I can’t remember the first SNL sketch I ever watched. As a Brit, I probably saw a few and just assumed they were from one of those American programs. However, when I watched their recently parody of Zoom church, I couldn’t help but relate to some of our own churches teething pains during the COVID lockdown.
Have a watch and see if you can relate to their experience.
Zoom Church from SNL
- no one mutes their mic
- everyone’s a little confused
- TV on in the background
- shouting
- trying to talk and not realising your muted?
Yup, it’s all happened to us.
While it’s a fun video it does point to some of the issues with Zoom and other video calling technology: If everyone speaks equally loud, then you can hear no one. And if you can’t hear anyone, it suddenly feels very alone.
Turn taking and volume levels on video calls
In a normal church service, we can still have issues of people continually talking; Paul specifically address it in 1 Corinthians. But it’s far more difficult to effectively take turns, or have group participation on a call like this.
I’m sure we’ve all had those moments where two people start talking. Then both stop. Silence. They both start again. And then eventually we work out who will speak.
A better solution in the future?
Maybe one of the many video companies will develop a “church mode” with more regulated sound levels, or perhaps VR small groups will come along and help combat these issues by enabling us to see the body language of our church members.
But until then, we’ll have to make do with what we have and the issues that come along with it.
Amen?!
image: SNL YouTube video
Chris Wilson
I'm a Copywriter and content marketer based in Krakow, Poland. I enjoy sketchnoting in my free time and have some free sketchnote courses if you want to start.
Speak your mind...