Props and Sermons

The Use of Props in Sermons

For years I have seen examples of the excessive use of props in sermons. The worst examples usually go hand in hand with services that look more like a Hollywood production than the gathering of God’s people to worship, serve, and for mutual edification. For certain reasons, the subject is getting attention once again.

While mega churches get most of the criticism, a church of any size can begin to rely on spectacle rather than the Spirit. It could be argued that the candles, robes, and paraphernalia of the Roman Catholics and others are props just as much as a pastor floating in on cables or driving a Harley Davidson up to the pulpit.

I believe there is a Biblical model for preaching. There is a Biblical model for both our hermeneutic and our homiletics. But what about props? Here are a few thoughts.

Props in Modern Preaching

The Biblical use of objects in sermons cannot be denied. The questions I think we need to ask focus on appropriateness, effectiveness, and frequency.

First, just because an Old Testament prophet used a prop it does not give permission for us to do the same. The examples often cited from the Old Testament are a part of the Bible record and are memorable thousands of years later, partly, because they were infrequent. Certainly they are memorable because they were God ordained. I don’t think I’ll ever be convinced that driving a Corvette onto a platform is of the Lord. But, who am I to judge.

It must be noted, that such practices were not normal among the prophets. Most just preached. Something many today seem to feel is insufficient.

We can acknowledge the use of “props” in the Bible without having to accept just anything and everything today.

Again, just because God commanded a prophet to do something does not automatically mean we should do the same.

Second, We rarely, if ever, see such extreme props in New Testament preaching. Jesus pointed to various objects already present, He did not hire a camel and ride into Jerusalem with bling trying to awe the crowds. In fact, He did the opposite.

Are miracles “props”? Some could argue they were. However, even miracles were more rare as the New Testament progresses than most would accept. Miracles were signs. The purpose of miracles was to authenticate the message. Once the message was given, the message itself became the focus. I don’t need a miracle to prove the Bible, the Bible as applied by the Holy Spirit proves itself.

Third, an illustration is not a prop. Pointing to a farmer in his field or holding up a coin are not props in the same way as driving an expensive car onto a stage, pyrotechnics, or much of what is used and claimed to be the same.

Fourth, it is curious when a bunch of mega-pastors all use the same props around the same time. Granted, they may have shared ideas or seen each other do it. But there is evidence that some just download their messages and ideas from the same place. In the worst cases they’re not even preaching their own sermon, let alone coming up with their own prop ideas.

Is it Ever Ok to Use Props?

I believe, on occasion, a prop can be useful and helpful. But how they are used and what they are is where we need some kind of guidance.

I cannot lay down guidelines for others, but here are principles I believe are both Scriptural and practical for myself.

In no particular order:

Guidelines for Using Props in Preaching

The Prop Should Be Proportionate
I know this is somewhat subjective, because these are guidelines rather than laws. By “proportionate,” I mean that the prop should be appropriate to the message and the setting. We should consider the cost, the preparation required, the amount of time it takes, and the reaction it is likely to produce. A prop should be worth what it costs in time, money, preparation, and attention to use it.
The Prop Should Enhance, Not Eclipse
The prop should enhance the message, not replace it. The prop should not be more memorable than the point being made. The message should be more memorable than the prop. This is the same principle that applies to sermon illustrations. If an illustration overwhelms or distracts from the biblical point being made, then the illustration has failed. The same is true of a prop. The congregation should leave remembering what the Scripture taught, not merely what the preacher did.
The Prop Should Illustrate, Not Entertain
A prop should serve a purpose, not become a spectacle. There is a difference between capturing attention and entertaining an audience. The goal is not to make the congregation wonder, “What is he going to do next?” The goal is to make them see the truth of God’s Word more clearly.
The Prop Should Promote Decency and Order
A prop should never compromise biblical standards of modesty, propriety, or order. The fact that God commanded a prophet to do something does not mean that a preacher is obligated to reproduce the action literally. I concede, that in churches where the pastor already looks like he’s been mauled by a bear and then electrocuted this point is already lost.
The Prop Should Point to Scripture, Not the Speaker
The purpose of a biblical object lesson is to direct attention to God’s truth, not to the preacher’s creativity. The preacher should not become the object lesson. If people leave talking primarily about the preacher, the prop, or the performance rather than the Scripture, something has gone wrong. The best prop ultimately gets out of the way and points people back to the Word of God.

Conclusion

When I look back over church history, the most powerful servants of God did not need props on a regular basis, if ever.

The men and women of God who have served their local church or been instrumental in changing nations, such as George Whitfield, simply preached the Word.

God’s Word is sufficient. At times a prop or object lesson will help. VBS and special events have their place, but when the regular meeting of God’s people needs to be a circus, then something has gone terribly wrong.

When God’s man preaches God’s Word in the power of God’s Holy Spirit then God will work, God will be remembered, God will be glorified, and God’s people will be helped.