Do NOT Use Visual Media…

...IF your reasons include the following (in the context of worship):

• as a substitute for other methods (think about all the senses)

• solely for entertainment (understand that entertainment is not bad itself and CAN be used as a tool when the timing/context is right)

• visual media is not a crowd-getter or a cure-all

• visual media is not a substitute for preparation

• visual media is not for the personal satisfaction of the visual enthusiast

• to keep the “young people” interested in worship.

• “it’s time to boost our congregational singing.”

• to change with the culture b/c we might lose church members to another church.

• we have to create more powerful worship experiences (visual media won’t create it)

• we want outsiders/visitors to know that we are a first-rate/”cutting edge” church (keeping up with the Joneses)

• without using the latest technology, we won’t be able to increase the size of our congregation.

• presentational technologies will allow us to grow and expand. (only the church can do CHURCH. Technology will not secure that a congregation will act as/be the Church.)

References:

“Using Visual Aids in a Church” by Earl Waldrup (published 1949) – Amazon.com

BuildingChurchLeaders.com – “building visual media into your ministry”

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At many conferences this year, we (Nate, Camron and I) are teaching on Visual Worship. You can download our notes, located in the “live sessions” featured section.

We will constantly be updating and editing our notes, so check back from time to time for the revised versions.