As a new coming on board worship chair in 2015, I wanted some inspiration for adding more visual and movement elements to worship at my church. I created a board on Pinterest to provide some ideas and inspiration. It is a large Gothic styled sanctuary and calls for more dramatic - and larger - displays so they are not lost in the vast height of the space.
On the journey to find inspiration I discovered how many congregations call this element adding additional visual symbols "stagecraft". In more liturgical or classical churches this is "worship" based, at the "altar" or the "pulpit" but more contemporary groups 'stage' the front in the manner of theater or a late night television program.
For those individuals, there is less emphasis on corporate worship and more on personal "experience." A different view and there are good things to be said about each and some negatives as well.
The basic purpose of worship, the task of connecting with unchurched people in a modern culture, and a human tendency to improve, impress, and inspire are often in conflict as groups and people come from different vantage points.
How respectful is a "stage"? How intimidating is an "altar"? Why do our symbols say and how are they really understood? For churches who cannot have a clean stage on which they may craft visuals to enhance the thematic sermons or liturgical seasons, special innovation and creativity may be required.
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| Image of a church using cloth as an element of design |
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| Large elements are often needed for large and tall spaces to bring added visual impact |
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| Avoid the temptation to think of only using a single table or a single area of space |
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