Editor's Note: This article is Part 1 of 6 in a series of articles, Using Video in Different Elements of Your Worship Service.

Jeff, in his own words, was "freaking out." He ran down the church hallway, trying hard not to spill his coffee. Bursting into the office of Chris, the worship pastor, he said: "I totally forgot—we need three more adults for our canoe trip. Can you add it to the announcements? I made a video for it. It's only five minutes long."

Before Chris could answer, Jeff was out the door and down the hall. Chris complained out loud, "That's the tenth request this week! If we say yes to everyone, thirty minutes of the service will be spent making announcements!"

Churches constantly fight the announcement battle. How do ministries get important information to the congregation about events, needs, opportunities? Most people skim the bulletin, so an announcement from up front is sometimes the only thing that sticks. However, the more the number of announcements, the less each one is heard. Plus, how much time in a worship service should be given to church business?

The power of pre-service announcements

An option in Chris' case is to use pre-service time to give announcements via video. Using basic movie-making software (it comes with most computers), you can create loops of short announcement sections. The announcements might be text only, as the worship band or organist plays an instrumental prelude. They might be in the form of personal appeals from various ministry leaders, which puts a face to each ministry. Or the pre-service announcements might be mini-testimonies, short stories of how various ministries have affected the lives of church members.

With minor announcements handled before the service, Chris can save time within the service for announcements that affect the entire church. In addition, churches can communicate through the bulletin, flyers, phone trees, e-mail newsletters, blogs, direct mail, and so on.

The power of pre-service countdowns

Chris's senior pastor was concerned. "Chris, I'm worried about the opening song you selected. It seems a bit too upbeat. Is there something we can start with that will be less of a jolt?" Chris envisioned another so-so service opener—moderate, inoffensive, boring. He just wanted to add energy and punch to the beginning of the service.

One strategy, used with great effect by many youth ministries, is the video countdown. Since the space program, we've had ingrained that something exciting happens at the end of a countdown. Many video countdowns are available online, ranging from mellow to hyper-kinetic.

Countdowns also make it clear when a service is starting. If the countdown can be broadcast to video monitors located in church public areas, it can remind the congregation to get moving and find seats. Nothing is likely to end late arrivals, but countdowns can help.

The power of pre-service "vibes"

Instead of announcements or a countdown, Chris might want to set a "vibe," to prepare the congregation emotionally for what's to come. By playing a video of slowly-fading stained-glass windows in a darkened sanctuary, he can prepare people to come into worship with reverence and awe. Or Chris might want to build tension by putting up a series of statistics relating to the day's message.

Many theatres show trivia questions as moviegoers wait for films to begin. This technique can be adapted for a service—for example, lawnmower or recliner trivia for Father's Day. Movie clips themselves can set up the topic of the day. (Clips from feature films must be licensed for public viewing; see www.cvli.org or other sites.) Bible verses, quotations, even single words fading in and out can construct a feel as the congregation enters.

Two months later, Chris sat at his desk, thinking over the changes that had been made to the pre-service time. A new announcement policy had opened up nearly ten minutes of service time. He'd gotten a note from a church elder, complimenting Chris and his teams on "improving the first impression that people have when they walk into the church services." Best of all, his eight-year-old daughter thought the beginning of church each week was more "fun."

Copyright © 2006 FaithVisuals.com