How to Host a Virtual Church Service
Hosting virtual events don't have to be stressful and complicated. In fact, you can have a simple yet successful virtual church service by following these easy steps.
1. Choose a platform:
There are a multitude of amazing platforms that are very cost-effective. Here are few notable and quality platforms that will ensure a quality virtual church service
- Facebook and YouTube: Free and easy to use. Many people already have easy access to both sites and are familiar with the platform. While both Facebook and YouTube allow seamless streaming, aside from a chat feature, they lack a sense of community.
- The Church Online Platform: Designed specifically for churches, Church Online allows attendees to engage and connect with their church community. If you choose this platform, you may have to invest in Zoom to allow your members to have small group meetings to connect. Church Online is a limited service and only allows one event at a time and can only host services.
- Altar Live: Altar offers even more features. It not only takes the best of Facebook, Youtube, Church Online, and Zoom, but allows you to run unlimited and concurrent events. With Altar Live, you can engage with people via chat, polls, Q&A, virtual tables, and video conference watch parties. You not only can host online church service, but also small groups, events, and meetings for your church. Anyone can use Altar Live and feel a part of a church community.
2. Decide on live streaming equipment:
There are many different options when it comes to choosing equipment for your virtual church service. Cameras are essential, whether it be the built-in one in your computer or something more high-tech. In another blog, we talked about all the different cameras you can use for your virtual church service.
3. Invite the community:
Using Altar Live’s email templates, you can easily invite your whole church community to your virtual church service. It might be helpful to let your community know there might be some technical difficulties and to ask for patience. Do not worry about getting everything perfect on the first try, virtual events are always a learning curve.
4. Test out the equipment:
Once everything is scheduled, you may want to test everything out and have a practice run before hosting your virtual church service. That way you will have a better idea about the flow of the platform and your service!
5. Host the Service:
Now it’s time to host a service! If you need anymore tips, check out this going live checklist.
