Utilizing Video: Churches
Thousands of churches currently use video in a variety of ways, either to advertise or to complement the worship service. But there are thousands more who adhere to more primitive traditions, and will not use video at all. And then there is the middle ground - smaller churches who may be willing to implement video into their congregation, but just aren’t sure if it will benefit them.
Just a quick Google search on “churches using video” will bring up countless websites advertising businesses and resources that provide video services for churches. You can also read blogs on how video affects the average church-goer. Whether you want to believe it or not, video as a tool for reaching people is quickly becoming a standard in this digital world. I’m sure the same debate was waged eight years ago when some churches couldn’t see the value in paying for and maintaining their own website. In today’s world, however, having a presence on the web is crucial. In a few short years, using video will be just a critical. So how can a church implement video into their everyday practice?
1. PUT IT ON THE WEB - A brief 3-5 minute video can quickly highlight import aspects of your congregation you wish the public to know. You can also upload the same introductory video to public forums like YouTube and Google.
2. HAND IT TO YOUR VISITORS - A longer video presentation can be put onto a DVD and passed out to visitors when they come in through the door.
3. CREATE A PODCAST - Have your minister create a weekly 1-2 minute devotional that you make available to the public as a weekly podcast.
4. USE IT DURING MEETINGS AND SEMINARS - If your congregation supports a missionary, be sure to get plenty of video footage from the field. Then, edit it into a nice 10-minute presentation that you can show to your congregation in an effort to raise awareness and more funds for the missionary’s efforts.
5. START A YOUTH PRODUCTION MINISTRY - Get your youth group involved in a video production ministry. Teach them how to tell a story on camera, from writing, to directing to editing. Post these short films on your church’s site. The kids will be eager to tell their friends to visit the site to watch the videos. Soon, your church’s site will have a lot more traffic.
6. CREATE A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL - These 30-second spots should capture the essence of your church’s mission. They shouldn’t be “preachy,” but should encourage the viewer to learn more.
7. USE THEM IN BIBLE STUDIES - When teaching an interested non-Christian, nothing will help him or her understand better than using a video as a supplement to your studies. It is something that person can take home after your study and watch as often as he or she likes.
Your congregation might already be using video in some, or all, of the above areas. But if you are a congregation who is looking to get started, let me recommend getting a video on your website first. In today’s world, people will search the internet, not the yellow pages, in order to find a congregation to visit. They want to know how friendly you are, what kinds of people attend there, and the kind of atmosphere you create. The more you can show them over the internet, the more inclined they will be to visit and to ask questions.
