Technology’s Role in the Place of Worship
There is a new way for us to commune; may it be rain or shine, in sickness or in health. Streaming Sunday church service became normal and necessary during the COVID-19 crisis, but the trend has stuck.
With recent technology advancements, churchgoers are now choosing to connect with their place of worship from the comfort of their own homes. Church video streaming services are now part of modern worship for many congregations. But is it right for your congregation? And if so, how do you get started?
Is a Church Video Streaming Service Right for you and your Church?
Before jumping in, consider the feelings of your congregation and staff when deciding if your church could benefit from a church video streaming service. Is your pastor/priest comfortable being filmed? What about the choir and other church workers? Not every churchgoer feels comfortable with the idea of online church viewing, so it is something to discuss with them and gauge how popular the service will be.
Upgrading your Church: Necessary Elements for a Church Video Streaming Service
There are three essential elements for a successful church video streaming service–visual, audio, and connectivity.
#1: Visual
The visual component involves choosing the right camera and having the proper lighting for your space.
Cameras: Webcams are an inexpensive yet convenient option for starting out, especially in a smaller space. Make sure that their positioning won’t physically block in-church members’ viewing of the service. Most video professionals use a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera for the high-quality image it produces. A camcorder is easy to use; however, it is important to choose one that has a proper Wi-Fi or HDMI connection to eliminate excess cables in the overall setup. Another popular choice is an action camera. There is a camera for every budget, so it is important to choose the right option for you and your church. Check out the best cameras for live streaming in 2022.
Lighting: A factor that is often overlooked but is one of the most essential for a proper visual setup system is lighting. A room that appears well-lit to the naked eye could be dim and difficult to watch when filmed even by the best quality camera.
A common lighting technique to employ is a three-point lighting system which involves using a backlight and two front lights turned at a 45-degree angle. This provides ease of viewing and can help eliminate shadows for your video display. Lighting will be necessary for all the areas that you wish to film, e.g., choir, pulpit, entrance, etc.
#2: Audio
One must ensure that the online audience can follow the sermon, choir, and all parts of the church service from beginning to end to truly feel connected. One or multiple wireless microphones can be connected to the camera via a main audio/video controller, often a laptop, to provide high-quality sound for the streaming service. The plus is that most larger churches already have comprehensive sound systems in place, including wireless microphones.
#3: Connectivity
A good church video streaming service requires the audio and video components to be set up and linked together through a computer or laptop. A proper setup will help avoid any lag or discordance between each individual part of the system.
Finally, the physical setup must be connected to an online streaming platform to deliver the church video streaming service to the homes of all potential home practitioners. There are many price options, from free to paying monthly for a streaming service. When first starting up, consider one of the free options like Facebook Live, which also records every church service and allows playback of old services at any time.
During a complimentary consultation, all of these essential elements for choosing the right church video stream service are discussed. We’ll also recommend the items needed to get started and that fit within your budget.
Getting Back Your Investment
There is an initial financial investment to be made when installing a proper church video streaming service system, but there can also be positive returns.
Here are a couple of ways to get positive returns on your church streaming service investment:
1. Give participants the ability to make their church offerings online. Do this by adding links to the live streaming service or on the church’s website.
This is particularly interesting; some churches reported a higher percentage of offerings online than they had in their physical collection. A new study shows that 50% of church donations are now made by credit card. In another study by Livestream, one church’s online donations increased by 70% after live streaming services began. Not every church can expect the same results, but digital payment methods give those who never carry cash an equal opportunity to give.
2. Grow the church community as a whole. Online church services spread the word to a wider audience.
3. Once a system has been installed, you can use it at any time and for any church event–including bible study, church meetings, or daily church services. Members of the congregation will then be able to participate in all of the community events, even from a distance.
Upgrading for Your Future
A church video streaming service can be a worthwhile investment for both the church and its congregation. If this is the solution for you, but you need some help getting started, Lifetronic offers technology solutions for your place of worship.
Lifetronic provides high-end, whole-home, smart automation for your personal or business needs. Contact us today to set up a free consultation on location at your religious organization. Lifetronic Systems specializes in providing entire security, audio, and visual technology packages for places of worship. We’ll analyze your place of worship and design a custom solution that addresses your unique needs.
