video jockeys - beyond video technicians

[Dave]

Helena,



I am familiar with the concept and have seen it used at secular events, but haven't personally encountered it in worship.



I'm not sure I'd find it helpful. I'm not a fan of pictorial backgrounds for song lyrics - to be honest I find them embarassing and they certainly don't help me worship (quite the opposite usually). I don't think having to look at moving images (even if they are done in a supposedly sensitive manner) will be an improvement.



I can see it being of possible value (1) in a youth setting, (2) at alternative worship events, or (3) in a concert environment. But at regular church services or conferences, I would question whether it's the right approach.



OHPs started to be used when the desire to sing new songs made songbooks impractical, and we also found that they brought freedom from having to hold a book and turn pages. This corresponded with the change from singing songs about God to singing songs to God. The whole idea was to minimise the distractions so that people could focus more on worship. Projecting the words enabled this, but the screen was never intended to be anything more than a communal songbook.



Computer projection continued this development, making it simpler and better, but also enabling more use of the visual at other times. However, to have a dynamic video backdrop during congregational singing is actually quite a major transition. The idea of video images during music was developed by the pop music industry, and I am concerned that this concept is being brought into worship without without thinking a bit more deeply about the issues involved. To me, the idea is a symptom of the consumerist mentality and it will contribute to the completely mistaken view that worship meetings are a performance - something we go to and watch rather than participate in.



I'm not saying the visual is unimportant - of course it is - and like you I have been involved in decorating spaces for worship. But I don't think having constantly changing video backgrounds is going to create an environment that will help people meet with God.



Than again, my view might be different after I've experienced it...



By the way, I am a big fan of contemporary worship music (without it, I'd be virtually out of a job as a dancer) and I have absolutely no problem with bands and worship leaders, including when they are on a stage at the front of a church (just so long as they leave space for dancing). I'm also pleased that the overall standard of worship music and musicianship has improved vastly over the past 25 years. But we need to remember that the worship setting is different to a performance and we must be very wary of importing the trappings of the rock concert. This does seem to be a growing problem today (in some circles at least). Lighting is one of my big concerns - there is nothing wrong with using appropriate creative lighting for atmosphere (and I've done this myself), but when I see flashing lights during worship music it worries me greatly.



Blessings,



Dave



(Incidentally, I have another hat as a sound/lighting/video technician!)