Leading with Light:

Making an image more abstract can increase its emotional impact, but sometimes leading with light calls for specific and concrete images. In those worship moments when the congregation should be recalling specific people or places, a photograph makes perfect sense. Photos work well when you intend to be specific and concrete.

A great example is remembering specific people in a congregational prayer. When praying for those absent, such as a particular missionary, a student away at college, a soldier in deployment, or a shut-in at home, a photo of the person might help God’s People remember them in a specific way. Similarly, when praying for leaders or politicians, showing a picture to remember by name and face might help to remember them as people in need of the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Another time photos work well is during the offering. Since the offering is a token of how we dedicate our whole lives and an opportunity to begin thinking about concrete ways we minister to God's world, we might focus on a particular ministry through photos and videos. A slide show that highlights a youth-group trip, or photos from a South American orphanage, or video from a mission agency like Back to God Ministries International, all help people understand what this particular ministry is all about and how we can be sent out to do ministry.

Yet another time I've used photos is in preaching--photos help root Biblical passages in their historical context. These are historical stories after all, rooted in real places and real people. So when talking about Jesus calming the storm, for example, I might show a topographical map of Isael, or a landscape around the Sea of Galilee, or a photo of a first-centruy fishing boat discovered through archeology. Those were real people in a real boat in a real storm, not a fable about a generic hero. A photo helps make that reality concrete.

The key for choosing between abstractions and photos is being clear on how concrete and specific the congregation's thoughts should be a any particular moment.

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.