Sound. Microphones not turned up in
time, the screech or pinging of feedback,
people chatting as if watching TV, doors left
open to noisy lobbies and hallways.
Verbal. The director says to the scriptwriter, “Do three things: cut, cut and cut.”
Writer Adrian Plass said of the British
preacher David Watson,
“Every sentence he uttered was like a carved
diamond.” For example,
craft your announcement about next Sunday’s luncheon. It’s easy
to elaborate. It’s hard to
simplify.
Visual. Poor lighting,
latecomers, unappealing banners, delays,
messiness, fussing and
fixing. The newest challenge is animated projections that, like a
sports screen in a restaurant, constantly
yank our attention away from our guests.
Most of us can’t ignore a screen, so use
it selectively. A candle is simple. Bread
DENNiS HASSELL is a worship arts consultant and scriptwriter based in Toronto. Preston Pouteaux, DMin 2012
and wine are simple. A cross is simple.
Jesus was complex. But He was not complicated.
Honour the Audience
We worship artists are the servants of
God and His people. His people are not
just pew-sitters but participants. Create regular healthy conduits for
feedback that help us
improve. And the “box
office” will improve at
the same time.
Once upon a time
the Church dedicated
itself to worship arts.
They called it the Renaissance. Today we
have more resources
than ever to integrate the
arts into worship – arts as worship – and
hopefully a burning desire to do it well. FT
Director’s Notes:
Start with everything
written, and depart from
it only when it seems
necessary. You can still
respond to the leading of
the Holy Spirit – but start
listening for the Spirit in
planning and rehearsal.
“Tyndale’s Doctor of
Ministry program has
given me the tools and
the vision to learn how to
navigate complex issues”
For more information on how
Tyndale’s DMin is the right
program for you, please visit
www.tyndale.ca/seminary/dmin
