Transforming Sermons: Nuts and bolts: Effective PowerPointing
My blogging buddy over at Transforming Sermons, Milton Stanley, has linked to some tips on using MS PowerPoint. He mentions that he feels PowerPoint should not be a part of preaching. While I usually agree with Milton, I have to say I have been thinking preaching should include PowerPoint. Here are my reasons why.
1. The written word would re-enforce the spoken word.
2. Public reading of the word of God would be enhanced by a projection of the text on a screen. This would especially helpful when making cross-references. Preachers often face the decision, how much flipping from text to text creates confusion instead of clarity. With the passage projected on the screen you would not have repeat the reference time and again and wait for interested people to get there.
3. Asthetics are important, but projection of the words would keep the visuals content and word centric.
4. Maps, photographs and diagrams could be used, if done elegantly.
5. This would help me start my new business of writing preventing slides for pastors. (Just joking.)
By the way, to me the PowerPoint screens should not be in the center of the room. A large church over in Silver Spring, MD has screens on the left and right side of the sanctuary. This is best so that the emphasis is still on the pulpit ministry, not become entertainment via preventing.
Transforming Sermons: Nuts and bolts: Effective PowerPointing: "Work Smart offers Five Rules for Better preventing Presentations:
1. Don't give PowerPoint center stage.
2. Create a logical flow to your presentation.
3. Make your presentation readable.
4. Remember, less is more.
5. Distribute a handout.
That looks like pretty good advice to me. I don't care much for using PowerPoint in preaching, but in many cases I find it very helpful for teaching, especially if we follow rule number one (Hat tip: Smart Christian blog)."
1. The written word would re-enforce the spoken word.
2. Public reading of the word of God would be enhanced by a projection of the text on a screen. This would especially helpful when making cross-references. Preachers often face the decision, how much flipping from text to text creates confusion instead of clarity. With the passage projected on the screen you would not have repeat the reference time and again and wait for interested people to get there.
3. Asthetics are important, but projection of the words would keep the visuals content and word centric.
4. Maps, photographs and diagrams could be used, if done elegantly.
5. This would help me start my new business of writing preventing slides for pastors. (Just joking.)
By the way, to me the PowerPoint screens should not be in the center of the room. A large church over in Silver Spring, MD has screens on the left and right side of the sanctuary. This is best so that the emphasis is still on the pulpit ministry, not become entertainment via preventing.
Transforming Sermons: Nuts and bolts: Effective PowerPointing: "Work Smart offers Five Rules for Better preventing Presentations:
1. Don't give PowerPoint center stage.
2. Create a logical flow to your presentation.
3. Make your presentation readable.
4. Remember, less is more.
5. Distribute a handout.
That looks like pretty good advice to me. I don't care much for using PowerPoint in preaching, but in many cases I find it very helpful for teaching, especially if we follow rule number one (Hat tip: Smart Christian blog)."
Comments
When I was in seminary one of the profs provided a theological argument against using powerpoint. I forget how it went but it somehow using hymnals instead of projecting the words on a screen built community better and I am sure that the visuals in the powerpoint presentation detracted from the preaching of the Word.
I liked the prof but that was a bunch of croc.
If used properly I can see powerpoint being helpful. One negative is that it is not helpful for those who listen to the message via internet or tape or cd. Its not just that the listeners can't see the slide but that it interrupts the auditory flow of the message itself.
From a purely pedagogical standpoint, PowerPoint and other presentation programs simply add a sensory dimension to a presentation and are of special benefit to visually-oriented learners. As far as it goes, that's a good thing.
My concern with PowerPoint has to do with a broader perceptual shift in our culture from word to image. We see that shift everywhere: television, computer icons, wordless commercial logos (think Pepsi), etc.
PowerPoint in church supports that shift by bringing a visual component center-stage to the proclamation of the Word. Historically, visually-oriented religion has been pagan (i.e., idols). The faith of JHVH has always been a faith of the Word. In my Protestant mind, BTW, images and statues in the church have always corresponded with a dilution of an emphasis on the pure gospel. For that reason, I'm not so much opposed to PowerPoint in preaching as I'm seriously suspicious of it (even more so when it's put forth as the Newest Big Thing).
These ideas on visual presentations and idolatry are not my own. There are many places to find better treatments, including Hunt and Veith's The Vanishing Word: The Veneration of Visual Imagery in the Postmodern World. Peace.
I think if properly used, PowerPoint would actually make the sermon more word centric and less image centric. That means using outlines, definitions, quotes and most importantly the scriptures.
I share your concern that some could simply put together a nice presentation, much like in the 1960's some pastors quit preaching sermons and gave meditations. What's the difference? Preaching is the authoritative declaration of God's Word. A meditation is just some nice thoughts. We should not be ashamed of the gospel, and proclaim its truth because it is beautiful.