Using Visual Arts in the Worship Service

According to the marketing website wyzowl.com, 10% of people remember what they hear, 20% of people remember what they read, but 80% of people remember what they see. Our society is becoming one that understands and learns through the use of images. Our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text. Additionally, psychologist Albert Mehrabian stated that 93% of human communication is non-verbal. The slides, images, pictures and words the church uses convey messages and information in many ways, including the fonts and the colors used onscreen and used in the sanctuary itself.

Visual arts aid in times of devotion and prayer, and careful consideration must be made in the use of visual arts in the worship service. Are they being used in the correct manner, one that magnifies and reflect God, helping the congregation move closer to Him? Or are we letting our own creativity and a desire for personal recognition drive our choices and uses of visual arts?

In the modern world where technology is king, our culture is used to and demands the efficient and effective use of visual arts. Our television, our movies we watch, and the advertising world are driven by images and color. Three primary applications of visual arts in the church include using slides or bulletins, the changing of the stage design, and the use of lighting onstage.

Considering slides or bulletins, the importance of fonts are often overlooked. A font used in graphic text contains many components — height, width, boldness, slope and style — and all convey a message. Readability for all church members is paramount. Additionally, the order in which items are chosen, or the page layout, sends a message of importance or urgency. Even a simple use of capitalization reflects importance and significance.

On screen symbols can be used for statistics, including the use of charts, tree maps, bar charts and graphs. With the use of color, all of these aspects combine to send a message — one that must be carefully considered when creating graphic content of any kind. Colors used for the background of slides and images that are presented onscreen aid in communicating the message to the observer.

Visual arts used in stage design is an important part of the church calendar as well. Designs specifically created for Easter, Christmas, or special events are becoming a main point of discussion as churches prepare for distinctive looks and appearances. The use of a docent and a team of experienced volunteers can greatly aid the worship pastor in these exciting new areas of ministry.

A third element of visual arts is in the lighting of the stage area, or platform of the sanctuary. While never attempting to manipulate the congregation in any way, stage lighting can communicate non-verbally to the congregation and to people watching online, streaming live or on demand. During extended times of prayer or when the congregation comes to the altar, visual arts can be used in an effective manner. Both color and substance will affect the congregation, and these can be appropriately used along with music in these very personal times in worship.

In times of congregational singing, the colors used on stage and onscreen should reflect the attitude of the lyrics and song. Brighter colors such as reds and yellows will convey energy or action, while colors such as blue and purple will send a message of calmness and peace. Backlight and side light used in combination can be effective if available, but it is not to be overdone. Simplicity can be best at times — it is important that the sanctuary or stage is not overwhelmed by too many colors at once. The used of stage lighting and visual presentation on a screen or visual monitor should never distract from the worship message — it should be an aid for the congregation, not a distraction.

If a worship pastor plans on introducing new mediums of visual art — rather on screen or onstage — it is best to do so slowly. One element at a time used wisely can lay the foundation for a new experience in just a few months. Again, like architecture, visual arts can be used to draw people’s eyes to a certain physical place in the church; it can be used as teaching aids for the pastor; and it can engage the congregation as they respond to the word and works of God.

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