FOR CREATIVE
CHURCH MINISTRIES
Those
of us in local church ministry of any kind know what a wonderful calling
it truly is and most of us wouldn't trade places with anyone…but we also
know there is often a constant, all out "daily-ness" required of ministers.
With that in mind, I've put together a few ideas that might help if you're
looking for new ways to share the world's most dangerous message. These
ideas go from basic to "out-there" but sometimes just having a list in
front of you can stir the pot of your own creativity. If you try one of
these and it goes well, email and let me know. If it doesn't… there's
always next week!
What’s
the BIG IDEA?
By
Caron
Loveless/
VISUALS
Place
scriptures on screen with voice reading off stage
Duet
with one singer on stage other on screen
Fog
machine/ haze for intelligent lights
Fixed
lighting gobos shines series title or other message on wall or other surface
Theme
on walls as decoration/artwork
Tell
a narrated story with dance
Have
dancers come out of the congregation on the stage to interact with words
on the screen as if God was speaking to them
Have
God talk to the congregation via words on the screen (try paraphrased
scripture)
Announcements/
teaching done from a lift above the stage
Videotape
announcements from a boat/car/train/playground/swimming pool/home, pastor’s
or staff person’s vacation spot,etc.
Have
announcement person on video interact with pastor on stage
Have
pastor momentarily speak from inside a hot sports car using live video
feed. (*Applied to singles/dating message: how we’re
attracted to the “hot” outer shell but what really counts
is who’s driving..and how much garbage they keep in the back seat.)
Animated/Enhanced
Computer Graphics
Video
Countdown clock leading up to service start time
Create
silhouette of a person(s) /dancer on a large screen or scrim
Drama
with background slides creating a certain environment (city/office/etc.)
Slit
in false video screen that can be stepped through
Drama/Song
combination where actor and vocalist are the same
Video
person interacting with a live person in a drama
Give
everyone an inexpensive object that relates to the message as a symbol
to remember (* smooth rock= character training,
dime=God
thinks you are a “10”, leaf=commitment to grow)
Turn
out lights and use an over head “search light” while someone speaks about
God’s unrelenting search for us
Place
special sticker on church bulletin and winners receive a gift /book/set
of tapes, etc.
Have
someone hit tennis balls/paper wads/ ping-pong balls at the speaker as
he talks about God constantly trying to get our attention/communicate
with us.
In
a series on spiritual makeovers, refinish a piece of furniture over the
length of the series
Have
giant water pots on stage during a teaching on the Wedding at
Bring
a live sheep on stage to talk about “we are the sheep of his pasture”