During COVID, in the space of a few weeks, thousands of churches suddenly found themselves unable to meet in person and forced to look for other solutions. At this point, most churches are back to meeting in person, a few are still fully online, and many have decided to do both. If your church has decided to continue broadcasting online worship services, it may be time to re-evaluate your processes and think about what’s next.
Churches can broadcast online worship services primarily through two methods: pre-recording or live-streaming. Pre-recording involves capturing the service beforehand and uploading it to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Vimeo, while live-streaming broadcasts in real-time to similar destinations. For example, Lexington Community Church successfully transitioned to pre-recorded services using a simple setup including an iPhone, tripod, microphone, and software like Audacity and Open Shot. This approach allowed them to connect 8 to 30 people in Zoom calls for adult Sunday School and fellowship.
To start with, there are two ways to broadcast an online worship service. You can either pre-record your service, or you can live stream it. Here is a quick breakdown of the equipment you’ll likely need for each.
What Equipment is Needed for Pre-Recording Online Worship Services?
- For pre-recording online worship services, you will primarily need a video input device like a smartphone, camcorder, or webcam, and a platform to upload your video, such as YouTube, Facebook, or Vimeo. Optional but recommended items include a tripod for stability and video editing software for overlays or broadcasting. These components allow you to capture and share your service effectively.
What Equipment is Needed for Live-Streaming Online Worship Services?
- For live-streaming online worship services, you typically need a video input device such as a webcam, connected to a laptop or computer. If not using a webcam, a video capture card is necessary. You'll also need a platform like YouTube, Facebook, or Vimeo to stream, along with live-streaming or broadcasting software. These tools enable real-time broadcasting of your service.
Today and in our next blog post we’re going to be looking at how other churches have adjusted to the new online church service norm, and learn from their mistakes and successes. Let’s start with Rev. Andrew Gerber, from Lexington Community Church.
How Did Lexington Community Church Implement Pre-Recorded Online Services?
Lexington Community Church (LCC) had exactly five days to transition from in-person church services to fully online worship. They had no equipment, no processes, and no previous skills. They decided to start with pre-recorded services.
LCC began with an iPhone on a tripod along with a microphone hooked up to a computer (using Audacity for the audio). They recorded the sound and video separately, and pulled them together later using Open Shot, a video editing software. Their simple and efficient setup meant that they only had to buy microphones.
Eventually, they added a Zoom package to their setup and began using it for adult Sunday School classes on Sunday mornings and a fellowship call on Wednesday nights. On any given call, usually anywhere from 8 to 30 people were in attendance. These calls connected their church in a way that was difficult to facilitate over a recording. LCC also stayed in touch through emails and newsletters.
What's Coming Next in Our Online Worship Services Series?
Next week, our series on online worship services will continue by exploring how two more churches adapted to the online transition, followed by a concluding discussion on the implications for your church. For immediate insights, you can access our free webinar on online worship services now.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1 What are the primary methods for broadcasting online worship services?
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Churches can broadcast online worship services through two main methods: pre-recording or live-streaming. Pre-recording involves capturing the service beforehand and uploading it, while live-streaming broadcasts the service in real-time. Both options require different equipment and processes.
- 2 What basic equipment is required for pre-recording online worship services?
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For pre-recording, you'll generally need a video input device such as a smartphone, camcorder, or webcam. You'll also need a platform to upload your video, like YouTube, Facebook, or Vimeo. Optional additions include a tripod for stability and video editing software for overlays or combining audio/video.
- 3 What equipment is typically needed for live-streaming online worship services?
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Live-streaming usually requires a webcam or another video input device connected to a laptop or computer. A video capture card is necessary if you're not using a webcam. You'll also need a platform like YouTube, Facebook, or Vimeo to stream, along with live-streaming or broadcasting software.
- 4 How did Lexington Community Church (LCC) manage their transition to pre-recorded online services?
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LCC initially used an iPhone on a tripod with a microphone connected to a computer for audio (Audacity) and Open Shot for video editing. They recorded audio and video separately before combining them. To maintain community, they later integrated Zoom for adult Sunday School and fellowship calls.
