See Also

Archive

About the Author

INTRODUCTION: As the prices of video projectors go down, more and more churches are using the “big screen.” This month we will explore why many churches are doing so. In the section for advanced users, “Digging Deeper”, we will explore some of the traps to avoid in using these systems. Our Image Of The Month is a free map of New Testament Israel and the Link Of The Month is the Technologies For Worship discussion board.

    The favorite parts of Heartlight for many people are the Heart Gallery images and Dynimations pages. At first, most use of the images was simply by individuals who were enamored by the graphic depiction of the Bible verses. Lately, more and more churches have started using the images in Bible teaching and worship. This has become possible through the use of large screen video projection systems. Previously, such systems were far too costly for any but the largest of churches, but as prices have dropped smaller and smaller churches have started using them.

    The rapid adoption of this technology is simply a mirror of the times. Our culture is increasingly graphic and image oriented. Countless hours are spent in front of the TV and computer screen. The Internet would not have near the impact on society were it simply text based instead of one that is increasingly multimedia. Popular access to images like those on the Heartlight site was impossible in the past. What images were available were almost certainly not free.

    The use of large screen projection systems, however, is not just about displaying pictures. The bulk of what most churches use large screens for is to display a text being studied or a song being sung. In these cases, the screens simply serve as a medium to improve the way that the message is delivered to the people.

    There are a lot of reasons that many churches have started using the big screen. Studies show that the use of visuals improve both learning comprehension and retention. Graphically presented lessons are generally considered more persuasive and can carry an emotional impact that words alone may not be able. Most studies indicate that the communication improvements are dramatic.

    In a modern worship service or Sunday school, members are often reading from different versions. When their version is not the same as the leader’s there can be a lot of confusion. This problem can be especially difficult for the unchurched or new Christians. Projecting the text on a large screen helps everyone follow along. Many churches don’t only put scriptures on the big screen, they often develop their own custom made electronic slides listing discussion questions, main lesson points and quotes. These visuals help keep the lesson focused. When it comes time for announcements, the same software allows churches to put detailed information on the screen that wouldn’t be covered in verbal announcements alone. Unlike preprinted announcement sheets, the message can be changed at the last moment. With video projectors, churches can show full color photos and even video clips. A short clip from last year’s mission trip, youth activity or other special activity can convey the message and build interest in this year’s event that just can’t be done with a simple verbal plea. Such media can be used to report the activities of the youth or other special groups to show the whole church what is happening in the congregation. Missionaries can easily be “out of sight, out of mind.” Pictures and reports from the mission field can help keep the member’s interest high for these important works.

    In the past, ministers and teachers used their Bible study software in private as they prepared to teach. Large screen displays allow them to bring a wide range of Bible resource material directly to the class. A direct quote from a Bible dictionary or other resource displayed on the big screen carries a more convincing impact than a simple verbal quote from the teacher. A teacher skilled in the use of their Bible software can bring all of its advantages to the classroom for everyone to see. They can do Bible searches, display definitions or even show maps or other images to the class “on the fly.” This can be particularly useful when fielding questions from the class.

    As more churches adopt large screen technology, innovation abounds. Churches with multilingual audiences show text in more than one language at a time. Modern software packages allow users to do things never before possible. Teachers can even display 3D simulations of the ancient Bible Temple or show “photobubble” images of important Bible places that allow the users to control 360 degree tours.

    Displaying the text of songs on the big screen generally improves worship. The use of songbooks usually results in many people burying their faces in the book rather than singing to one another. Just getting people to look up to a displayed image improves the physical quality of their singing. Several worship software packages are now available that are designed specifically for the song service. Many come in versions with hundreds or even thousands of song texts preloaded and provide churches with easy ways to meet their copyright fee obligations. There are other advantages as well.

    Although projecting text only images still remains the prevalent use of large screen projection systems, the projection of photos and graphics is getting more and more use. Heartlight scripture images and Dynimations are being used to convey the message of the Word in new ways. Graphics have the ability to convey emotion and context that can help teachers and other presenters get members to see the text in a new light. Used wisely, large screen systems can offer several advantages to the modern church.

As large screen projectors get increased use in the Sunday School and worship service teachers and leaders are able to do things that were previously either difficult or impossible to do. Many of the things that technology provides for us result in improvements. We should be careful to realize however, that new problems are presented to us as well.

MULTIMEDIA TRAPS TO AVOID

• EYE CANDY TRAP: Every image used should have a reason to be presented. Don’t just fill the big screen and peoples minds with useless “eye candy.” Doing so just lessens the impact of the important messages that you will want to convey later. Although we want our classes should be heartfelt and enjoyable, avoid getting trapped in simply entertaining the viewers. Some lessons are better done without video projection. At other times, it is better to just turn the projector off and encourage the people to interact with one another. When it is time for people to visit with each other in fellowship and discussion, you certainly don’t want to distract them with a fancy 10 foot screen saver — even if it has a religious theme.

• MULTIPLIED LIES TRAP: If a picture is worth a thousand words then is a deceitful picture worth a thousand lies? Just as we shouldn”t deceive with our words or actions so should we be careful about what we say with pictures. We should also be sensitive about how we present our message graphically and not use images to improperly bias our audience. Images can carry emotional messages that do not fit the context of our spoken message and we should make sure that the image fits the information being presented.

• TECHNOLOGY DEPENDENCE TRAP: Always have a back up plan. Equipment and software have a bad habit of failing at the worst time. Don’t become so dependent on your equipment that you have to cancel because of “technical difficulties.”

• MONEY TRAP: Although prices are dropping, multimedia equipment can still be very expensive. Be good stewards of your resources. It may not be time for you to spend money on media.

• TIME TRAP: Using technology can be addictive. Don’t let technology rob ministers and other important church leaders of their time with people. Instead, use your multimedia ministry as a way to get new people involved in your church activities. You may be surprised at who you can get interested in helping with a new multimedia ministry.

• CLOSED BIBLE TRAP: Projecting every scripture used in a Sunday School class or worship service can result in people becoming dependent on the projection system. Sometimes, it’s better to simply list the reference on the screen and ask people to turn to it in their Bibles. Think of creative ways to encourage people to open up and use their Bibles so that you don’t let your congregation fall into the “closed Bible trap.” Utilize the technology to encourage people to use their Bibles more — not less!

    All in all, video projection systems can be a great asset to the worship and teaching programs of the church. When adopting new technology, it is important to realize when it is appropriate to use your equipment and when to turn it off. Just because we can do something doesn”t always mean that we should.

FREE IMAGE OF THE MONTH: israel1.jpg (39KB) -- This is a thumbnail image of the Israel in the New Testament as described in the Bible. The background image is courtesy of NASA. Click on the image to view and copy the full sized 39 KB version. For more free images, visit www.ebibleteacher.com

LINK OF THE MONTH: Technologies For Worship Discussions -- A great discussion site for you to get answers to questions about church audio, video and projection systems. This is part of the web site of “Technologies For Worship Magazine.”

© 2000, Terry Taylor <ttaylor@ebibleteacher.com>. Used by permission.