9:32 PM
Sermonspice.com sells video media specifically targeted for use in church services -- moving backgrounds, countdown timers, and sermon illustrations. I have to be honest up front; I'll get a $20 credit for this post and a link to my blog from their website (it's a "blogfest"). But I'm thankful that I got the offer, because it brought to mind a question that I've wanted to ask.
On Sunday morning we had a song service that I've honestly been waiting on for a couple of months. It focused on God as Creator. For me, it was awe-inspiring because it brought into focus the fact that we as Christ-followers have a personal relationship with the all-powerful Creator of the universe! We serve the same God as did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!
For our lyric projection, I typically use seamlessly looping videos that are about 10 seconds long or so. However, on Sunday I used "long play" videos as backgrounds for two of the songs. For "I Sing the Mighty Power of God," I purchased a video from Sermonspice.com featuring images from nature -- mountains, rivers, etc. That video is here: http://www.sermonspice.com/videos/2739/lift-up-your-eyes-
For "God of Wonders," I used a Sermonspice video showing the universe -- planets, stars, nebule (I think I get triple word score for using "nebulae" in a sentence). That one's here: http://www.sermonspice.com/videos/2145/gods-creation-background- (not sure if the preview is working)
I've visited a couple of church fellowships -- ones that I consider to be somewhat "progressive" in their use of technology -- that choose to not use motion or photo/picture backgrounds. They don't want the background of the lyric projection to provide a distraction or to pull the focus away from God. I completely respect that.
My question for you is this: do you find motion backgrounds, as a rule, to be distracting during your times of singing in worship and in praise, or do they serve to focus your thoughts on what you're singing about and your attention on God? I'm sure I've been guilty of using some that are gaudy or accidentally distracting, but try to factor those out.
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Not my usual post, thought it needed a warning!
I was in Barnes & Noble the other day, and noticed something that ...
6 comments:
Most of the time the backgrounds are helpful. Occasionally, though, some do distract, especially if the words don't loop around fast enough to sing along in time. I know - that would be the words, not the background, but still, you asked. I especially like backgrounds like the space one. You do a great job, Dean. Keep it up. (you can pay me later)
I really do not look at the words much. :) (at least I'm not supposed to when I'm leading)
Seriously even if I am at another church and we do a song I do not know I pay little to no attention to the background because I learn songs from listening - and I tend to close my eyes when I worship. So I might make a quick note of "hey they're using a video feed" or whatever, but I don't think it really affects my worship one way or another. On Sunday I went back to The Brook ro visit since I'm on sabbatical and haven't seen everyone in a while. I did notice we were using a cool abstract motion background on the first song. After that I couldn't tell you cause my eyes were shut and I was focusing on worshiping God.
I guess that wasn't much help. But I just can't worship as well with my eyes open - people distract me more than anything. :)
OK, my personal opinion (not that it matters, but yes...) is that I have seen the greatest level of participation and involvement from the congregation when backgrounds alternate regularly between still shots and moving video. Moving videos are few and highly intentional in our services, but still images can often be more simple, less complex and abstract, keeping them out of the foreground of the peoples' minds.
just my rant,
-jeff
Jeff, if that was a rant, you are truly a gentle soul! :)
Christy's referencing some of the song-specific videos that are pre-packaged (with a little tick-tock in mine and the drummer's ear so we will be able to stay in time with the words, just to spoil the magic). If you lose track of the metronome, you can get yourself into a world of trouble!
We recently did "Mighty to Save" using a new video from Integrity Music, and we did experience some lag, and the text (in our lighting setup) wasn't large enough to be legible for a number of people. I probably will not be using this video again until lighting conditions change and I can make sure we track correctly with the lyrics (we didn't use a "click track" on that one).
What about white text on a black background? That's really the type of thing I was wondering.
Since I am a fairly non-musical person (gasp! I know) most of today's blog is just "greek" to me, but with that said, I could not tell that there was a change of backgrounds on Sunday. I like to see the lyrics but I must not focus on the backgrounds at all. I just fall into the music and worship God. Dean, I especially like the "Word" you always insert. It is so timely.
Not sure if this answers your question.
Deanna
Remember that you asked.
I definitely noticed the backgrounds. They were interesting but seemed to make me a bit dizzy. Kind of like those videos where you are in a plane flying over the Grand Canyon. I had to really concentrate on the words which is not a bad thing. Sunday's music was a blessing and a chance to worship a wonderful God.
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