SermonView Newsletter January 2008

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VISUAL PREACHING

Myth Busters: The Truth about Church Communication #12

Myth #12: Using PowerPoint slides for teaching the Word is a crutch that makes preaching less effective.

The Truth: Effective communication combines the best of the old and the new.

The Facts: In the fast-changing world of the 21st century people have grown accustomed to relying on technology and visuals to be major factors in their communication with one another. Many ministry leaders and pastors struggle to find a harmonious balance between today’s appealing communication styles and a grounded approach to preaching based on years of experience and biblical example. There is more than one website with open discussions on whether using certain forms of technology during your service is congruent with biblical principles. As a church we need to determine when and where visual technology has a place in the teaching process so that we can better reach the people of today’s culture with Christ’s timeless message.

The Solution: As preachers, our purpose is to create an environment where people encounter God. As He leads us, we should be willing to use whatever tools He chooses to work through us toward that end. Paul focuses on this purpose in Romans 10:14: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” We agree with many pastors and teachers who point to the strength of the spoken word in this passage. But more than that, Paul is talking about a hunger to bring the Message to people in a clear and concise way, pointing them to a living God. Preach orally, yes, but don’t avoid visual tools that can clarify the message and increase your effectiveness as a preacher.

Here are some tips for balancing visual communication with the spoken word during your services:
  1. Use visuals to set the stage for your sermon. By using backdrops, staging, banners, and other visual materials, you can create an environment that will increase the effectiveness of the message. Don’t let the visuals do the talking, but use these tools to prepare your congregation for the sermon.
  2. Interact with your visuals. Whether you’re creating an object lesson on the stage or using different images to point to contrasting ideas, you can sometimes use visuals more powerfully by acknowledging them as part of the teaching process.
  3. Use a blank slate to tell a story. Nothing sets the stage for a powerful sermon better than removing the extras. If you never have visuals or props then simplifying for effect can be hard. Break up your service styles by accentuating a message with nothing. By occasionally stripping the stage bare and turning off the projector, you offer your congregation an opportunity to focus on the simple message.

Do you have a tip or suggestion for effective church communication? Tell us how you are using visuals—or not using them—at your church. Email us at info@sermonview.com.

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