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December 2004 Table of Contents
Drama
Call in the Visual Reinforcements
by Kim Messer
We're visual people. Just look around at your world today and it's easy to see how visual mediums are a big part of every day life. Despite the many visual forms we might want to have less of—billboards on both sides of our highways, reality TV, commercials, etc.—I'm encouraged by the way the church is exploring the use of visual mediums.
Many of you are using video screens in your sanctuaries to present lyrics to your worship songs. I'm sure some of you are using visual accompaniment with your choir anthems—songs that have a video or DVD track to play along as the choir sings the music. What a simple yet exciting use of visuals. Not only does this give a breath of fresh air to our choirs, it connects our congregations to the message of Christ in new ways.
Believe me; I've thought about whether that really small church say in, Wurtland, Kentucky (population 1400) could use this type of visual media. I can't really answer that question, but I do offer this. My 70-year-old plus grandmother who goes to one of those churches in that very town surprised me earlier this year. During the hubbub surrounding the film, The Passion of the Christ, she made a point to call me to tell me—30-something Kim—that "this is the visual age we are living in and that we as Christians need to use visual media to reach people in our congregations and beyond."
Now if my grandmother, who has seen very few films on the big screen in her lifetime, sees the value in using visuals at church, I have to take pause to think about the possibilities. For whatever reasons, visual messages can do amazing things. Visual learners aside, none of us can deny that what we see influences us. It may not seem like a reason to justify using video and DVD presentations in our churches, but I believe that for all those negative images people are facing every day the church can and should offer some very positive ones.
Now as a drama person, I've definitely also thought about how using visuals on a screen impacts what is happening on our sanctuary platforms. Any time an artistic medium is used during worship, great attention must be paid to how the medium will compliment and strengthen worship versus take attention away from worship.
As a proponent and trained person in the dramatic arts, I still believe in the simplicity of a well-done monologue with little or no props to communicate an important message. Think of your choirs and your pastor in this same vein. We would never think that putting all the choral or praise ensemble numbers and the sermon on a DVD and then pushing "play" at 10 am on a Sunday morning would be an acceptable way to engage people in worship. It's the same with visuals on our screens. Yes, we can provide visual support to songs and sermons. We can even film all of the dramatic scenes we want for worship or a special presentation, but this does not and should not replace what we do "live" with our congregations in worship.
Using visual media to fill in all the blanks can supersede the imaginative, worshipful response to God that worship teams work so hard each week to help their congregations come to (yes, you might want to read that again). In other words, as with all tools used in worship, be careful with the visuals you present on a screen. Don't let the screen replace the spirit of what happens that links live people on the platform with people in the pews.
Now that I've spoken from both sides of the coin, I have an exciting project to tell you about. No doubt that you are preparing plans for the Easter season for your congregation. For 40 days leading up to this high holiday, we reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus as we journey towards the celebration of His glorious resurrection. Many of you take part in presenting this incredible act of God's grace and salvation in your church each year. For that reason, it's truly an honor for me to announce the release of the newest dramatic Easter musical from Lillenas—The Cross.
Perhaps the greatest strength of The Cross is that it allows you to make it your own. You can stage it very simply with four actors and a choir, or you can add more involvement by staging the crucifixion and the resurrection celebration. Of course we've included a DVD accompaniment option to reinforce the message visually using your own orchestra or just the track.
Exploring the life-changing power of the cross, the musical introduces us to Dave, Simon, Rebecca, and Marcus as each character recounts how Jesus' death and resurrection changed their lives forever. Musically, you'll find that the short scenes are complimented by classic songs and new favorites. The Cross also invites congregational response through prayer and song by allowing time for a new or a renewed commitment to Christ and opportunity to celebrate what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.
I know what a challenge it can be to find the right Easter musical for your choir. It is my hope that The Cross will be a timely reminder to your church and community that Jesus has paid the price for all of us with His great love.
Lillenas has a long and rich heritage of resourcing the church choir, and we are proud to offer you visual media as well. Look for DVDs for musicals such as The Cross and for single anthems such as Mike Speck's I Am God with Fear Not My Child.
If you are already using these tools in your church, I know you will want to look at these and the other resources we have coming to you. If you are still wondering if this type of visual media has a place in your church, I encourage you to review a few tracks or to use one in a service and get some feedback. Who knows, you may be surprised at what the young and experienced voices tell you. If you still need back-up, I have the number for a wonderful lady in Wurtland, Kentucky who really believes in the power of visuals.
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