This Article is printed in the November 2009 edition of the Adventist Messenger.
Living in the technological age, we have to learn over and over how to use new technologies well. We can’t get away from it, or hide from it, or avoid it in any way.
And with all these technologies today, we have become a society dominated by the visual. The search is for more portable and better visual, whether it’s computers, internet, televisions, iphones, ipods, portable dvd players, GPS devices, just to mention a few.
We love to use our eyes—we love to see for ourselves—and we live by the familiar saying that “seeing is believing.”
Presentation Software
A very effective tool that many churches are using to incorporate the visual element into worship is by the use of presentation software such as; Microsoft Powerpoint, Keynote for Mac, MediaShout, and many others.
Creating interesting slides for songs, sermon notes, and even announcements can add visual interest to any worship experience.
And so today, considering our visual society, we are faced with an age old question, “How does a church incorporate technology, specifically visual, into the worship service without distracting from the sacredness of worship?”
I am aware that there are many different ideas and opinions to this question, however I am going to share seven main guidelines to enhance the overall visual presentation and help to eliminate distraction from the sacredness of worship.
Guideline #1: Use compelling material
Make sure that every image, video or word you use is going to enhance the presentation and its impact on the worship experience. The audience is not interested in looking at images just tossed onto a screen.
Guideline #2: Be careful about the design
The use of fonts; type, size and color combinations are very important. Make sure to stay away from using fancy fonts because they tend to be hard to read from the screen. Also, be very careful with the size of font you use to make sure it is easy to read from the back. Use colors that are neutral and easy on the eyes. And whenever possible, always check your presentation on the display device first.
Guideline #3: Avoid the use of too much animation.
Using too much visual animation such as transitions between points, headings and slides is very distracting to the audience. Use visual animation sparingly and with good judgment. Also, if you do decide to use visual animation, be careful to time the action with your words so that the visual effect does not slow down what you are saying or jump a head of your point.
Guideline #4: Keep it simple
The most effective presentations are simple and easy to follow. One way of making your presentations look neat and not too busy is by using keywords and statements instead of sentences. Some experts suggest using no more then five words per line and six lines per slide. You don’t need to have everything on the screen.
Guideline #5: Don’t parrot
One of the most common and distracting mistakes people make when using presentation software is to read every word of the presentation to the audience. This causes the presentation to become boring and redundant. The presenter should use remarks that expand and discuss the visual rather than mimic every word that’s on the screen.
Guideline #6: Edit and spell check before presenting
Nothing is more distracting then seeing spelling and grammar mistakes on the screen. Make sure you take time to read through your presentation for mistakes that spell checking software cannot pick up such as words like, “there” when it should be “their”. And, when using slides for songs, make sure the words and verses you sing correspond with what is on the screen.
Guideline #7: Timing is Everything
This is extremely important! Make sure that the timing of the presentation matches where the congregation is reading, singing or reflecting. When singing from the screen, switch to the next slide while the congregation is singing the last line of the current slide so the next words are ready.
There they are, seven main guidelines that will greatly enhance a visual presentation and help to eliminate distraction from the sacredness of worship.
And of course, we must always stop and examine any technology that is incorporated into the church worship service to make sure it is not hindering but leading people to Jesus.
