Leading with Light: Four Ways to Use a Slide: Thematic Metaphor

Many churches that began with simple text and graphic backgrounds have begun thinking about the worship service as a whole. They're asking, 'How can we visually support the point of the whole service?' Thematic metphor images do just that. Thematic metaphor graphics capture the theme of a given worship service and expresses it visually, often in a contemporary way. You might think of them as editorial cartoons for worship.

The themes for worship might come from a variety of sources. Maybe it's just the theme of today's sermon. Maybe it comes from a particular Scripture passage. Maybe it's keyed to the liturgical year or holiday, like Christmas or Easter. In any case, the goal of the screen is to reinforce today's theme succinctly and powerfully.

Another example shows the first plane at Kitty Hawk turnings into a Jumbo Jetliner. The theme cites Ephesians 3:20 and says "you have no idea." "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." Just as the Wright brothers had no idea that their bicycle shop experiments would revolutionize world travel within 50 years, so you have no idea what God can do with you.

A contemporary service that focused on discipleship, for example, tied the theme of "Learning to Follow" to an image of Anakin Skywalker. If you know anything about the Star Wars movies, you would recognize Anakin as the innocent boy who rebels to become the evil Darth Vader. Anakin is a prime example of a failed disciple. His story is a metaphor for the human condition before God, and we as worshipers have to ask ourselves how we follow as failed disciples.

These examples attempt to encapsulate the theme in a single image that guides the whole service. They become the anchor graphic that determines the backgrounds, palette, and other visual elements for the whole service.

More importantly, thematic metaphor images move beyond simple illustrations of songs and sermons. They attempt to address the purpose that underlies and unites an entire worship service. They reach deeper into worship than illustration, seeking to express the very point of why we have gathered in God's name today.

However, it's still just one static image. With just the singular metaphor slide, it could just as well be a fabric banner hanging on the wall. Though they may serve as anchor images, they don't change much throughout the service. They functions somewhat like a single-panel editorial cartoon, making a single point in a statice image. Single-image metaphors do not make use of the dynamism and variety inherent to a computer-controlled screen nor the drama built-in to worship.

In short, Thematic metaphor is a welcome complement to simple text and illustrations, especially as a unifying guide both aesthetically and thematically. It does help lead the congregation in considering worship as a whole by crystallizing the service into a single teaching point, but it doesn't necessarily tap the full potential of the technology or if what worship is all about.

Images appear courtesy of Centrepointe CRC and Ginghamsburg Church.

Stance

The “Stance” sequence shows how a single visual element changes as the worship service unfolds. The mannequin, representing our posture before God, changes positions as the congregation’s liturgical task changes. This sequence also intentionally leaves space for text, but can also serve as a plain banner. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Kids' Mosaics

The “Kids’ Mosaics” sequence is an example of found art. Children in the congregation had earlier created paintings and paper mosaics during Lent. Several of these were selected and organized to follow the liturgical pattern. They were photographed under even light and cropped. This sequence of photographs became a congregational favorite. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Globe & Cross

The “Globe and Cross” Liturgical Sequence is good example of a composite image that builds as the service progresses. Beginning with a nearly blank screen, elements are added to the image at each stage until reaching a final, full image. The images are either darkened or lightened when used as a background, allowing the overlay of white or black text.

Renewed on the Journey

This Liturgical Sequence was developed for the opening worship of a regional worship conference. The theme was "As people of faith on a journey, we come to be renewed in God's strength." The first four images were the basic backgrounds used. They were designed to follow the major movements of the service. The rest of the images show how the backgrounds were used with text overlaid. Note that the text varies in position and color, depending on whether the words were God's words to the congregation, or the congregation's words in response to God.

Kids' Paintings

The “Kids’ Paintings” sequence is an example of found art. Children in the congregation had earlier created paintings and paper mosaics during Lent. Several of these were selected and organized to follow the liturgical pattern. They were photographed under even light and cropped. These sequences of photographs became a congregational favorite. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.