How to live stream church services: The ultimate guide

It seems like the whole world discovered live streaming during the 2020 pandemic — churches included. Now, live-streamed worship services aren’t a novelty, they’re expected. Members of congregations expect some form of virtual services and digital communications from their houses of worship:

• 30% of U.S. adults go online to search for information about religion
• After the pandemic, 27% of Americans are still watching religious services on screens
• Among U.S adults who regularly watch religious services online or on TV, 67% are extremely or very satisfied with those services
• 22% of Christians say they are now watching online church services more often than before COVID-19

If your church has never live streamed before, it can seem like a big undertaking. But have no fear — this guide has everything church leaders and volunteers need to know.

Why live stream church services?

Staying connected with congregations and members in today’s digital age is the biggest reason places of worship stream their services. There are several other advantages of broadcasting your services, including:

• Engaging people who cannot attend worship in person
• Being closer to the members of your parish and providing support wherever they are
• Sharing inspiring live videos and encouraging more people to join your community
• Bringing church to more people's lives
• Strengthening your church community
• Soliciting donations for further live video investment

One of the biggest benefits of live streaming for churches is growth. Dr. Matthew Stevenson, senior pastor at All Nations Worship Assembly, has been using live streaming for worship services for several years. He looks at it as a way to spread your message and grow your community, saying, “You never want to get comfortable with your current reach, and you always want to design a strategy for who else needs to hear.”

If your church hasn’t started streaming, now is the time to start. Churchgoers have come to expect digital communication experiences from their houses of worship.

Let’s look at what it takes to produce live broadcasts so your place of worship can start reaping the benefits.

Church live streaming equipment and setup

To get started with live video, you’ll need a basic streaming setup, such as:

• Webcam or camera
• Streaming software
• Microphone
• Laptop or smartphone
• Good internet connection

The above are your “must-haves” that you can’t really live stream without. After you’ve got the basic setup and become more familiar with live streaming, you may want to expand this list or add multiple cameras, mics and computers.

The best cameras for live streaming church services

To broadcast a good-quality video of your sermon or service, you’ll need a camera that records in high definition (HD), featuring an HDMI output. This setup works if you have a small live streaming budget or don’t need super-professional quality.

However, if you plan to go with high-end video production, we recommend you consider one of the top camcorders that capture video in 4K UHD (ultra high definition).

These are our top church live streaming camera picks:

1. Mevo Start: user-friendly webcam perfectly suited for beginners.
2. Panasonic 4K Cinema-Like Video Camcorder: works effectively in low light.
3. Canon EOS 90D: a DSLR camera that also works well in poor lighting conditions.
4. Canon XA60: a high-budget camcorder suitable for tech-savvy people.
5. Sony PXW-Z150: captures videos in 4K UHD and provides professional features that make it one of the best cameras for live streaming church services.

You’ll also need to choose which resolution you want to stream in. The video resolution you choose will directly affect the image size. In the high definition (HD) levels, higher resolution equals a larger and better-quality image.

High-quality video is always recommended if you can do it, but your church members may encounter issues watching HD live video if they have slow internet connections. One option to avoid this problem is multistreaming, which lets you broadcast an HD video on one platform and an SD video on another, simultaneously. This way, viewers can choose the option that suits them best.

Streaming software for churches

Most social media networks let you live stream to your profile or page for free. You’re limited to broadcasting on only one platform, though. You also have fewer options when it comes to customizing your live stream. If you want to broadcast to more than one streaming service at a time, you’ll need streaming software like Restream. 

Restream has several features that make it ideal for church live streaming:

• Multistream to several social platforms and websites at once
• Save a recording of your service to post on your website or send to your members
• Add verses from scripture as captions on the live feed
• Present a slideshow alongside the live feed
• Stream with an extra camera for more than one angle
• Lead small group discussions with members commenting and asking questions in the live chat
• Add a QR code for a donation link to your church or a nonprofit you support
• Create a social media event for your service or event beforehand so members save it and get a notification when you’re live
• Host your live stream on your church’s website
• Invite remote guest speakers to services and church events and have them appear on-stream live

Create stunning live videos

Restream Studio is the easiest way to create high-quality live videos on multiple platforms at once. It's user-friendly and offers an engaging viewer experience.

Get started

Other streaming software you can try out for broadcasting your worship services and church events are:

• BoxCast
• Dacast
• SermonCast
• Wirecast
• ProPresenter
• Churchstreaming.tv
• vMix
• OBS Studio

Church live streaming encoders

Streaming software is a great choice if you’re starting out, but if you have a large-scale production, you might be better off with a hardware encoder. A hardware encoder is a device that captures your video and audio and converts it into a format suitable for broadcasting online. It essentially does the same thing as streaming software, but it doesn’t take up disk space on your computer and tends to be more reliable than software. Hardware church streaming encoders are usually more expensive and complicated to use than software, however.

Audio setup for church live streaming

A decent camera is important but audio quality is crucial for live worship services. You will probably already have your audio setup for the in-person service, but you’ll need to ensure the people watching online can hear everything clearly too. You can connect your audio interface to your laptop and streaming software so at-home viewers can hear the service properly.

