I've been a part of multiple church services where those in leadership have assured everyone that they will watch the "big game/event" straight after the service. The classic example is the rugby league on a Sunday night, be it the Sate of Origin or Grand Final.
Should churches do this?
Pragmatically, this may counteract a drop in attendance by those who would otherwise skip church for the event.
But, I'm not so sure about the message it sends and the potential implications.
Are you really prepared to stop whatever is going on after the service because the event is about to be telecast?
Even worse, would you be prepared to cut the church service short due to the broadcast?
Would this be stifling the Spirit?
How might you explain this to the preacher or leader?
How would you transfer the worship space, if this is where the event is to be shown, into "footy" mode?
Would you just run the risk that the Holy Spirit knows when kick-off is?
Ideally, you'd have a mechanism which means that you could watch the event on delay after the service, but sometimes this isn't a possibility.
The easiest answer, if pushed for one, is to assure people that you'll watch the game, if people want, after the service - whenever that may be - and, as a community you can watch it together. But, I'd be hesitant to guarantee people that it will be live.
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