The “Why” of Live Video – Part 1
Posted on October 14, 2009
Over the past several years, the use of video in a church setting has exploded. The use of video projection was common in the church by the early part of this decade. Most of that use was limited to outlines of sermons and the occasional movie clip or still illustration. Today, even the smallest of churches haul out a portable projector to project song lyrics and announcements on a screen, or in some cases, on a wall.
In the past few years, congregations in larger churches have suddenly been treated to (or assaulted with) the giant smiling face of the teaching pastor, and videos produced specifically to support that teaching. Other churches jumped to use video to extend the reach of their church, on broadcast or cable television, or on the Internet. They have installed broadcast quality cameras, state-of-the-art equipment in full video control rooms, and post production suites, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in technology.
Over time, the use of live video has pushed down to even relatively small fellowships, both as a teaching aid, and as a way to take their brand and message beyond the walls of the church. For the church considering taking video beyond simple lyrics and Powerpoint, or making a leap into the world of live video, it can be a confusing world.
But for most, the first step toward the use of live video in a worship context has nothing to do with technology. It starts with a conversation, and a question: “Why do we want to use live video?”
It sounds like a simple question, but it’s not as straightforward was it might seem. There are lots of reasons for using live video. Some are likely valid for your congregation. Some are not. Answering this “why” question first will make decisions about equipment and technology much easier down the road.
There are many reasons that congregations are drawn to live video. For those with large facilities, the use of Image Magnification, or IMAG helps to connect worship participants more directly to worship leaders. It allows them to see things that might otherwise be obscured due to sight lines, or simply distance.
IMAG is not for everyone. In a room where the distance from preacher to the most distant seat is 50 feet or less, there may not be any need for IMAG.
Further, doing IMAG well requires skill and effort, both from your technical team, and from the teaching pastor. It is used most effectively in conjunction with supporting images and video. Take a look at a television newscast. You don’t see the anchor simply reading for very long. Simply placing the image of the speaker on the screen for an entire sermon may not be the best use of your video system.
Another valid reason for the use of live video in worship is to leverage existing teaching and worship leadership resources. Video allows a teaching pastor to be in more than one venue, and to teach at multiple services over the course of a weekend without killing the teacher!
For those pushing video beyond the walls of the church via the Internet, cable or broadcast television, there is no denying it’s potential power in extending the church’s reach. It can be a powerful tool for evangelism, and for growing a church. It is important to remember, however, that that power can cut both ways. Done poorly, a broadcast can do great damage to what might be a great church.
The church contemplating a broadcast ministry must also remember to count all the costs. A broadcast outreach can quickly become a tail that wags the worship dog. Ego issues can surface. It’s also important to think through how, or if, you will provide pastoral services to people who connect with your church via a broadcast. What happens when they call from the hospital, or request a pastor for counseling, or a funeral?
One huge benefit of having a broadcast or Internet outreach via video is the preservation of connection with older members of your congregation. There comes a time for many folks where they simply are physically unable to attend their church. A service delivered via television or the Internet can be a huge comfort to those members, allowing them to continue worshipping with their existing church family.
Perhaps the most powerful use of video in worship, however, has nothing to do with broadcasting, or with IMAG. It is simply the use of the video medium in telling stories. More on that next time!
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Tags: broadcast, cable, projection, video
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8 Responses to “The “Why” of Live Video – Part 1”
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Very nice post, Kirk. I’m working through possibly streaming our church services in the future, so I’m facing some of these same issues.
Agreed with Chase – nice intro and I’m looking to see where this series goes.
As a thought, what’s your opinion on using security cameras to capture different angles and therefore reducing teh cost of camera outlay and having to find multiple, capable volunteers?
I’ve seen a lot of churches try using security cameras, but I’ve never seen it work well. There are high quality camera heads that can be used with remote PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) heads, but the cameras that are “security” grade really aren’t high enough resolution to work for live video.
Ah ok. It may be that I’ve seen high quality PTZ heads and presumed them to be from the security arena.
I find myself tearing my hair out trying to show the good “Why’s” to Live Video. But no answer can beat down the question: how much?
Small churches like mine concentrate on speakers, monitors and sound desks, cos Audio is what they are familiar with. Video is a radical move that puts you in unknown and uncontrollable territory – taking the faith of putting your trust in the hands of a volunteer/champion that has not always been a part of the inner core of the tech team – Audio team.
Nothing wrong with Audio – Great Video is pathetic without Great Audio.
Why can’t you have both? Video equipment continues to drop in price, just like any other technology. I’m sure Greg would tell you, like he always tells me, you can provide great video at a very low cost, as long as you’re willing to work at it.
Excellence, many times is more about commitment than it is about capabilities (the infrastructure and gear you have) or your capacity (the people you have to operate it).
BUT.. and it’s a big but… you have to know that with fewer tools… or fewer human resources (whether volunteer or paid staff) you will have to have a higher commitment. It’s like the old fast, cheap, good triad. You can have two of the three.
kdl
@Phillip – I feel your pain.
Video in our place is a very haphazard affair and only happens when the pastor remembers. Last one was … can you do a 3m vid on by next week?
Erm no – I have a job and a life. Give me another week and yes ok.
What little we’ve done though we’ve made work on the cheap. I utilise whatever footage is available – in some cases we’re talking old VHS tapes, my Mac Mini or my slightly more powerful G4 tower and time.
It can work – but slowly in my case.