Seven Ways to Use Videos in Worship
By Kenny Lamm Do you use video screens in your sanctuary? Video media can be a powerful communicator for the church, but we must realize that media is not the message but a tool to support the worship message. It is essential that we seek ways to utilize media that enhances the message and does not distract. One has to be sensitive to the context of the local church to determine what is appropriate. As a church plans for its video media, it should consider what is on the screen from when people enter the worship space until they depart. Every moment needs to be well planned to enhance the worship experience.
Here are seven uses for video in the church In no particular order: 1. Announcements Spoken announcements can be a worship killer, especially if they fall in the middle of a service. Move most announcements to projected slides or videos as people enter the sanctuary. Also, strongly utilize your church bulletin, newsletter, and social media. Obviously, there are still times when spoken announcements need to be made. 2. Mission Videos This is a great way to highlight the missions that your church supports or provide informational support for upcoming outreach offerings. Many mission organizations offer high-quality free videos for your use. 3. Mini Movies Many sources of great short videos can be used to enhance the morning sermon or seasonal emphasis. There are several that make great calls to worship or meditations on scripture. Mini movies can be used as transitional elements in the flow of worship. Make your own if you have people with video creation talent in your church. 4. Testimony Videos Help the church celebrate what God is doing in the members' lives. Sometimes, handing a person a microphone on Sunday morning to speak can produce unwanted consequences, but filming the testimony and doing some editing can create a powerful, succinct testimonial video that can be shown in worship. 5. Lyric Display Posting the words to hymns and responses is probably the first place a church entering the video world goes. Be careful not to make the mistake of many churches and only show the "contemporary" songs on screen and then, sing the older songs from the hymnal. You may inadvertently create a division in your congregation by making the chasm even wider between differing styles of music. Show ALL lyrics on screen or none at all. You may still give hymn numbers so that people may choose to use the book or the screen. 6. Sermon Support Many pastors who use projected media think only of producing a PowerPoint presentation with an outline of the sermon, complete with flying bullet points. While this may be helpful to some in following the message, think of ways to utilize images that capture the imagination to help drive home a point. "A picture is worth a thousand words" can be applied here. Mini movies and movie clips can also be compelling. If you use movie clips, you do need to be aware of copyright issues and have the proper license. 7. Images At various times in the worship experience, consider using images to help guide the worshipper. If you have people with artistic skills in your church, they can create pictures for projection on a screen or use them as other visuals in your sanctuary.
Our world, especially the younger people inhabiting it, lives by visual cues like emojis and gifs on their phones and computers. Enhancing your worship through visual means can make the services come alive and draw congregations closer to the Divine in ways that mere words cannot. Consider placing screens in your sanctuary if you do not have screens. If you already have them there, consider more creative ways of using them. You may find an increase in interest and attendance at your services. Here is a site that gives you many video resources to consider.
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Kenny Lamm is a worship ministry strategist who leads worship conferences around the US and abroad and serves frequently as a guest worship leader. Kenny received his bachelor's degree in music from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a Master's in church music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He has completed doctoral-level courses in worship to receive the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Worship Studies from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Kenny serves as an adjunct professor of worship at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
Worship, Music & Ministry is a publication of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, Inc. and is issued three times a year. The journal is distributed to members of UCCMA as a benefit of membership. All correspondence concerning membership in UCCMA, changes of address and other inquiries should be addressed to the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, P.O. Box 370631, West Hartford, CT 06137. Information about the United Church of Christ Musicians Association is available at www.uccma.org. Copyright © 2024 by the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, Inc. |
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