.  

Microphones brought in television which started a large mixed tree of television Evangelists.  It is when the electronic preachers begin to view themselves as pastors that the seed was planted and quickly watered that grew into this we have today. 

Everyone who felt they had the only truth could now start larger followers nationally and then globally. This was an abrupt exit from the Bible way.

Money : yes, the main inspiration and main hinderer of the modern churches. Rarely is there a program given freely without at some point asking for money. 

Remember,  it's always a mixed tree of good and evil. 

Does God actually need a multi media invention to spread His Word?  Nope. 

How many churches could exist without just this one item on our list - microphones?

There is a belief that technology is getting the Word to the people.  Paradoxically the numbers of a high percentage of churches are nose diving. So if all else fails, go digital!

I do not believe anyone should make a person their Pastor if they cannot get to that church in person,  if able.  Likewise, a Pastor should not receive the money from far off people who could never be there in person.

The internet has created humans in other countries who believe a Minister that is thousands of miles away, is their Pastor. This is improper. 

When a 'truth' becomes so strong that it creates this scenario, then it has been distorted from God's way.  Yes, Martin Luther had the printing press, but his writings gave no one a revelation. God handles that Himself quite successfully. Luther's writings did help start a powerful religious political move that shook Europe. No one gets revelation or salvation from a political move.  They just end up picking a new team.

Unplug electronics and watch them drop.

Unplug electronics and God never quivers an inch.

Is technology useful to God? If He wants it to be. 

Ever hear the line,  "That Preacher is a sheep stealer!"?  Interesting, since the Owner of the Sheep is God, not the servants.  But let another church open and a few shift locations and many times it is not a pretty sight.  

Money, women, popularity has been said are the vices a Minister must keep in check. If a church opens with super media presence and some Sheep go there, that is between them and God.  No one owns the sheep but God. Of the move ends up a choke, God will help.  Now if the Sheep go to another Bible based simple Church, there is no excuse for jealousy, threats, or aggressiveness - none of which are Biblical choices.

Deciding if someone like a minister is a wolf - is dangerous territory.  A Minister must always remind themselves that they are a servant, a slave, the smallest position in the church, - to the people that enter the church doors.  They can care,  but they cannot control.  They can warn with wisdom, but there is a fine line they can cross that makes them spiritual bullies or spiritual narcissist. 

Great damage can be done by the threats from a Pastor. Humans are timid. A Preacher emotionally controlling is creating more damage than good. The seed he plants will become a harvest that he and those around him will greatly suffer with. 

Enter mega churches and mega microphones. God may want 10 people to gather. God may want a larger group.  But this did not change the template of the true Gospel. It makes great fellowships which is very nice in a cruel world. When it gets so cozy, God will usually move many of His hungry Children out and make sure they can gather and be fed somewhere else. God is very clear, "where two or more gather in my Name there I am in your midst". Therefore,  two people can be a Biblical Church.

I'm not against fellowships systems, unless the Gospel template gets crunched by all the happiness. 

Being a true Pastor is the hardest job.  The results are never truly seen until we all gather in Heaven. Likewise, only God can give someone revelation - not the Minister. It truly is a job where success cannot be measured. 

What's the solution?  Keep the template of Acts 2 clean, and put up with this basket of technology.. in that order.

This is what I believe.. comma,

T.H.Tatman

GodComma.com 

.