John Piper does it. Tim Keller does it.

The question is, can every other preacher do it?

Great preaching is just one of those things where you know you’re looking at it when you see it.

But the question is can great preaching include illustrations that are more than literary depictions put forth with the vocal chords?

John Piper doesn’t think so!

It may not get you into hell, ‘in the short run’ says Piper as noted by some that follow his teaching on preaching. He says it is a crutch for the lazy in the pulpit. Just listen to his argument against using movie or other video clips as supporting sermon illustrations . . . (more…)

Three churches are now streaming live worship services on the media-magnet, the Apple iPhone.

Northland in Florida is the latest to join the soon-to-be crowded iBandwagon for sure.  It’s only a matter of time before iPhone streaming announcements are made on a monthly or weekly basis by each additional church trying to reach the digerati generation with their own live Church.

This sounds slick, cool, hip and “with-it” for churches to jump to broadcasting via iPhone.  But are you really able to authentically worship God on an iPhone or iPod Touch?

For those that are staunch advocates to use any and all technology available to bring church to the people — Do you loose anything in the iPhone iGod experience?

Is the iGod you meet on the iPhone while you’re in your car, at the mall or in line to buy a frosty at the drive thru, the same God that you meet in the holy sanctuary of a brick and mortar church?

As a techie, I wholey embrace the online worship space as it is experimenting and developing its own identity right now.  But I’m not fully convinced yet if trying to distribute live worship services on the iPhone as if it is like any other interactive content is completely valid.

Would you help me sort this out and add your own thoughts on the matter?  Please leave a comment below.