Jesus realized the power of telling stories when He taught and communicated with others. It was the best way in that day to communicate the eternal truth to small fishing villages and farm towns, sometimes even His own followers. When you talk to farmers about planting seeds, they instantly understand without the story teller having to give too much background. God used stories and metaphors through the prophets and the images weren't always pleasant or comfortable. His use of stories was always a means to an end, the end being the more intimate knowledge of the eternal and loving God.
Using illustrations is just as powerful today. We live in an entertainment driven culture, spending billions on movies, DVDs, theater, music, and other entertainment. If our culture is willing to spend so much money to watch visual stories (i.e. movies, etc.), then shouldn’t the church be investing in communicating this way?
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As a pastor or group leader, sermon illustrations bring to life the truth you are seeking to communicate. It's the same reason Jesus did it; to connect an audience with his message. We all know the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In video you have 30 pictures (or frames) a second. If the average clip you show a congregation lasts for two and a half minutes then you have just saved yourself 540,000 words.
Jesus created word pictures to draw His audience into His message. Now I know personally that I am nowhere near Christ in my ability to communicate, so I need all the help I can get. I would venture to say that you feel similarly. Jesus also said that we would accomplish greater things in ministry than He did while on earth. So, I encourage you to preach His message using whatever means are available to share the Gospel.
Why do we need videos in church?
Illustration videos can play an important role in your church or group, providing not only an excellent visual tool to help communicate a life-changing message, but to provoke thought, inspiration, and understanding, with an approach that’s entertaining.
It is fascinating how seamless videos can become in a sermon. A well placed video clip can express an idea that might take ten minutes of explanation in the space of two to three minutes. Not only have you saved time for the rest of your message but your congregation is completely engaged. The first rule of show business also offers insight for preaching and teaching: Leave your audience wanting more. What we endeavor to accomplish is much more important than just entertainment but I love the principle: if your audience wants more, then they will learn more. If they want to leave, then turn out the lights -- the show is over.
Think about how many times you have been frightened by a scary movie, almost purchased a piece of gym equipment from an infomercial, or sponsored a child for just 79 cents a day. Your responses mean that you were totally engaged, and that is the same effect video and multimedia can produce. I think Pastor Griffin Jones of Temple Baptist in Odessa, Texas says it best: “Since God has given us five senses, and some would even refer to a ‘sixth sense,’ it is incumbent on communicators of the Gospel to engage all of those senses in conveying the Message. That there are so many visual and audio stimuli around us in the media makes every individual aware of their presence, potential, power, and impact.”