Worshipfilms Blog: Blank Screens Can Be Good Things

Blank Screens Can Be Good Things

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:32:00 -0500

We’ve made a big investment in projection equipment, computers, software, and media. We’ve spent a lot of time learning and tweaking the system so that everything looks the best that it can. We have to use it to its fullest potential – we have to get our money’s worth. So we should be projecting something every minute of the service, right? Well…no, not really.

Certainly, almost every church should be using imagery during the service. But remember, projection is a complimentary tool. What is done on the screen should flow with the rest of the service. And sometimes, projecting nothing is the best we can do.

Here are some service points where you should consider projecting nothing:

a quiet, reverent moment of worship when the congregation is completely silent.
you are singing a slower, familiar song, you have repeated the chorus several times, and the worship leader has the instruments stop, so the congregation is worshipping acapella.
the pastor has finished the main part of his message and is closing in a thoughtful, poignant tone.
the pastor is giving a salvation invitation.
someone is leading the congregation in prayer.

At those times, having something on the screen can potentially be more of a distraction than a help. Again, the goal is to flow with/be a part of what God is doing during the service – and sometimes, doing nothing at all is the best way to accomplish that.

"Blank Screens Can Be Good Things" by Christian LouboutinPumps

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:19:04 -0400

Thank you for your sharing,i like it very much,usefull and helpfull me a lot in my life.

"Blank Screens Can Be Good Things" by Jordan Flight SC-1

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:12:04 -0400

Don't climb up mountains, do not know the day; No, and I don't know of the valley to thick; Don't slap him learn, do not know to his ignorance.

"Blank Screens Can Be Good Things" by Elle

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:19:40 -0400

Blank but not black.

"Blank Screens Can Be Good Things" by Tim E

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:45:50 -0500

Amen, brother! Some people say that if you black out the screen that people's mind will shut off. That's pretty silly! One tip: use a transition to black and always use the same transition. That will help train the congregation to switch their focus away from the screen.