Look Up!

Brad Hillier from Bay Life Church in Brandon, FL brings us this stage design that points the eyes upward.

This sermon series set was part of their “Rise Up” debt-reduction campaign. It incorporated several extra elements that came into play as the series progressed and helped them reinforce a number of sermon action steps. They spent around $1500 to create the whole thing, but they recycled so many things that it’s difficult to put a real number on it. The professional printing and the rentals were the bulk of the cost.

For the backdrop design, the team was inspired by an Israel Houghton video and the need to push the visual attention to the center of the stage and video screen. They used metal stud framing and blue painted Coroplast for the accordion-folded backdrop and lit it with par cans. The round pieces on the truss were just zip-tied on and were an adhesive print, mounted on foamcore. They rented chain motors so that they could move the aluminum truss up and down. They incorporated a tiered shelf for roses, easels to display large vinyl banners and a special vinyl adhesive fingerprint (an element of our logo) on plexiglass for a coin depository – used in their kids ministry participation element during their pledge service.

One of the special action steps that the set supported was a full-congregation activity. They professionally printed large banners and had their people press their fingerprints and sign their names on the banners. Once everyone had submitted their pledge card and participated in the banner activity, the banners were attached to the lowered truss and then raised as they reached the climax of the campaign theme song.

Finally, in their weekly services, they take a rose to the platform for every decision for Christ. To represent these decisions, they had a procession during the pledge service and placed 950 roses on stage. They made a tiered shelf for the roses to create an emotionally significant display of all of the roses recorded since their church opened.

Creating Impactful Sermon Series Stage Designs

This innovative stage design from Bay Life Church demonstrates how visual elements can reinforce sermon themes and create meaningful congregational participation. The “Look Up!” design goes beyond simple decoration to become an integral part of the worship experience, supporting the church’s “Rise Up” debt-reduction campaign through thoughtful symbolism and interactive elements.

The accordion-folded Coroplast backdrop serves multiple purposes in this design. Its geometric pattern draws the eye naturally toward the center of the stage where the video screen displays sermon content. The blue color creates a sense of calm and trustworthiness—essential emotions when discussing financial stewardship and sacrificial giving. When illuminated by par can lighting, the folded surfaces create interesting shadows and highlights that add depth without distracting from the message.

The moving truss system represents one of the most dynamic elements of this stage design. By renting chain motors, the team created a kinetic element that literally brought the congregation’s commitments to new heights. This physical manifestation of “rising up” provided a powerful visual metaphor during the climax of their campaign. The ability to lower and raise elements also offers flexibility for different service elements—something static stage designs cannot achieve.

The fingerprint and rose elements demonstrate how stage design can incorporate congregational participation in meaningful ways. Rather than simply observing, church members became part of the visual story through their signed banners and the procession of 950 roses representing lives changed by Christ. These elements transformed the stage from a platform for performers into a canvas displaying the church’s collective faith journey.

For churches planning sermon series with specific themes, this design offers valuable lessons about integration. Every element—from the color choices to the interactive components—supported the central message. The investment in professional printing and rental equipment was justified by the campaign’s importance and the design’s ability to engage the congregation at a deeper level than traditional stage backdrops.

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Pro Tips for Interactive Stage Designs

Plan for Congregational Participation: The most memorable stage designs invite the congregation to become part of the visual story. Bay Life Church’s fingerprint banners and rose procession created emotional connections that pure aesthetics cannot achieve. When planning your design, consider how church members can contribute—whether through written prayers, artistic elements, or physical objects that represent their spiritual journey.

Invest in Movement and Flexibility: Static backdrops serve their purpose, but kinetic elements add drama and flexibility. The rented chain motors in this design allowed the truss to move, creating a climactic moment when banners were raised. Even simple movement—rotating panels, adjustable lighting positions, or removable elements—keeps the visual environment fresh throughout a multi-week series.

Use Professional Printing Strategically: While budget constraints are real, certain elements benefit from professional execution. The vinyl banners and adhesive prints in this design needed to withstand handling by hundreds of congregation members while maintaining visual quality. Identify which elements will receive close scrutiny or frequent interaction and allocate budget accordingly.

Create Symbolic Visual Metaphors: Effective sermon series designs translate abstract concepts into tangible visuals. The “rising” truss, the accumulating roses, and the collective fingerprints all reinforced the campaign theme in ways that words alone could not. Work with your pastoral team to identify key metaphors in your message series and explore how they can be visualized on stage.

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