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Humans are visual creatures.
Sure—we can read and hear all kinds of things that provoke a thought, elicit an emotion, etc. But what we SEE can leave a unique, indelible impact on our spiritual and personal formation.
And how we employ the “visual” in worship is vital to that ongoing formation.
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Visual Worship Over Time
OK—let’s establish a key principle: Worship, at its fundamental, comes through the reading, teaching, singing, praying, and preaching of the Word. Perception comes through hearing, along with visual sense of understanding letters formed into words that make up Scripture. It’s critical that we perceive words; this is how wisdom is imparted, along with faith and right belief.
But, God created us to perceive through sight, too—and I believe this is where, much like singing does with the Word, we can appreciate the truth of God even deeper. Not to say that hearing God’s truth on its own is insufficient, but we glean the deeper riches of experiencing God’s truth as it is communicated through various media.
Outside of idolatry, seeing a piece of art that points us to God’s truth is edifying in a way that employs a fuller sense of, well—SENSE! We recognize what is good, true, and beautiful in the aesthetic value of artworks, graphics, films, etc., and it’s been a part of holy worship for millennia:
Ornate designs, carvings, and decorations of the Tabernacle, priestly attire, and the Ark of the Covenant, complete with depictions of angels and other representations that pointed to the Divine Creator.
The continuation of grand design in the Temple.
The use of illustrations in ancient and medieval manuscripts, along with carvings, frescoes, sculptures, and stained glass installations, all depicting key scenes and figures from the Bible.
The development of photographs and film in the modern age allow for depiction of recreated biblical scenes, or any other kind of edifying presentation.
Some of these “visuals” served either a more direct form of worship, or were practical for teaching the church-at-large about the Bible when illiteracy was widespread. Nowadays, not much has changed; we still have utilitarian visuals (announcement videos, graphics, etc.), but others serve an edifying purpose (artwork, backgrounds for lyric slides, contemplative pieces for key moments within a service).
Let’s dig into some ideas that you can use for your church if you want to include another element that draws your deeper in your appreciation of God’s truth.
The Background Slide
I know—super boring, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be!
There are tons of great graphics out there that are loop all kinds of images—whether moving clouds, abstract geometric shapes… just anything that adds a bit of movement to the scene displayed at the front of the sanctuary.
For some, this type of component can be too distracting—which is also OK! It all depends on what your church values.
The Set Piece
Sanctuary/stage decor doesn’t HAVE to be potted plants, flags, and chairs. I’ve seen many churches that integrate movable walls, props, and other set pieces meant to either tie into a series theme, or freshen up the look of the space from one season to the next.
Depending on your church’s values, you can mix in some tangible, physical decor that amplifies what is being highlighted n your services. One of my favorite pieces in recent years was a cross installation that looked like it was bursting through the ceiling—it very dramatic for that church’s Good Friday service!
The LED Wall
This one is EXPENSIVE. But, if you’re able to pull it off, you can create an immersive visual experience that is much slicker than the typical overhead projector.
I’ll say it again, though: These things cost money. Plus, the maintenance can be a bit tricky, but the end result if truly impressive when used well.
The Bumper Video
Sometimes, the flow of the service can feel awkward, right? Just imagine the worship team ending a song, and then there’s a moment of silence as the speaker makes their way to the pulpit. Everyone is left WAITING—and the hesitancy and lack of surety is painfully palpable.
Try using a bumper video to smooth over the transition. These videos are usually on 30 seconds to a minute long, and they can introduce the topic being preached on that day, or read through that day’s Scripture—the options are pretty open-ended!
The Contemplative Pieces
I always appreciate moments in a service where I’m invited to sit quietly and reflect on what is being shown to me, rather than being preached to me.
One I church I attended years ago had looping slides of prayers displayed while the communion elements were being passed around. It was so helpful to read through prayers of faith, struggle, and searching before I took the bread and the wine, and I even have these prayers written down in personal journals.
Another variation of this is akin to the bumper video mentioned above, but instead, it’s more directly focused the act in which the whole congregation is sharing at that moment. So for communion again, you can display any number of short pieces, whether they are more narrative-driven, abstract, or anything in between.
Dialing It All In
The keys to a good visual element in a worship are:
Don’t overdo it. Complex, loud, and obtrusive visuals are more distracting than edifying. That doesn’t mean they can’t be grand—but use taste.
Keep it centered on the Word. I’m just gonna say it—I’m not a fan of “At the Movies” series. Why would I want a pop culture prop when I’m there for the Word of the Living God? C’mon.
Hold most things with an open hand. Much of the time, worship leaders and directors like us (myself included) want to repeat what works. However, it’s sometimes better to swap pieces in and out, and what worked last week may not work the next week. Discern, and again, use taste.
Be blessed 👊✌️
Derek is the founder and director of Worship Strategies and is also Creative Ministries Director Faith Family Church in Fayette, MO. Outside of ministry, he is active as a musician and entrepreneur. He is married to his wife Kaitlynn, and they have two beautiful daughters.
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