Matthew Starner

Today, quality matter more than ever. Check out this quote from Kevin Navarro’s “Complete Worship Service” on the progression of quality through the years:

• Black and White TV…Color TV…High Definition…
• Record Albums…Cassette Tapes…Compact Discs
• Radios…Portable Radios…Boom Boxes…Walkmans
• Telephones…Long Distance With Operators…Direct Dial…Touch-Tone
• Expensive Long Distance…Cheep Long Distance…Internet
• Slide Rulers…Calculators…Computers…Personal Computers…Laptops
• X-Rays…CT Scans…MRI’s…Open MRI’s
• 16mm Movies…Color Movies…Sound Movies…VCR’s…Camcorders…DVD’s
• Carbon Copies…Mimeograph…Photocopies
• Eyeglasses…Contact Lenses…Lasik
• Trains…Propeller Planes…Jet Planes…Jumbo Jets…Supersonic Jets
• U.S. Mail…Special Delivery…FedEx (next day)…Fax (next minute)…Email (instantly)
• Cash…Checks…Credit Cards…ATM’s and Electronic Banking
• Fountain Pens…Ballpoint Pens…Felt-tip pens…Palm Pilots/Pocket PC’s

We live in a culture that is never content with the status quo. What is state of the art one day is outdated and obsolete the next. So what effect does this have on the church? People expect our music to be as good as the latest CD, our website to be as good as Amazon.com, the climate in the building to be as comfortable as the mall, and the list goes on and on.

The key is to not become obsessed with excellence so much so that it hinders our ministry, but to strive to have the best ministry we can with the resources we have been given. So what are some key areas to improve to maintain quality in our experience?

(in no particular order)

• Nursery Facilities or Children’s Ministry This may be the most important area – if kids don’t have a good time, no matter how good your message or music may be, they won’t come back
• Music This is another biggie, expecially since music often makes up a very large portion of the service, often as much as the sermon. If it’s going to take up that much time, it must be as good as it can be.
• Technology You don’t have to run out and spend $40,000 for a state of the art production studio, but take a look at what you already have and see where incrimental improvements can be made. Do you use a VCR for the occasional video clip? Upgrade to DVD for better picture and sound quality. How about your PA. Is it adequate to fill the room you’re in? Maybe it’s time to get a larger amp or new speakers. Bottom line is, start where you are and make improvements as you can over time.

This list could certainly go on, but I think that these are the most important across the board. The point here is that quality does matter more that we often realize. We need to strive for excellence with intention and strategy to bring the best we can offer to God.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” – 1 Corinthians 10:31