Why Use Simple-Colored Backgrounds?

— Why use simple colored generic loops (ex Digital Juice Jumpbacks) to lead visual worship? It doesn’t “mean” anything, so why? —

this seems to be the train of thought amongst a few of us in this “visual worship conversation”. However, could simple loops with nothing but textures, colors and particles ever have a home in our churches? Does your visual media ALWAYS have to have a clear meaning & message? Does the visual impact always have to be an obvious revelation of theological truth?

I have the privilege of attending the Dirt Conference this week, and i’ve been meeting some of the coolest people who are also asking the question “why?” & pressing in to find out how to be better visual worship leaders. One of them is Katie Strandlund. Check out this blog post she wrote today, where she breaks down our conversation about the proper place of “simple colored loops”.

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I have been living in the world of visual worship for six years now. God has taught me a thing or two along the way. I’ve used a variety of tools, changed my “best practices” countless times, and my philosophy probably as many. But through all of that I had one question I couldn’t get a good answer for: why use simple colored backgrounds, backgrounds that are visually less saturated?

I mean, I have visited several churches and by far the majority of them use colors 90% of the time. Sure, they look neat and can be all flashy, but for me they do very little to enhance worship. Not only do churches use them but video companies have produced them in mass and continue to do so. I couldn’t help but think there was something magical abut these backgrounds that I was missing.

Well today, I had a brief conversation with Stephen Proctor and the lightbulb came on. His answer to that question made complete sense and made me think “aha, I get it!” In short, his answer was not only can we use colors to create certain moods, but perhaps more importantly we can use less visually saturated backgrounds to great an ebb an flow that is necessary in visual worship. You see we need highs and lows in order to have either. You can’t get to the mountaintop unless you start from the bottom. And the mountaintop isn’t nearly as sweet if you stay there all of the time. In visual worship terms: you use visual simplicity to create space where you prepare people for something more. But if it’s more all of the time it becomes too much. The opposite is also true however. If it’s all colors all of the time you are missing out on the essence and power of visual worship.

Seems so simple, doesn’t it? But then, I guess most “lightbulb moments” do. What was the last “lightbulb moment” you had?

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Check out Katie’s blog here.

Thanks, Katie, for asking me a question that no one’s ever asked me before…our conversation led me to a deeper understanding of the impact visual media can have during worship, even in the abstaining of “high impact” visual moments. wow.