Opinions on the use of Projectors and Powerpoint in Preaching

As long as used well, I think they are a great help. Our church has two screens, so each side of the auditorium can view without having a twisted neck at the end of the service. I also think it is good because not everyone learns as fast as others using the same medium. In other words, not everyone can learn from listening at the same pace as another. But that person may learn extremely well at seeing. Matter of fact, just yesterday my wife did a spiritual gifts test for me. It was 80 questions, and I had to have her repeat almost all of them back as I have a hard time comprehending just from audio. But if I had read the questions, I would have completed it extremely quick.

Not to debate whether it is necessary to turn to every passage the preacher says, but it is nice to just sit and not worry about turning in the Bible to the passage. Also nice not to turn to every song you are singing. It helps the flow of worship from song to song. And I cannot tell you how many new people to church have no idea how to sing from a hymnal.

I have used powerpoint/projector for several types of services. Personally I find it particularly helpful in certain settings and less helpful in others. In less formal settings like wed. night bible study or high school chapels it has been quite helpful. I agree with Daniel that it helps those that are more visually oriented to see the main points and some of the scripture passages as well as hear them.

I have also found powerpoint to be especially helpful in services that are particularly geared toward evangelism. As biblical literacy declines among the general population, having the scripture passages put on screen can be helpful as often the lost don’t know where to find the book of Romans, or may even not know about chapter and verse divisions. You can save time and some of the awkwardness of asking them to turn to different passages. Also, many may not even have a Bible with them and may not use a pew Bible if one is even available. If there is power in God’s word to create life (and there is!) then helping them to see it can by putting it onscreen instead of hoping they turn to the passage and can find it can help our evangelistic efforts.

Just a personal opinion - I don’t think that in more formal settings powerpoint is as helpful. I probably wouldn’t use it on Sunday morning as at least in my experience the use of powerpoint seems to somewhat lessen the formality of the service. Also, I think we should be training our people to sit and listen to preaching so that they are not dependent upon visual crutches. But as I said it is a personal opinion.

when people are singing looking up at a screen the place seems louder because they aren’t looking down at the hymnal but are singing out. This can be a good thing. Now, after saying this, I think that we have to remember that technology is a tool, plane and simple. I would not want to get a screen just to get a screen. I only want a screen if it will enhance the Word.

I’m not a pastor since becoming President of Baptist Church Planters, but I do preach someplace in the USA on most Sundays. I agree with the comments already posted. In the church I attend, FIrst Baptist, Elyria, OH we use power point and the pastor puts his main points on the screen. I notice some adults and lots of children take notes so this is very helpful to them. The visual adds to the minds ability to remember. I also like it for map purposes.

But a rebuke. One time I overused the power point by putting too many pics up. A godly lady came to me after the service and ask if she could give me some advice. I said sure. She proceed to tell me that I didn’t need to put all the pics up because my ability to paint the picture through words was enough and to allow the minds to imagine was healthy. I took her rebuke seriously and never again over did the power point presentation.

My first Pastor and Pastor of much of my adulthood used an overhead before there was powerpoint. It was fantastic. Good for congregations who may have essential notes broadcsted in this manner. His was mainly used for exegetical exercises.

I don’t mind Powerpoint presentations, or the use of projectors. But I find it distracting when they use pictures in the slides. I think if someone is going to use Powerpoints, they should have a dark, solid background, and only use it to post Scripture texts, or song lyrics. Anything else makes it difficult to concentrate on the text.

Powerpoint presentations should never take away the focus away from the speaker/preacher. It should be a tool that compliments the teacher.