Depending on the size, denomination and stance on smoke machines of your church, this post might be a complete miss. The church I grew up in certainly didn’t have any videos during the service. Sure, we watched McGee and me in Sunday School sometimes, but that’s not what I’m talking about.
I’m talking about big screen productions shown during the middle of the church service. Now some of the more progressive churches are going to giggle at this post, pat it on the head, and tell it, “You’re adorable.”
They’ve already moved on to piping in specific scents for specific sermons, not kidding, and are developing hologram ushers, sort of kidding.
But whether you’ve seen a million videos in church or never experienced this phenomenon, allow me to school you on the three main types.
1. Comic Relief.
Turns out that in Ecclesiastes, it says, “there’s a time to laugh.” Take that people who act like laughing in church is a sin! OT bombshell! And what better way to laugh than a video involving a kid or a dog or, preferably, a monkey riding the back of a dog like it was some sort of miniature pony. But everyone knows what a diva that dog-riding monkey is, just a huge hassle to work with. So, sometimes, to bring some comic relief into the service, the video will involve a kid. Here’s an example. I helped write this video with Tripp Crosby and Joel Thomas for a North Point Community Church service aimed at single adults.
2. Public Service Announcement
Remember all those Public Service Announcements NBC used to make? Some random character from the show “Scrubs” would stare at the camera while wearing an approachable looking sweater and say, “I’m on a funny show, but there’s nothing funny about rabies. If you’ve got raccoons in your backyard during the day, be careful. Raccoons are nocturnal. That’s not right.” Sometimes churches need to make Public Service Announcements too. And this is probably my favorite of all time. In it, Tripp Crosby and Tyler Stanton make a hilarious plea to parents who are bringing screaming babies to church. (Sensitive subject!)
3. Sermon Promo
This one is pretty self-explanatory. You promo a sermon. You let everyone know, “Hey next week, we’re starting a new sermon series you don’t want to miss.” I love these, except they do leave you open to the odd Jesus Juke. “You want a sermon promo? Here’s my Bible! Look at it! This is what I’m preaching about from today until sweet baby Jesus calls me home.” But if you do go the sermon promo angle, here’s a simple rule of thumb to remember: “When in doubt, Royal Tenenbaum it out.” That didn’t even rhyme, but it is exactly what my church, Cross Point, did recently. They dressed me up in a jumpsuit as a character from the Royal Tenenbaums, outfitted Carlos as a wrestler, and threw some of the craziest characters together for a Summer Slam series. (I’m preaching five services on July 17th.) Here’s the video:
Am I the only one who attends churches who use video?
Have you ever seen a video during church? Braveheart clip? Matrix scene?
Anyone?
Does your church use video?
