How to Create an Event (or Service)
In Altar Live, you create events through the event creation process.
One-time events have their own unique URL link. When the event ends, people are not redirected to another event and if someone clicks on a link after the event has ended, they will see an "Event Ended" screen. To create a one-time event, set the recurrence to Do Not Repeat.
Recurring events belonging to a recurring series can each be individually edited and customized, but will all share the same URL. If you want to use the same URL for a certain type of event (i.e. weekly Sunday service, morning Bible study, etc.), you will want to create a recurring event series. Learn more about how to set up recurring events.
Step 1: Navigate to app.altarlive.com and log in to your account.
Step 2: Click on the Create an Event button from the Dashboard OR Click the Add New Event button on the "Events and Meetings" page
Step 1: Enter the event name and description into the appropriate fields.
Step 2: Add a preview image for your event by clicking on the image icon on the right side of the page.
Step 3: Select the date and start and end time of the event. Learn more about event timing.
Event start time: This start time will be displayed on the event details when you share the event with others. This is the actual start time of your live stream feed. Your feed will automatically start when the countdown timer hits 00:00.
Event end time: This end time will be displayed on the event details when you share the event with others. This is the approximate end time of when you will close the event and lobby for all guests. The event will not automatically end. The event will stay active until a Host clicks End Event for All.
Note: The event will be created in the time zone of the community, and will automatically update to display in the time zone of individual members according to the time zone they selected in their profile preference.
You can also decide if you want this to be a recurring event. Click the dropdown to select when this event will repeat
Step 4. Choose when to enable Chat. We love our hospitality teams and are always looking for ways to improve our host privileges. When you are creating an event or meeting, there is now a checkbox to choose whether you want to allow users to be able to chat up until an hour before the event begins or not.
Step 5. Choose the default state of the attendees' camera/mic when they join the Event. If you want more control over your attendees' camera and microphone options when they first take a seat, check under General Details! When creating an Event, on the General Details step you now have the option to select whether a user's camera or microphone is defaulted off or on when taking a seat for the first time.
The hospitality team can manage the event while it's ongoing. Learn more about the role of the hospitality team.
Step 1: Click the Add Member button.
Step 2: Add members to be Hosts/Greeters by clicking on their name, then click Select.
Note: You can only add people to the hospitality team for the event who are already members of the community and had Accepted status.
Step 3: Select one or more members to be a Host by clicking on the checkbox near the name. You can also edit title of the user that is shown durring the event (the default is Greeter).
Note: You can remove a member from your Hospitality Team by clicking on the trash bin near the checkbox.
Step 4: Specify the Greeting Message.
Note: The greeting message you create will be automatically sent to all users who join the event, both anonymous and logged-in members. If you don't add anyone to the Hospitality team, no greeting message will be created.
On the Who Can Join step you can choose those who can join:
You can connect your stream feed from a video player or stream provider. Learn more about how to connect your stream feed.
Step 1: On the Stream step, select whether your video is live or pre-recorded. Based on your choice, you will see different stream provider options.
Step 2: Select your stream provider and paste in your URL.
You can add images and videos that will be shown as rotating slides to people before the event begins. Learn more about how to use pre-event slides.
For a pre-event video
Step 1: Select "Video"
Step 2: Either paste the video URL into the field or upload your own video.
For pre-event images
Step 1: Select "Images"
Step 2: the transition time between slides.
Step 3: Upload images from your computer.
Step 4: Re-arrange images by dragging and dropping.
At this screen, you can create or select template polls and announcements to be published during your event. You can schedule an exact time for the interaction to be published, or set it to be sent out manually by a member of your hospitality team. You can find out more about Interactions and scheduling them here.
You can select how many rows, tables, and rooms you want to enable in your Event. Rooms function as breakout video conference sessions inside the Lobby. Tables are limited to 4 people, but Rooms can hold up to 500 participants. Each Room can be named and given a description. There is no limit to the number of Rooms you can add.
Step 1: On the Set Up Your Space step, you can use the toggles to determine how you want to set up your Event space. At least one of these options must be selected:
Step 2: Add the desired number of rows and tables in their respective fields as needed.
Step 3: If you've toggled the Lobby with Rooms option, add as many rooms as you need. Then, choose how many people can join the room (i.e. 2, 20, 50, etc. participants)
Note: If you select Lobby with Rooms and do not add a room, the Lobby will not contain any rooms.
You can customize where your event begins and ends - perfect for a pre-service lobby or connecting an archive. To learn more about event beginning and ending, check out this support article.
Step 1: Select where the the event will begin - either in the Auditorium (default), Lobby, or a Room.
Step 2: Select where users will be sent when the exit button is pressed - your Community Landing Page (default), or a custom link.
Once an event is published, it is visible to all members of the community, and the shareable link for the event is generated.
Publish Event: Click on Publish if you want to publish the event. All the participants will see the event published on the Events Meetings screen.
Events in the draft state are only visible to other admins in the community. A shareable link to the event won't be generated until the event is published.
Save as Draft: You can Save it as Draft the event at any step of the creation in case you want to have it and not to show anyone.
You can edit an event in both the Draft and Published states. Admins can also edit Ongoing events. Users need to click refresh or be moved between Event and Lobby to see changes made to an Ongoing event.
Step 1: To edit an event, click on the Edit button on the card.
Step 2: Click Save Changes and the changes that have been made will be saved.
You can remove Draft or Published events, as well as past, ongoing, and future events.
Deleting an Event: Click Delete and the event will be deleted. It will disappear from the “Events & Meetings” screen.
There is no limit to the number of people who can join your event. If you have enabled automatic upgrade, as more people join your event than you have the capacity for on your member tier, you will simply be upgraded to the next tier. No one will be blocked.
Ready to use Altar Live for your own event? Check out: How To Run a Church Conference Online!
Learn how to set up your community, create events and meetings, and other admin features.
Learn how to set up your community, create events and meetings, and other admin features.
Learn how to set up your community, create events and meetings, and other admin features.
Online events that feel just like being in-person.
