I’ve lately encountered a disturbing trend on a number of blogs regarding the use of a projection screen in worship (particularly for sermons).  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by this, given the “on/off” reactionary mentality of Protestantism, but at the same time it’s disconcerting.  What I’m seeing is the mocking of using a presentation during worship – what are gaffawed at as, “Power Point Sermons.”

The assumption is that “Power Point Sermons” are dumbed down, shallow, and are somehow anti-Gospel.  Real preachers don’t make use of gimmicks like a projection screen.  I have yet to see a backlash from “hip” preachers who think that the projection screen is all that an a bag of chips – so I’m hoping that maybe I can head an incredibly dumb war off at the pass.

I obviously have an interest in using a projection screen during worship and while I preach –  I’m heading out to Seattle later this month to present on just that.  Yet, I also try to be extremely clear that the use of the projection screen is not “what God is doing today” or “the next big thing.”  Why do I say this?  Because, like my kin who scoff at “Power Point Sermons,” I can’t stand gimmicks.  Are digital sermons necessary?  Absolutely not.

What is necessary, however, is an admission that our culture processes information visually – and an attempt at contextualizing the Gospel for this visual information age.  Liturgical Churches, for example, already have visual actions which are meant to help people process the story of the Gospel.  Kneeling, bowing, raising the elements, and the procession are all visuals that are present in the service.  These can be, and have been, leveraged to help people process the message of the Gospel as they worship.  Granted, they can also be empty actions undertaken by peopel who no understanding – but that isn’t any different than any Church.  The point is, the tools are there in their worship to communicate with a visually stimulated populace.  What’s more, these liturgical churches are using the Communications revolution to help give people the context for these actions.

Why do I use a projection screen, then, if it’s not “necessary?”  For several reasons:

• I pastor in a low-church setting where visuals aren’t utilized to communicate the Story.  Our sanctuary, for example, has some of the most beautiful stained-glass I’ve ever seen – yet most people haven’t spent any time examining the rich theology which surrounds them as they worship.  I once preached a series working through the stained-glass, it was not met with great reception.
• Being a low-church tradition, we are traditionally against traditions like a prescribed liturgy.  Adding elements such as kneeling, bowing, and a procession/recession, are things that people actively resist.  I have raised the elements of communion on occasion – but even that is pushing it.
• I’m a geek, these are the skills I have and God apparently wants me to use them in worship (I actually resisted using the screen for preaching until one of our leaders said that the Church needed to be consistent with our stated values and put the screen in).

Would I use a digital screen in a liturgical setting?  Perhaps, if I could do so to draw people into the liturgy even more, rather than add it as a distraction.  In that setting I’d put the readings and litanies on the screen, but perhaps alter how I’d use it for a homily (if at all). What I do know is that in a non-liturgical setting its the way I use my gifts to add back in a visual element to our worship.

So, to those who scoff at “power point sermons,” I agree that gimmicks are blights on the life of the Church.  Some folks, however, are actually working from actual theological reflection.

To those who use the screen and are offended by people scoffing at your actions, these folks are not your enemies – accept their critique, counter with a positive reflection of your practice, and let’s figure out a way to keep the Gospel in the foreground, ok?

To all you folks who are looking for the next big thing – just stop, OK.  It’s not helping anyone.