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Flip Charts
The ever popular flipchart is simply a large pad of newsprint paper hung on a display stand and used in conjunction with felt tip markers. At conferences, seminars, or group meetings the flip chart is used to record group conclusions or to register ideas on a subject or answers to a question. This visual representation of the views of those in the group helps everyone to develop their ideas or solutions to a problem or situation.
Before the meeting starts however, check that the markers are not dried up. Don't assume that someone else has done this for you as they always seem to fail you when you need them most! A development of the flipchart type of approach was introduced some years ago as sketch board technique.
Sketch boards
A large sheet or pad of newsprint paper is fixed to a board and the evangelist prepares a box of five or six small pots of ready-mixed poster paints and some brushes. The bright fluorescent colors will produce a very pleasing effect when used in the open air. The evangelist sets up his board and easel for the maximum visible effect on a busy street corner or market place.
A passersby pauses inquisitively as he opens up his box of paints and takes out some one and two inch domestic paint brushes. All is ready, and a small group has gathered so he begins.... "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen." Scrolling out a blue border, a kind of picture frame appears for his work. Taking the red brush he embellishes the corners with a crimson blob. All the time he is talking.
Excuses, Excuses
"Therefore people make all kinds of excuses -excuses." At this point, he has already drawn out a ladder-like frame across the top of the board. The swollen crowd presses forward to see what he is doing. Silence settles and then a gasp as suddenly letters begin to appear. Two strokes of the brush and a letter C comes into sight. Another deft cut and there is a letter U. So he completes the word.
"not going to school, not going to the dentist and not leaving the party early. Some find excuses for not believing in...." Meanwhile, a green hill and the outline of a cloud above it appear. More words pour out, this time in ordinary writing. "I'M TOO" then more ladder lettering. "Some people race through life thinking only of their own pleasure, they are fun-seekers.... " The word "FUN" comes into sight to the right of the ladder.
Words Appear
Then the letters mysteriously begin again! "One excuse for not trusting in God is "I'm too Y...0...U...N...G." Perhaps later," they say. "Perhaps when I'm older." The preacher dwells for a moment on the mistake of not accepting Jesus Christ into one's life.
"There are other excuses too. "I'm so involved in business, making a living, supporting my family. I don't have time for God." "Have you ever thought where your life is taking you?" There is only one certainty in life and that is...... A black coffin is painted then four spaces in a ladder frame. L...A...T...E...
Finally the artist turns with brush in hand to tell of the man who came to die on a hill at Calvary all those years ago. "This Jesus. the Son of God, invites you to come to Him. right now. He will hear no excuses, He wants to be your friend and Savior."
He spins around and draws three crosses on a green hill. "He loves you this much!" A nervous few have pushed their way out of the crowd. Others listen as a prayer is spoken. "Amen."
Gospel Presentation
In only five short minutes, the Gospel had been communicated in a clear, interesting, and appealing manner to a small but personal group of people in a busy part of a large city.
The sketch board has done its work. In other situations, sketch board is equally useful. I have used this same technique in family services in a large church, to holidaymakers enjoying the sun in the open air and with a groups of teenagers at Christian Discos. The key to success is practice.
The sketch board lettering techniques can be used not only with paint but also with color felt tip pens. These are a little cleaner than wet paint which does tend to run on the board and can easily end up either on the floor or on your clothes! There are potential problems but the single biggest advantage of ladder lettering is its visibility.
Even in a large church, four or five inch high words can easily be seen a hundred feet or more away. If you are a little nervous of painting try drawing out the lines faintly in pencil beforehand as a guide. A small pendant microphone hung around the neck is a great asset too, as it will enable you to partly turn your back on your audience and still be able to be heard.
"I'm too Y...0...U...N...G."
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