At the flip of a switch, local missionaries can share “live” from overseas, a soloist can sing “God of Wonders” in front of a space backdrop and — should you desire — your hymnal can stay safely tucked in the pew rack.
It’s not just convenience, it’s communication, said Doug Rogers, communications coordinator for the Alabama State Board of Missions.
“Video enables us to communicate to today’s world in today’s language,” Rogers said. “We as Christians have a strong responsibility to use the tools God gave us through technology to reach others.”
One way to do this is through storytelling — using videos for sermon illustrations, musical backdrops and missions moments.
“We’re following Christ’s examples of using stories,” Rogers said. “Even just a simple video presentation can make a difference. When you commit to a video ministry, you really need to integrate it into your overall worship plan.”
Getting started
- When preparing to purchase a video system for a church’s media ministry, there are three factors to consider, said Lane Sutherland, general manager of Sutherland Sight and Sound in Sheffield.
- Decide what result you want your end product to achieve.
“Different types of video production will require different types of equipment,” Sutherland said. “For example, if you have a live video broadcast going out on satellite, you will need a tie-in to a cable. If you are sending an edited recording to a low-resolution television station, you won’t need high-resolution cameras.”
- Plan ahead before talking to a video company, he said. It will save you money and ensure you accommodate the ministry you want.
- Know your budget.
Though prices can be flexible, a church’s budget — both present and future allotments — is an absolute determining factor, he noted.
- Identify your staff.
“Ask yourself, ‘How many people do we have that are qualified who can do this?’ If you need a five-person staff to run a particular system and you only have five qualified, that’s not enough,” Sutherland said. “That allows no room for someone to be sick or on vacation.”
Motorized remote cameras run by one technician in a booth is a possibility for those low in staff but with flexible budget, he said. The degree to which a church needs its technical staff to be trained is also determined by the magnitude of the production, he noted.
“With a video shot that’s going live on satellite or live on the big screen, you only have one shot,” he said.
Share with others: