They don’t write editorials like that any more — ‘Phonograph Sermons’

There’s more to the job of a pastor than just preaching, so congregations and denominations should increase pastor salaries to encourage more people to become clergy, The Post-Star editorialized on Sept. 30, 1919.

The editorial is enlightening in the era of Facebook live church, and a reminder that a church social media strategy must involve electronic interacting with the tech savvy, not just preaching of the gospel.

Facing a critical shortage of clergy in 1919, a“dignified denomination, famous for the learning of its clergy,” was contemplating supplying “unsheperded” congregations with phonograph records of sermons.

“One can contemplate a congregation hearing a phonograph sermon with some amusement at the oddity, but with at least a comforting sense that a sermon good enough for a record must be a good sermon,” the editorial writer mused. “But when we remember that a large part of the social and community life of our people is in church relations, and that in church relations the pastor is the central figure, we can see that a permanent dearth of preachers means a great social change in America.”

The Post-Star blamed the early 20th century pastoral shortage on low salaries of pastors.

“The way into this difficulty was a broad way that naturally led to destruction. Churches required more of pastors than is required of any other profession — and yet they were the least paid of the old ‘learned professions,’” the editorial stated.

“Doubtless if a reform were instituted throughout the congregations of the land by which a real livelihood were assured to pastors, we would see thousands of clerks and lawyers and teachers gladly dropping their present livings to re-enter the church work they loved. The way out of the difficulty is the way in. Otherwise a church which pays a phonographic record price must get a phonograph record sermon, the syndicated words of Parson Jones without his handshake at the door, or his blessing of marriage, or his consolation in the time of affliction.”

In other words, to mix in a 1980s technology metaphor, you may not be able to distinguish from the sound quality whether it is live or Memorex, but you can distinguish from the spiritual growth of parishioners.

I would suggest that just as lay home visitation committees of the 1950s and ’60s resulted in church growth, contemporary pastors are wise to recruit and train social networking interaction committees.

Social networking has proven to be more than a mere passing fad or a vehicle for political argument.

By spending regularly dedicated time connecting via social networking, pastors and lay committees can learn the prayer needs and life events of church members.

Getting a like from your pastor is the digital equivalent of the handshake at the door.