Tuesday, September 4, 2007

It's a visual generation: myth or reality?

There's a interesting trend that has been going on in our churches for some time now. That is the trend for churches to use PowerPoint, pictures, and video in our worship services. It seems to go along with the trend toward contemporary music.

There is a common argument that supporters of that trend tend to use to justify or promote the movement in that direction. The argument goes something like this, "We live in a visual generation, our youth are drawn by videos and visual images. This is the way we can get through to them, this is the way they learn." This argument seems to hold some sway with many people to either accept it, or not know what else to say", because there seems to be some truth in it.

I think, wheather you are for or against this trend, this argument is a poor one, let me explain.

Let me first start with what everyone sees. Yes, we watch our youth and how they are drawn to or impacted by well-done videos or visual presentations of the gospel or Biblical concepts. I do not think anyone can deny the impact of these potentially posative visual experiences on our youth, they can be used (as with most other medium) for good.

However, the argument made is that this is a 'generational issue', meaning that our youth are different than us, that they are persuaded or drawn more by the visual than we were in the past. Is that true, or not? Then, because we assume it to be true, it shapes how we design and conduct our worship of God as a corporate body of the church.

When I first heard this argument, I was drawn in by it, because it seemed to have some truth, but as time went on and I heard others talk about it, I heard both the good that the youth found in it, but also the complaints about it from others. I also drew from my experiences teaching Sunday School. Let me tell you of those.

I taught on the creation/evolution twice, once based on a book (Refuting Evolution, by Dr. Jonathan Sarfati) and once based on the videos (The Answers Video series by Ken Ham). Here's what I noticed. The videos where easy for anyone to come in and get the basic concepts taught, it did open things up for a lot of questions and discussion about the issues. However, the book seemed to get people in deeper into the topic, when we reviewed the topic and had discussion in class after reading the book during the week, the questions seemed to have more depth and understanding. The class with the video had more consistent attendance, and more frequent visitors, because one could stop in and participate without any prior preparation or knowledge. The class with the book required and helped develop more depth of knowledge and understanding.

From this experience and others, I asked myself the question. Is this really a 'visual generation', or is something else going on. I reflected on how I learn. Even recently, I wanted to learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls. If I try first to purchase and read an in-depth book on the topic, I tend to have a tougher time at it, however, if I start by attending a class or watching a video/DVD I get the big picture first. Once I get the big picture, I find that the video's are not enough, I need more information and depth to truly undersand it. Could a video provide that? Maybe, if it were a several hour/day long, however, a good book which explains concepts, and asks questions, and makes you think (and let's you pause long enough when you need to think) is the only way I've found to get the kind of depth that I want and need.

I also thought back to when I was in high school and college, I recognized that I 'learned better' from videos and visual presentations. But as I grew in my knowledge I went more and more away from that. The video lacks the depth of communication of many things.

I do not believe that this is a 'visual generation' because people of all time learn in the same ways, sometimes it's best from visuals, sometimes it's best from speaking, sometimes it's best from written word. This is not unique to 'this generation', however what is unique to this generation, is our tendency to do whatever it takes to cater to their style, whether or not it works. I think this is due to our fears that our youth will fall away from our faith in Jesus Christ and we're willing to do anything to make them happy so as to not drive them away.

Should we use videos to attract our youth, or adults, to Christ? or should we use speaking (preaching) and the written word (Bible) and biblically-base books? Videos may draw them in and get their attention, but in the end do not teach them depth. All they get is spiritual milk, they do not get the meat. Do we want to build a generation without depth? They will only fall away when they are exposed to other teaching or whim of doctrine. They will get blown away by the wind.

We should use video sparingly, only where it conveys more information than can be conveyed by words (written or spoken). It may seem harder at first, but will help develop better thinking and reasoning skills.

Is it a visual generation? No


Let's build a generation who can think and has a depth to their faith. One who can defend their faith, not one who will abandon ship when the first storm comes along.

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