A couple of years ago Rick Warren’s Ministry Toolbox asked me to write an article about using visual art in worship services. Here is an updated version of that article…

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If one has ever questioned the need of visual art in worship, all he or she needs to do is consider the priority our Creator placed on creativity and beauty.[/perfectpullquote]

Mandate

If one has ever questioned the need of visual art as a part of worship, all he or she needs to do is consider the priority our Creator placed on creativity and beauty when He made this universe and more specifically our world. His wonderful creation is awe-inspiring and breathe-taking! Obviously, God’s creative handiwork is intentional. Look at the diversity and colors of animals, the sky with clouds and constellations, and even flowers and plants. God purposefully made what we see around and above us to be more than just functional. God designed everything, including all of nature, so that it would point us back to Him.

No doubt that is what the shepherd, David, realized as he lay on a hillside night after night staring up at the stars. David recognized the profound purpose of those twinkling lights shining down on him. What he saw inspired him to worship. That’s why he opened the 19th Psalm with these words, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”

God’s priority on the visual is not just evident in His creation. Throughout Scripture there are certain worship experiences with stunning visual effects to enhance the experience. For example, in Isaiah 6, Isaiah saw the Lord. From that vision, he was able to write about the Lord being high and lifted up and the train of His robe filling the temple. And think about the service in Revelation 4 and 5: In John’s description of that great, yet-to-be worship service in heaven, the aspects most impacting and significant were not those he heard, but rather those he saw. John saw the occupied throne in heaven. John saw the elders and living creatures. More importantly, John saw the Lamb of God, looking as if He had been slain. John was drawn into that unfathomable moment, and he was brought to his knees in worship because of what he was privileged to see. This is the powerful effect of the visual when it comes to worship services. Visual art can appeal to our senses and move our souls.

Throughout church history art has been used to draw people closer to Christ and reveal His glory. In early times, drawings, paintings, and even stained glass windows were used to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to those who were illiterate. Churches often designed their buildings in such a way that those who entered would feel as though they were in a holy place and different world. Columns and arches were meant to point to the heavens so that one’s full attention could be directed toward God and His beauty.

Motivation

John Piper wrote, “If you are God, your work is to create out of nothing. If you are not God, but like God–that is, if you are human–your work is to take what God has made and shape it and use it to make Him look great.” Our greatest and most important reason for anything we do in corporate worship should be to glorify the Lord. And what better way to make Him “look great” than through art that people can see?

Scripture indicates that people without Christ can be drawn to Him through seeing His attributes in nature. Because of this, Romans 1:20...