Using Visual Aids in a Church

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Comment by Dan Bracken on May 18, 2009 at 5:23pm

Lowering defenses is something I take pride in... There's always been an entertainment element to my mission minute videos. But I wonder if that's more the power of humor and personality than it is visual stimulus. Marshal McLuan (no idea how to spell his name) is someone I studied a lot in college (indicative, obviously, by not knowing how to spell the man's name). He says we have to be careful that the medium does not become the message. In other words... if the message is humor, what difference is it if it's in a book, a video, a drama, or a speach? The art comes behind mastering each medium, and what perspectives of the message it portrays.

The power of story is marvelously important when using media. That's why we like movies so much. The epic story of God is in each of us... which intimidates me every time I'm assigned to put a video-testimony together. But you're absolutely right... stories are meant to have visuals (even if described just in words).

Inspiring action: I think of the invisible children videos. Or the Call and Response movie against the slave trade. Or the Not For Sale stuff. Even the Sudan videos here at Ging. THIS, I think is the power of media. Bringing people to places they can't be. That's what's so attractive about the news sometimes... of which we are in direct competition, are we not? If the news shines light into the world's problems, the church is there to show the light. God is working, and a video has a special way of bringing people in to that understanding.

CREATION... I love creation. But what is more powerful: a mountain, or a painting of a mountain? Maybe they're both equally unique. But interestingly enough, if you want to encounter God through creation, all you have to do is step outside. Maybe that's part of "pushing them into the world". Tease them, then say, "There's more where that came from!! Get out there!"... I don't know. Yet, I think this is where the cycle of creation starts its loop: going outside can be the very thing that inspires us creators to go create some more. There really is something beautiful about having that same power to create.

Big question... is media really a NEED for the next generation? Does visual over-stimulization lend itself to the spread of architectural projection... or to the lost concept of simplification?

Comment by stephen proctor on May 18, 2009 at 2:02pm

i love this. and i agree. i posted some "thoughts" on Camron Ware's blog (visualworshiper.com) on his post "Not of this World" that go along with this.

Josh, i would add
+ inspire worship by presenting visual revelation - an image of creation, galaxies, aka evidence of the greatness of God and Who He is, as well as His name....Who is, what He's done and what He has yet to do... all of this, when represented or at least supported by creative imagery during our worship gatherings can help reveal Truth and inspire people to focus on Him, be in awe of Him, and ultimately worship Him.
after all, the best definition of worship i've heard is that it's our RESPONSE to a revelation from God.
He has revealed Himself in the world around us....in creation, in the skies, in people's hearts and stories.... i think visual media is so powerful for us b/c we live in a culture where we've isolated ourselves from those revelations. We go from bed, to shower, to our family (or not, if we're single and living away from family), to car, to work, to lunch, back to work, to gym (maybe???), to dinner, to TV (or ???) back to bed, with a little twitter sprinkled in here and there.
We rarely see the beauty of His creation, and we rarely engage in the story of people's lives around us ESPECIALLY not in those who live in other countries.
Our video screens in worship have become windows to the world around us....and if the imagery is done properly and tastefully and creatively, it can show us a true glimpse into the world around us and inspire us to worship that much more.
but again, our worship shouldn't be the viewing of images and singing of songs, but our RESPONSE to it all....and what we do with our lives the other 6 days of the week.
which goes back to "getting the church out into the world" which i totally agree with.

Comment by Josh Linman on May 18, 2009 at 12:53pm

I hear that Ginghamsburg DNA in your response dude and I love it. "It's not about bringing people into the church, but getting the church out into the world." I know that's not Ginghamsburg specific (kind of a Jesus thing) but still...

So what are the purposes of media/creative elements?
+ Lower Defenses - make people feel comfortable and open them up to hear the hard message of Jesus (this is the place where I think media/creative elements as entertainment is ok)
+ Bring Stories to life - stories about life change, needs of the community, etc.
+ Inspire Action - Ignite a passion in people to GO and change the world.

What do you think?

Comment by Dan Bracken on May 18, 2009 at 9:05am

This starts a great discussion, guys.

I had a recent conversation with an up-and-coming youth pastor. It was interesting that we both noted a shift if contemporary worship for youth. It seems youth these days are so saturated with media and production that they don't even look up from their iphones. We thought maybe the next generation of adults will therefore crave authenticity... moments of silence, reflection, and contemplation (among other things, of course... these are not the only means of authenticity). So in referencing the basics of this "1949 Visual Worship" book, I do believe that visual aide in church is important, but it must have a purpose. It's not about bringing people into the church, but getting the church out into the world. How do we keep media missional and purposeful, especially when our ultimate goal is to mobilize our people into the world for Jesus? Jesus used plenty of visual aide, but he wasn't an entertainer (was he?).