Pretty and memorable picture, but what was the message?

In "The more you know, the more you see", Lester comments about the importance of being able to connect using images, however images need to be more than merely making services more interesting or entertaining. It is easy today with modern technology to go to Google images, download an image and project it using PowerPoint to enhance a presentation.

"More often than not, images that are remembered are the ones that combine
aesthetically pleasing design elements with content that matters. However, works
that combine both beauty and meaning are enormously difficult to produce."

Paul Martin Lester, Visual Communication: Images with Messages

Today we have so little time in comparison to other influences to make an impact on our congregation and we feel the need to compete with Hollywood and their massive budgets in communicating our message. We must always remember that we are there to proclaim the gospel and that message shouldn't be confused or subverted by a pretty picture, images need to support the theme not merely exist as part of presentation that shows the preacher can use PowerPoint.

It is a skill to use images well, last week I observed my pastor within 30 seconds searching, selecting, and presenting an image to support the theme of the message, this approach misses the opportunity to connect fully the message and the imagery so as to create synergy where by the sum of the parts (spoken word, and visual imagery) work together to create a message that is more memorable, and transformative than the constituent parts would on there own.

Evangalism and Images

Jesus is the master of Parable. His use of images in presenting stories to many people allowed people at many differing levels of faith understanding to understand a message based on their knowledge. His use of pastoral and religious images allowed people to connect with and understand the the kingdom of God; a concept that is quite alien and unobtainable to most people. In using evangelism today our first need is to understand what people understand of their picture of God and what images from daily life may give a picture of the kingdom of God. We need to understand the culture we live in. In Jesus' time the culture was rather more simplistic than today and people on the whole had a great understanding of the spiritual realm. Today, however in the western world there are many people who have no understanding of or deny any existence of things spiritual. Our greatest area we have access to is that of motion pictures, television and books. Movies such as "The Matrix", "Narnia", and "Lord of the Rings Trilogy" allow the conveyance of biblical and spiritual truths. Books although controversial such as the "Divinci code" allow conversations 'around the water cooler' that would not be possible.
On reflection the use of the current culture has its risks as this quote by Francis Shaeffer comments "looking for meanings in secular books, films and the arts is not the same as endorsing them as wholesome material for all Christians to read or watch. The purpose is not review for Christians, but holding up a mirror for non-Christians to find an element of truth in the books and films they already consume. Someone called by God to be such an interpreter may need to analyse material which includes content that is not particularly uplifting."

Personal Stories

Personal stories allow the congregation to connect with the preacher. They allow the congregation to see the preacher as a human being; that despite their place of privilege they are no more perfect than they are. If the congregation are able to see the vulnerabilities, the struggles and the celebrations of a preachers life, they are able to connect with the preacher on a deeper more personal level.

The Christian narrative is one of redemption and transformation; if as preachers we are unable to convey our experiences of being transformed by the love of God we miss a vital opportunity to present a living faith in action. A big part of discipling people is modeling the right ways of handling life.

There however are caveats to the sharing of personal stories. The sermon is there to lead, inspire, educate, give vision to, provide hope for the congregation not as an outlet for the preacher to seek sympathy or help with there troubles. It is important that the congregation are left with the feeling that they are able to approach the minister with their concerns and not feel burdened by the need to support or comfort the preacher. In this case it is best to speak of stories that have happened in the past; not issues the preacher is currently working on. If the preacher has issues these are best dealt with through a professional supervision situation.