Scripture and sermon points then become visual without going in several different directions. Retention improves when this communication technique is employed. The “theme and variations approach” to visual images equates to a move from the “scattershot” approach (ideas characterized by the written) to the “rifleshot” approach (ideas characterized by the oral and visual.)
Andrew Baer posted in an online seminar that we recently led: “Something that I experience as I pray with a scripture and what God wants to say to this people is that often an image will come to me. I try to create that image, with the limited time and resources I have, as a main symbol for the sermon. So it’s kind of a spiritual thing. An image comes, not with words attached, but just an image. It’s almost revelatory.”
Further, the image needs to be present throughout worship and established long before the sermon begins. It is important to help people see the connections between the biblical truth and the visual representation of it throughout worship. In many of the services we’ve visited as consultants and as worshipers, there has been a disconnection between the visual representation of the gospel and the spoken or musical representation of it. It’s important to help worshipers interpret the images used in worship. It is not helpful to simply project images with no attempt at a verbal connection. A person should be able to walk into worship at any point in the service and quickly understand the image.
3. Understand visual metaphor.
Metaphor is a tangible exploration of an abstract concept. It is a way to enter into an idea using a connection point that is everyday and ordinary. There is great power in metaphor, which we discuss extensively in Design Matters: Creating Powerful Imagery for Worship and in our other materials.
Most preachers confine metaphorical language to an illustration for an individual talking point. There might be 3-4 metaphors over the course of a sermon. While this method may work in literate-based preaching, it isn’t conducive to visual interpretation. The visual preacher understands the power of a single, visual metaphor. The use of image is the mechanism for persuasion in this culture, just as rhetoric was the mechanism for persuasion in a preliterate culture.
Also, be aware that metaphor isn’t a catchall word for anything visual. Preachers should be able to sum up how the idea connects with a metaphor in a few words by completing this sentence: This biblical story/ concept/ message is like ___________. This will help insure that an image is actually a visual metaphor.
3. Be non-linear.
In other words, be non-linear in the interrelationship of word and image during sermon development. Don’t just exegete text and then find image to match; be willing to let image exist and grow developmentally along with text. Think about visual references in culture to communicate ideas. Exegete culture along with scripture. If there is a metaphor to go with a theme, spend time exegeting the metaphor.
Gene said,
Wrote on January 2, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
Another great article, guys. Though using ‘exegete’ suggests you’ve caught a mild case of “seminarian’s disease” (the need to show how much you learned in seminary
But given the target audience of preachers, it may help connect with them.
I like the references to specific movies and songs. (Which also reminds me to put ‘Munich’ in my Netflix queue. I can’t watch it at the Red Cross during apheresis, because at 2 hours, 44 minutes, is significantly longer than the procedure takes) It makes the description of the power of imagery vs. words that much clearer.
Learning to Preach with Image at youth ministry blog said,
Wrote on August 18, 2007 @ 5:33 am
[...] From the people over at Midnight Oil Productions A fire and a blanket. Once, this was the technology for visual communication. Important messages could be seen rising above the plains from many miles away, as Native Americans relayed signals with smoke. These signals were of vital importance to the tribe. They could warn against oncoming attacks or be a call for help. Sometimes they were meant to simply convey that everything was normal. Smoke signals were not standardized code, as one might expect. They were instead aimed to transmit secret knowledge between friends or allies. [...]
PASTOR VICKI J. CUBBAGE said,
Wrote on January 5, 2010 @ 5:24 pm
I ENJOYED YOUR ARTICLE. I HAVE BEEN AT PARK PLACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN LAVALE,MD. FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS NOW. I USE A VISUAL TABLE EVERY WEEK. I USE ITEMS THAT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY SERMON AND AS I SPEAK,I PICK UP EACH ITEM AND DESCRIBE THEIR IMPORTANCE. COLORS ARE IMPORTANT AND SO ARE SOUNDS. I HAVE EVEN USED SUCH ITEMS AS SMALL FOUNTAINS. I EVEN USED MY OWN DIPLOMA ON GRADUATION SUNDAY. DURING LENT I TRACED MY OWN SOLES OF MY SHOES TO USE AS THE STEPS TO THE CROSS AND EACH WEEK I ADDED SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THE FOOT STEPS. I TAKE PICTURES OF EACH TABLE AND I KEEP A COPY FOR MY OWN USE AND I SEND A COPY TO THE DISTRICT SUPERNINTENDENT’S OFFICE,JUST IN CASE HE LIKES THE IDEA. I LEARNED THE USE OF VISUALS AT A LEADERSHIP DAYS SEMINAR ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO.
GREAT IDEA. I HOPE IT CATCHES ON. IT HAS MY CONGREGATION’S ATTENTION. THEY TALK ABOUT IT ALL OF THE TIME. THEY THINK THAT IT REALLY HELPS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY.