FUMC Media and Technology
Information and Scheduling for the Media Team of Marysville FUMC

Graphic Images that Grab

2. Sermon Series

Many pastors like to preach sermons in series. This can be both good and bad when it comes to media. It’s fairly common for us to see churches use the same main graphic for the entire series. This can become quite repetitive; usually, after the second week the congregation will begin to ignore the image on the screen.

Using the same image can also make the series feel as if it isn’t progressing. Even if the pastor is bringing new ideas to the pulpit each week, if none are being brought to the screen, people can feel as if things are going nowhere. It’s important to keep in mind that, in terms of communication forms, the screen is both ubiquitous and dominant. It often overshadows what is being spoken, for good or bad, so it’s extremely important to make the visuals progress too.

FIGURE 1

There are a couple ways to keep the screen as fresh as the preaching during a series (assuming, of course, the preaching is fresh each week). First you might consider creating variations on the theme graphic for the series. Make each week look similar but alter the design enough to make it stand on its own.

Next you might give each week its own metaphor or unique theme but have an overall series graphic or icon that ties them together.

A church Jason served did a series called “Divine Direction” where each week utilized a different direction-themed metaphor. The individual weeks were True North (a compass metaphor), Personal Navigator (GPS), Go West (cowboy riding off into the sunset), and Direction Unexpected (moss growing on north side of trees). Each week had its own look that kept momentum going and people engaged (Figure 1).

 Jason Moore and Len Wilson are Midnight Oil Productions, a ministry designed to help churches tell the Story in a new light through worship resources and training. They may be reached at www.midnightoilproductions.com.