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Preaching Articles

1. Video is the #1 information delivery tool in the world today.

With over three billion videos viewed on YouTube every day and 80 million hours of videos being watched daily, the impact of video on the mission of the church is immense. Video is no longer just about entertaining; it’s a proven information delivery tool.

2. Video holds attention better. 

Video is visually interactive; this helps hold the attention of the viewer, resulting in greater retention and application of what is being communicated.

3. Video helps your church stay relevant.

What will people in your audience be thinking about this coming weekend?  Would you like to illustrate a point using a football video clip? Want to inspire people to invest their life in something that will outlive them by using a clip about Steve Jobs? Video helps you intersect with where your people already are emotionally, in order to speak life-changing truth into their lives.

4. Video content is plentiful and inexpensive. 

Engaging your audience with a video that relates to your topic has never been easier, and YouTube has proven time and time again that video content does not have to be Hollywood quality to communicate effectively and impact the human heart. Instead of thinking about which verbal illustration you can use, think about which video illustration would be appropriate.

5. Video shapes your demographic. 

Like worship song choices, the regular use of video over time helps to shape your audience and attract a younger demographic, especially young families in the 30-something and under demographic.

Barry Whitlow is a Church Growth Consultant and pastor specializing in visitor attraction & retention; how to cast vision to keep giving momentum high; church growth through guest services; and capital campaign fundraising.

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John E Miller avatar

John E Miller

commented on Mar 8, 2012

If you feel that biblical preaching is out of date and if you feel that the Holy Spirit of God has ceased taking the things of Christ and showing them to Christian believers and if you think that holding the precious word of the Living God in your hands while you preach, teach or listen to its exposition are all out of date, this is a wonderful alternative. Personally I think that it is rubbish and is utterly dangerous and subversive. It has no relevance to the scriptural model of sounf teaching.

Michael Durst avatar

Michael Durst

commented on Mar 8, 2012

@John, I couldn't disagree more. Video didn't exist in Jesus day, so of course it isn't included in the scriptural model of teaching. But to throw it out is not wise either. The Jesus Film is a form of video being used around the world for the salvation of thousands of souls, Praise the Lord! Video can also be a helpful tool in the local church!

Larry Hodgson avatar

Larry Hodgson

commented on Mar 8, 2012

Biblical Preaching, expository approach or topical, is ever more essential as the population is drifting away from knowledge of the Bible. I believe that we need to get back to the basics and stay close to the written Word of God. I do not necessarily believe that it is to the exclusion of "more modern media". I have seen many trends since I came to know the Lord and it seems to me that the church is about 7 to 10 years behind the "world's" approach for getting your product out to the public. One missing link in our church today is the unity of it's members. Church has become a scheduled program to be a spectator of and then "turn-it-back-on" same time same station one week later. Mentoring is a key word becoming popular in recent days. It is somewhat a trend approach as well but holds a great deal of the basic principles taught in the Scriptures to keep God's Word fresh and communicated in each generation

Keith B avatar

Keith B

commented on Mar 8, 2012

What of the small church that simply doesn't have the means to have a worship band...much less big screens to show youtube videos? Or the congregation that is made up of people that wouldn't know how to turn a computer on, much less find their way to youtube? How is it "relevant" to show such videos?

David Bush avatar

David Bush

commented on Mar 8, 2012

Interesting discussion. I'm never so arrogant as to think that I can convey every Biblical concept, truth, or Scripture passage better than anyone else who may have recorded it on a video. God has called me to deliver the Word of God to those listening - as of yet I haven't had to decide that the Bible is out of date in order to play a video. Jesus used tools of the day too - He wrote in the sand. Thank you Barry for challenging us to be passionate about pursuing souls and training disciples.

Linda Snyder avatar

Linda Snyder

commented on Mar 8, 2012

John, I have never posted before. But I was compelled to respond to your post. Our call is to connect mind and heart with the Word of God... to speak English to those who speak English and Japanese to those who speak Japanese... or French... or Spanish, etc. Biblical preaching is never out of date and the Holy Spirit is alive and well. If this generation speaks in visual images - which they do - then must proclaim the "precious Word of the Living God" in a manner which brings life to those without life. The Holy Spirit can and does work in well chosen videos that add to the spoken word. It is the 2012 version of the "object lesson" Jesus so effectively used! What is dangerous is to continue to speak in a foreign language when we are a Pentecost people!

Jun Ang avatar

Jun Ang

commented on Mar 8, 2012

@John, I couldn't agree with you more. Scripture calls us to preach the word. Yes video can be helpful but not essential - just as sound system, projectors, etc. are not helpful but not essential. God bless you and continue to preach the word. P.S. if you are the john miller who's a pastor in texas, then you probably are the pastor of my bro-in-law; they're blessed to have you.

Jun Ang avatar

Jun Ang

commented on Mar 8, 2012

@michael, you say because video didn't exist in Jesus' day that is why He didn't use it - of course but have you considered that the Lord came to such a time and place because He sees and wants us to understand that PREACHING, the message and the means (1 Cor 2:4), is all it takes to declare the word? Have you considered that if our means were better, then Jesus could have come in our day and age? Have you also considered that it's not the Jesus film which saved people, but it was the work of the Holy Spirit - you can show the Jesus film a million times but if the Holy Spirit will not open their eyes, then no one will be saved. I'm not saying we throw it out, yes we use it but it seem to me that the article is not about that.

Jun Ang avatar

Jun Ang

commented on Mar 8, 2012

The Gospel is what makes the church relevant, not some video presentation. If what i want is to see some video, i would go to a movie not go to church.

Jerry Tanner avatar

Jerry Tanner

commented on Mar 8, 2012

"all things to all men that I might win some" great ideas on using video. thanks, you tube is a bit of a challenge, any short cuts on finding and cropping relevant videos?

John E Miller avatar

John E Miller

commented on Mar 9, 2012

Jun Ang, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I preach in Scotland. My home church is a small independent evangelical church which treasures the all-sufficiency of God's word. We believe that the Holy Spirit uses that word as the seed whence new life according to God will appear in men and women through the new birth.

Robert Sickler avatar

Robert Sickler

commented on Mar 9, 2012

Excellent recommendation! A computer projector, a white wall or sheet, and a lap top computer is all you need. The cost is very minor and the return is ever so great. Are you an old guy like me? No problem, involve someone else in your special sermon presentations. Videos are good but so too are power point presentations. Again, good opportunity to get others involved. Just remember, the band leader does not play every instrument but he is the one who makes music.

Anthony R. Watson avatar

Anthony R. Watson

commented on Mar 12, 2012

Here are the 5 most destructive words that will kill a vision --------> "We've never done that before." Video presentations is only another tool to get the Word out effectively. Newletters, PowerPoint presentations, etc. are all tools for the spreading of the Gospel. For those of you still stuck in a time warp, and still using chalk boards, and the same old and tired presentations methods, wake up! The horse-and-buggy era of ministry is over.

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