Animatronic band takes guesswork out of worship

From Lark News:

PLANO ó On Sunday morning at High Valley Community Church, the curtains part to reveal a 10-piece band of mannequins which springs to life at the touch of a button. "Good morning everybody!" says lead animatron "Steve," a male mannequin with blond hair and a beaming smile. "Let's worship God!" They launch into a flawless version of "Open the Eyes of My Heart," and the animatrons "play" their instruments while people in the audience clap and sing along. It has taken a few months to get used to them, but the people at High Valley have embraced the burgeoning trend in electronic worship leaders. "I thought I'd miss the human element, but these machines are so real," says Douglas Wilson, 62. "And I appreciate the consistency."

A new line of preaching mannequins is expected soon.

Comments

[Trish]

I think I saw this kind of a thing at Chucky Cheese's when I was a kid. Sounds cool !!!

[Arthur]

Gimme a break! Next thing you know they'll be putting animatronic worshippers in the pews! Or are they already doing that?

[Trish]

Yeah but think of the spiritual gift of craftsmanship that has been required to build the animatrons. And it's not like we don't already use canned music for sound tracks when people sing. What's the diff? Technology can serve colourful purposes for God.

[Arthur]

For me the difference is simple: Canned music is used to backup singers when the available band/orchestra/choir is not conversant with the music/composition chosen. I suppose one could argue that the church in question either is so small that they do not have enough members to form a band, or the members they do have do not have the expertise to perform with excellence. I don't know their circumstances, so in that respect I cannot pass judgement. However, my first inclination is to question whether the people involved are merely using a robotic band as a "novel" way of attracting new members, or if, in their desire for excellence, they are simply not allowing their existing members to utilize their (imperfect) talents. I am reminded of a story I read in a Christian magazine about a person who was present at a Gospel Music presentation in a home for the elderly. The band was not very good, and made more than a few mistakes. One of the lead singers had a very flat voice and was having difficulty staying in tune. The person was actually embarrassed for them, believing that the band was making fools of themselves, and actually prayed that The Lord would make them stop. She claims that Jesus told her that, far from being embarrassed by the poor performance, He was in reality proud of the group. Jesus told her He actually enjoyed their singing, much like the way a mother enjoys the off-key singing of her children. Besides, He pointed out, the elderly folk listening didn't seem to care that the performance wasn't perfect. They were too busy singing along and having a good time. Maybe I should not have jumped to conclusions and rushed to judgement, and for that I apologise. I can even acknowledge the talent required to build the animatrons. My belief, however, is that this type of "worship" should not take the place of regular folk leading the worship service as a permanent thing. I think it has entertainment value, and should be used in that context only. Otherwise, ....and this was my point...., why not just replace the entire congregation with animatrons as well? If we can't be bothered to worship in person, why can't we just have our robotic persona hear the sermon as well? That way we do not have to put in any effort ourselves.

[Rick]

Wow, this really makes you sit back and think about what worship accomplishes.. I see corporate worship as so much more than just being a part of a "good show". It is our biggest opportunity for the body of Christ to come together and use their spiritual gifts, bond in unity, and fellowship. I don't see how animatronics helps us accomplish any of those. If it works to draw visitors that are interested in seeing the "show" maybe some good can come out of it, but I'd rather have live, dynamic worship that responds to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

[Darryl]

I got in trouble for doing this to someone else a little while ago. The article is satire. Still, it wouldn't hurt to look into Animatronic preachers, would it?

[Arthur]

Fooled by my own brother! Seems to me that I could now claim grounds for justifiable homicide! But you know what? I found myself defending worshipping The Lord in person regardless of our lack of perfection, rather than relying on animatrons to lead us in worship if all we were looking for was consistency and excellence. The problem with that is I am one of those who have left the church as an institution because I have convinced myself that the church is largely irrelevant in today's society! Now I find that all I have been doing for the last several years is looking for excuses not to attend and blaming the Church for it's perceived imperfections. Methinks I have convicted myself with the words out of my own mouth. I repent!!! But one final word on the subject: I was under the impression that the senior pastor at Richview was already animatronic. Was I mistaken there, too?