Trinity United Methodist Church on Farnsworth Avenue in Bordentown City had added music and technology as part of its outreach to younger parishioners.
By: Stephanie Prokop
BORDENTOWN CITYWhat do people get when they take laptops and projection screens into a traditional Sunday church service?
No, they don’t get a scolding from the pastor, but rather a new, innovative approach to worship.
Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 339 Farnsworth Ave., is taking that route, and according to Pastor Tom Miller, the congregation is looking to attract younger parishioners.
"It’s basically enhanced worship with visual aids," the Rev. Miller explained. "I kinda got spoiled by it, (because the previous) church I had come from (Indian Mills United Methodist Church), we had been equipped for that, and I also was instrumental in a praise band."
The services are conducted by someone operating a laptop with a PowerPoint- like program that projects hymns, sermon points, and song lyrics and pictures up onto a screen, in the front of the church. Parishioners can see the words of Scripture up on the screen in a much bigger font than if they were reading it out of a book.
"To my surprise there was a favorable response to it," said the Rev. Miller about the new technology. "Now I think even our older members enjoy it, because the font is so large up on our big screen."
The addition has also been "a team effort all the way," according to the Rev. Miller, because it takes a couple of people to help operate the equipment, from the laptop to the screen, by both setting it up and taking it down.
The Rev. Miller was also impressed by his fellow clergy members’ responses, as he showed off the newest technology during a recent Thanksgiving Eve service.
The Rev. Miller also said that while having new technology appear in worship services is a draw for younger people, it’s only one component.
Sine being appointed to the Trinity United Methodist Church in July 2005, the Rev. Miller said he has been set on establishing a vital youth ministry program.
"I was appointed to Bordentown to develop youth ministry and it’s just been wonderful working with some of our older members," he said. "For the last 16-18 months, we’ve been very proactive with getting a youth group together, and getting the teenagers involved in a Praise Team at Trinity United Methodist Church," he said.
The 15-member group recently performed at the Cranberry Festival in October in the city."I am very affirmed by their commitment and that they aren’t ashamed or embarrassed by the gospel," the Rev. Miller said.
According to Rev. Miller, future plans include a Christmas Eve service that will hopefully include members of the youth ministry sharing their gift and singing some Christmas songs for the congregation.
As for more long-term projects, Rev. Miller is trying to organize a summer camp approach, although he isn’t sure as to what the format will specifically be.
"I’m hoping to expand the youth program in summer 2007 some kind of a summer camp kind of approach, which would involve youth in the city program."

