Getting live content online; to remain connected with those in isolation, is more important than ever. Fortunately, it’s easier than you may think, and more and more churches are experimenting with live, or semi-live broadcasts.
It may seem a contradiction in terms, but even without wifi, it is possible to pre-record and distribute a ‘live’ video of your church service, prayer group, or messages from your church leadership, using only some very basic tools.
Here’s how:
Learn more: click here for our new Livestreaming hub page
Examples from Lockdown:
Great turn out for our first Pajama prayer- 10 mins every morning Monday- Thursday. Live on zoom and Instagram. All welcome to join whatever you believe- wherever you are in the world! @GlosDioc @churchofengland https://t.co/RIWTjyZNb2
— Sarah McDonald Haden (@sarahfmcdonald) March 18, 2020
We are calling on schools across the UK to join our #hymnflashmob: virtual musical gifts with messages of support for the isolated, ill, elderly, or lonely.
Record your favourite hymn or ‘Will your anchor hold?’ & use the hashtag.
Here is @StPaulsCathSch to kick us off! pic.twitter.com/b8LG48GKBv
— St Paul’s Cathedral (@StPaulsLondon) March 17, 2020
We’re now live streaming Morning Prayer at 9am and Night Prayer at 9pm via Facebook. https://t.co/U8Vpk7EcJH You can also watch and pray along afterwards by visiting our new online services page: https://t.co/QxCitZzTtb pic.twitter.com/KZSJZgjUjM
— Pipandjims (@pipandjims) March 17, 2020
Getting live content online; to remain connected with those in isolation, is more important than ever. Fortunately, it’s easier than you may think.
Read more here >> https://t.co/6pwr1dqeiY#digitalchurch pic.twitter.com/AwnjVCvITQ
— The Diocese of Gloucester (@GlosDioc) March 17, 2020
Connection in a time of isolation. @Rev_David_G shows us how it’s done: https://t.co/Fe1wXRktzi
— The Diocese of Gloucester (@GlosDioc) March 17, 2020
We will be sharing worship virtually on Sunday. Details on our website and Facebook pages. https://t.co/lmULRoCxgq
— Peter Callway (@petercallway) March 17, 2020
Given today’s update from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, we have a range of webinars available to help you reach your community.
Learn more about live streaming, social media and innovative ways to reach people remotely.
Sign up for free: https://t.co/ilJglTSeZF
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) March 17, 2020
If you’re looking to step up your digital offering over the coming weeks, have a look at our @churchofengland Labs Learning blogs, which offer help and advice for churches on a range of digital platforms and tools.
What could you try this week?https://t.co/swuT0bRiEv
— Amaris Cole (@AmarisCole) March 17, 2020
Give it a go – a quick tutorial on livestreaming
Further information:
If you do have wifi in your church building and will be sharing services live ~
- Post about it on Facebook first – give people at least a few hours notice that you will be sharing live content from your church;
- If possible, use a tripod and external microphone to improve video/audio quality;
- Research suggests that around 20 minutes for a live video is the ideal duration, so don’t feel you need to record everything;
- Have someone spare on hand to interact with comments that may arise during or after the broadcast;
- Mistakes happen – a live broadcast will not be perfect, this is ok.
If you do not have wifi in your church building ~
- As the video above suggests, record a ‘live’ session anyway – you’ll only need a feeble data signal on your phone for this to work;
- If possible, use a tripod and external microphone to improve video/audio quality;
- Research suggests that around 20 minutes for a live video is the ideal duration, so don’t feel you need to record everything;
- Once filmed, share the ‘live’ video once you are back in reach of wifi;
- Mistakes happen – a live broadcast will not be perfect, this is ok.
Read more
Example: St John the Baptist, Cirencester
CofE website: how to live-share on Youtube, Instagram etc
CofE website: further detail on live broadcasts
Music
Worship songs or hymns over 70 years old will not need licensing for broadcast online as they are out of copyright. For more recent music, a PRS licence will cover you for broadcasting any PRS worship song over Facebook. Please check with any performers that they are happy for you to broadcast their performance. If you do not have this sort of licence, or are unsure, you could always focus on the non-musical parts of the service – perhaps start with a sermon or short video message rather than trying to record a whole service.
News Hub
