by Rebecca Barnes, editor 25 Oct 2004

While mega-churches have led the postmodern charge for PowerPoint preaching, smaller and more traditional churches are now finding they also can make worship services and sermons more effective with graphic images. And technology is only half the battle.

"I do not deny a picture is worth a thousand words — if it’s the right picture,” said David Larsen, professor emeritus of preaching and associate director of the professional doctoral programs at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill.

But, he said, “This whole discussion leaves the small church in shock.” With many ministers of smaller congregations already wearing several hats and possibly even working as a pastor only part-time, organizing media presentations for Sunday’s sermon may be too much to ask, he said. And he argued that technology is not the only way to reach postmodern culture.

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"We need to do a lot of reading and thinking about where people are, but I think we can become reductionistic and simplistic in sweeping generalizations," Larsen said.

The smaller church in South Holland, Ill., where he serves as an interim pastor, lost its younger members to nearby mega-churches of suburban Chicago because it was at first reluctant to change. When the church finally did try something new, Larsen said, they went to the extreme in postmodern worship style and technological communication, which alienated older people. "Now they have neither [older or younger members]," he said.

But a growing number of smaller churches and many traditional churches have found a use for technology in their services, especially as the ease of incorporating PowerPoint or video increases. Vince Williams, vice president of business development for Oxygen Multimedia Ministries, said their Website for preaching images is becoming popular with traditional churches.

"We’re really seeing a huge influx now of those churches," he said. "When you start seeing churches like that using PowerPoint it tells me technology is seeping into the woodwork. We’re a visual country and I think churches are seeing that has a purpose."

Williams quoted Barna Research indicating 60 percent of churches are now using some form of visual presentation. Williams said he sees the PowerPoint trend moving into all churches. Oxygen reports some 4,000 customers in their database, 300 subscribers since the first of the year, and some 100,000 pastors each month who use the site in one way or another.

"A lot of people are coming to us because our solution is so easy to use."

Churches that choose an Oxygen image can download it for a few bucks or pay for a subscription, up to $25 a month. The site offers downloads that are compatible with most visual and worship software or as graphics for print and Web material.

Oxygen also provides more traditional biblical imagery that may resonate more with traditional churches, and can supply tutorials and tips for using images effectively.

"Our goal is really to help people at the front lines win more people for the kingdom of God," Williams said.