Abstract
The chapter focuses on the interplay of light and sound technologies used in the production of megachurch worship services. Drawing on participant observation at megachurches in the United States, Singapore, and Australia, the chapter shows that worship services are multisensory events in which lighting, audiovisual, and sound technologies are used to structure the worship service, to support the performance on stage, and to create an immersive atmosphere in which worshipers can encounter divine presence. The chapter demonstrates that megachurches' intentional use of lighting and audiovisual technologies can turn the capacious space of a megachurch auditorium into a space of intimate encounters with God mediated through sight and sound.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Routledge Handbook of Megachurches |
| Editors | Afe Adogame, Chad M. Bauman, Damaris Seleina Parsitau, Jeaney Yip |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Chapter | 14 |
| Pages | 207-220 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Edition | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781003222613 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781032120072 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 selection and editorial matter, Afe Adogame, Chad M. Bauman, Damaris Parsitau, and Jeaney Yip; individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- megachurch
- megachurch technology
- evangelicalism
- Charismatic Christianity
- worship service
- religion and technology
- religion and media
- multisensory worship
- religion and emotion