Sacred Visuals: How Media Shapes Congregational Worship with John Green

Show Notes

Join us in this episode of Conversation with Ministry Leaders, as we talk with worship pastor John Green from Riverland Hills in Columbia, South Carolina. He shares essential insights for worship leaders, with a focus on “sacred visuals” or liturgical elements.

John works at his church, leading choir, orchestra, and congregation during weekly gatherings. He dives into some of his workshop on liturgy and theology in worship services.

Throughout the conversation, John emphasizes how visual media supports clear messaging. Additionally, he discusses how screens help worship leaders communicate more effectively through body language and facial expressions. Moreover, he highlights the importance of visual elements being congruent with the message.

Next, John explores his creative team’s approach to worship design. Specifically, he explains how they make ancient texts feel alive and relevant through font choices, camera angles, and lighting. Furthermore, he outlines his three-part workshop framework.

First, he covers “ruts of righteousness” – valuable traditions practiced for centuries. Second, he addresses “holy habits” that extend beyond Sunday mornings. Finally, he discusses “changing lanes” – how to shepherd congregations through worship transitions.

Most importantly, John observes an encouraging trend among emerging worship leaders. Specifically, they’re seeking ancient, concrete practices that provide stability in rapidly changing times. Consequently, these leaders want something deeper than musical frills – they desire tried-and-true traditions rooted in scripture.

Overall, he offers practical wisdom for worship leaders seeking to blend ancient practices with modern presentation. Whether you’re planning services or leading creative teams, John’s insights will help you create meaningful worship experiences that honor both tradition and contemporary communication needs.

FOLLOW

Want to stay connected with our show host Carl and his guests? You can find them on social media. Check out what they are doing in their ministries, see what they are working on and drop them an encouraging post.

Follow: Carl Barnhill | [email protected] |  

Follow: John Green | Riverland Hills