SMILE, YOU MAY BE ON CAMERA

SMILE, YOU MAY BE ON CAMERA

After I got my ION Air Pro 3 Action Cam and head-strap I jokingly said that preachers should wear one during services. After all, pastors are often recorded during services, making their mistakes easy targets of their critics. I thought it would be fun for everyone to see what the pastor sees during service. People coming in late, fidgeting, reading, talking, texting, clipping nails, writing letters, glaring at other people, sleeping, making faces, acting bored, saying awkward things.

Of course, the camera cannot tell what is happening in the mind of the pastor as he watches what appears to be a three ring circus, while he is trying to minister the love and word of God simultaneously with the "floor show" in the sanctuary.

I realize that people think they can read their pastor like a book, but it is likely that most of his feelings and reactions are not telegraphed. If they were, then there would probably be fewer folks in church. Not because he would necessarily have a bad attitude, but because he sees and hears far more distractions and problems than he openly acknowledges. And remember, he is also trying to maintain decorum though there are people who are so self centered that they don't care if they do hurt other people. If people think the pastor makes some funny (or not so funny) comments in his attempt to bring God's message in the face of rudeness, inconsideration, and sometimes negative attitudes and reactions, then they should see what he sees.

Come to think of it, pastors should not wear that head cam. They usually have their hands full just getting the job done, without inciting the congregation with such a side show.