PowerPoint - "Yes" or "No"?

[ParsonJefferson]

I've seen several people post something about PowerPoint on some other threads. Some good, some not so good.

What are your thoughts about using PowerPoint (or some other projection software system) in church? Do you LIKE it or DISLIKE it?

Personally, I like it. We use it every Sunday, during the entire service.

Here are some of my positive thoughts towards the use of PowerPoint...
1. It is good stewardship. We can "project" the words of songs we use (some of which are not in our hymnal), rather than making 200 copies. We also don't have to buy new chorus books all the time. (Yes, we have a CCLI agreement )
2. It facilitates the use of maps, outlines and notes during sermons. This helps people follow along and stay focused better (hearing AND seeing).
3. It makes it easier for our older people to see and sing the words to songs (our screen is 12'x12'). In fact, the RARE times when we don't use PowerPoint, some of our older people will ask why not.
4. It facilitates better singing - in our particular case. People's faces are foward and upward, instead of buried in their hymnals.
5. It provides flexibility. Though not often, we have shows video clips and/or pictures from recent church functions.


This is my "short list".

What are your feelings about using PowerPoint in church?

 

[GK]

It can be a great tool. Like any tool, it can be used well or it can be used poorly. The tool, itself, is neutral.

If you're going to use it (I'm speaking to the general "you" here), be sure you're not using it just because it's the cool thing or because you think the technology will magically fix the real problems in your church. Learn how to use it well. Find someone with an artistic eye who can make the slides look good and be functional. Find someone to run the system who knows what s/he is doing.

 

[Sketcher]

Powerpoint is good.

 

[Godslilgurlalways]

I've seen several people post something about PowerPoint on some other threads. Some good, some not so good.

What are your thoughts about using PowerPoint (or some other projection software system) in church? Do you LIKE it or DISLIKE it?

Personally, I like it. We use it every Sunday, during the entire service.

Here are some of my positive thoughts towards the use of PowerPoint...
1. It is good stewardship. We can "project" the words of songs we use (some of which are not in our hymnal), rather than making 200 copies. We also don't have to buy new chorus books all the time. (Yes, we have a CCLI agreement )
2. It facilitates the use of maps, outlines and notes during sermons. This helps people follow along and stay focused better (hearing AND seeing).
3. It makes it easier for our older people to see and sing the words to songs (our screen is 12'x12'). In fact, the RARE times when we don't use PowerPoint, some of our older people will ask why not.
4. It facilitates better singing - in our particular case. People's faces are foward and upward, instead of buried in their hymnals.
5. It provides flexibility. Though not often, we have shows video clips and/or pictures from recent church functions.


This is my "short list".

What are your feelings about using PowerPoint in church?

I feel like using a powerpoint in this way is go for people who are deaf they can see the words and pictures and all. Even for some of the older people and evern the younger it is a good tool to use also along with speakers it helps people keep track of what's going on

 

[JulySheMustFly]

We use powerpoint every weekend. It's good.

 

[SoulFly51]

PowerPoint? Pssh - that's old.

Use EasyWorship (it works with PowerPoint)

And yes, technology is good. I really wish more churches would utilize mediums like film to get their points across to this generation.

 

[ParsonJefferson]

PowerPoint? Pssh - that's old.

Use EasyWorship (it works with PowerPoint)

And yes, technology is good. I really wish more churches would utilize mediums like film to get their points across to this generation.

Hey - with EasyWorship can you do the "split screen" on your monitor, so the person running it can see the next slide?

We've been looking at several newer software programs, but haven't jumped into one yet...

 

[murple_kitty]

I don't know how I feel about it. At my church we rarely use it. If we do it is not on Sunday morning.

I honestly feel sorry for the people who run it. Everyone else gets to concentrate on Worshipping, while they concentrate on the slides...that just doesn't seem fair to me.

 

[murple_kitty]

Though I will admit, I like them with missionary reports...

 

[CrazyforYeshua]

I run our multimedia and we like it. We have some elder people in our congregation who can't always hear the scriptures, now they can see them. Also for worship. We like it for the missionaries who come and have DVD's of their ministries, we can show them, we couldn't always before.
Having split/dual screen capability is a must, in my opinion .
As far as concentrating on worship, it's a valid point. We are in the process of training a few different people, so we can switch off, so we all have our days when we can participate in the service, cause not only worship, but I get so concentrated on listening to Pastor, I forget to put the scriptures up......

 

[mslpanthers12]

I love it. It makes it simple and it's an excellent way to show verses to people who dont have bible and to show the lyrics to worship songs.

Powerpoint is a thumbs up for me

 

[SoulFly51]

Hey - with EasyWorship can you do the "split screen" on your monitor, so the person running it can see the next slide?

Of course.

 

[NacDan]

What's power point? We use an overhead projector.



Danny

 

[dalej42]

My church uses powerpoint. For the most part, it is good. My church isn't a bring your own Bible type. I think it also makes a nice backup should they run out of service bulletins with the lyrics of the songs. The two main TV screens show the pastor most of the time. They'll show song lyrics as well as important points during the sermon.

 

[LivingByFaith]

I think using Powerpoint is a need for churches. It is a great benefit to those who can always hear the words, and it's nice to not have our faces in a hymn book. Even before Powerpoint, a church I used to go to used slides (on a slide projector) to present the words.

 

[Bachi234]

I, personally, think that it is an excellent way to show words to a song or Bible verses. It also catches people's attention easily...

 

[Wisdom's Child]

I only have one problem with technology like powerpoint.
It takes prior preparation.

Honestly about half the time, I will step into the pulpit to give a sermon, only to be led spiritually into another topic completely. Those are usually my best sermons, and what notes that I were holding end up crumpled on the floor.

Technology like powerpoint is completely wasted when that happens.

 

[rosiecotton]

I only have one problem with technology like powerpoint.
It takes prior preparation.

Honestly about half the time, I will step into the pulpit to give a sermon, only to be led spiritually into another topic completely. Those are usually my best sermons, and what notes that I were holding end up crumpled on the floor.

Technology like powerpoint is completely wasted when that happens.

I think it's cool though when you do that!!! I have never known either of our ministers (previous and current) to ever do that!!

 

[CrazyforYeshua]

Mine does that, if in 8:00 prayer God deals with him about something, he'll say" I have really good notes for my sermon, and if you wanna read them later, just let me know, cause that's not what I'm gonna be talking about". I know then to just kick up the Quikverse and be prepared to put up whatever verses he has.

 

[Wisdom's Child]

Mine does that, if in 8:00 prayer God deals with him about something, he'll say" I have really good notes for my sermon, and if you wanna read them later, just let me know, cause that's not what I'm gonna be talking about". I know then to just kick up the Quikverse and be prepared to put up whatever verses he has.

Hey now there's an idea......thanks.....

But my electronics guy in the back is not going to be happy.....