The Use of Images in Worship
Jodi Adams wrote a really thought-provoking piece over at Creative Worship Tour.com on Tuesday. She talks about how our use of images in worship gatherings can frame or re-frame the actual meaning of songs in the worship gathering environment. Talking about how our own agendas influence our choices, she says:
When art becomes that purposeful, that monochromatic (so to speak), that agenda driven it becomes propaganda, no matter how excellent the execution of design.
This puts words to what I sometimes feel about the imagery in worship gatherings. Certain kinds of images have become so commonplace, so typically used to elicit (manipulate?) response out of those gathered, that something just feels icky about it.
I think we can do better. I think we can be more thoughtful about the imagery we use. I think we can be more imaginative. And more than anything, I think we can be more courageous.