Laptop or smartphone for streaming church services

You’ll need a device to run your streaming software and send your broadcast to live streaming platforms. For churches, a laptop or smartphone are the best choices, depending on your budget. Used wired internet, rather than wireless, is usually recommended for live streaming, however, so a laptop is more reliable than a smartphone.

Good internet connection

You need to ensure you have a solid internet connection if you want to stream live video. The upload speeds required for streaming differ depending on which platform you stream to and the type of content you’re broadcasting. Check out our guide to streaming upload speeds to see if your church’s internet connection is fast enough.

Other equipment for church live streaming

In addition to a camera and streaming software, there are several other accessories churches will need to go on air.

1. Tripod: Set your camera or webcam on a tripod or stable surface for the duration of the service. Nobody likes shaky videos.
2. Video lighting: If you hold services in person you already have lighting, but make sure it’s adequate for capturing footage as well. Check out our video lighting guide for tips.
3. HDMI cable and extender: If you’re using a camcorder, you’ll need an HDMI cable and extender to connect it to the laptop running your streaming software.
4. Video switcher: Use a video switcher to switch between multiple cameras or video signals during the live broadcast. Check out our list of the best video switchers for streaming.
5. Monitor: Consider getting a second monitor for the live stream so you can check what the live video looks like to people viewing it in real time.

Which platforms should you live stream your church services on?

After you’ve set up your gear and your streaming software, you need to decide which platforms to stream your services to. Streaming to a church website is a common option, but many churches also use Facebook and YouTube. If you want to reach as many people as possible, you should stream your church services on the most popular video platforms.

There are also dedicated church live streaming platforms that cater specifically to houses of worship. Some of these platforms include BoxCast, Streamingchurch.tv, TruthCasting, and Sermoncast. Ultimately, the best place to stream your services is where your members are most likely to watch you, whether that’s YouTube, a church-specific platform, or your own website. 

Embed your live stream on your church website

Watching services live on a church website tends to be the most appealing option for churchgoers in the U.S. Members are most likely already familiar with your website, so the stream is easier to find and share. It also sends more traffic to your church website, where you can post a schedule of upcoming events, share updates and ask for donations.

With Restream Studio, you can send a live broadcast of your worship services directly to your website. You can set up your stream with our browser-based live studio, then simply copy and paste a video embed code onto your church website.

Facebook Live

Facebook Live lets you broadcast directly to a Facebook profile, page or group. It’s a great option because it's free and so many people actively use it — Facebook has 2.89 billion monthly active users.

To use Facebook Live for church streaming, you will need a Facebook page. When you want to go live from a mobile device or a computer, simply select Create post on your page and then select Live. You don’t need a third-party app to stream to your Facebook page, but if you want to customize your stream beyond the options available on Facebook or multistream to another platform at the same time, you’ll need a third-party streaming tool like Restream.

Facebook also lets you schedule a live stream in advance, so anyone following your page will receive a notification about it. After you select Create post and Live, you can choose either Go Live or Create live video event. Choose Create live video event and follow the steps to set up your scheduled live stream. You can also schedule a Facebook Live event using Restream.

YouTube Live

YouTube live streaming is another simple option that many churches already take advantage of. YouTube Live is free, though there are paid services available.

With 2.5 billion monthly active users (and even more who don't actually sign in to use their services), YouTube is a guaranteed way to reach your audience. The fact that users can access YouTube without signing in is part of why it has become so popular. It's not necessary to keep track of passwords or make sure your account is set for viewing services — all your viewers have to do is follow a link directly to your video.

To stream on YouTube, you will need a YouTube channel that is verified. To go live on mobile or desktop, simply select the Create button and then Go live. You can go live from the YouTube mobile app only if you have at least 1,000 followers. Otherwise, you can stream to your church’s YouTube channel on desktop using either a webcam and YouTube’s native streaming studio or a third-party encoder such as Restream Studio.

You can also create a live stream event in advance on YouTube. The easiest way to schedule a YouTube Live video is with Restream’s events feature. Read our guide to scheduling live streams with Restream to see how to do it.

Multistream to several destinations with Restream

The choice between social media or your church website can be challenging since both have their pros and cons. But if you use Restream, you don’t have to choose; you can multistream to several platforms at once.

Restream lets you broadcast your church service to YouTube, Facebook, your church website or any other preferred streaming platform simultaneously. Your congregation can interact with your church on the platform that is most convenient for them. Creating an account with Restream is free and you don’t need any technical knowledge to link your Facebook or YouTube channels to your Restream account.

How to live stream a church service step-by-step

You’ve got your gear and you’ve picked your platforms. Now it’s time to stream your worship service. We’ll walk you through it, step-by-step.

1. Research and gather ideas

Have you ever watched a church live stream yourself? If not, go watch a few. While you’re watching, take some notes on the setup and quality of the live video:

• How many camera angles do they use?
• How is the audio quality?
• Is the live chat activated and are people participating in it?
• How are captions and slides used?
• Is the lighting quality good?

It will be much easier to plan your church’s live stream once you have some ideas on how it should look and sound.

2. Write an outline or run of show

You probably already have an outline for how your service will go; you know approximately how long each portion will take. Now, simply add video and audio cues to that outline to create the run of show for your live stream.

Here’s what to include in a live streaming church service run of show:

• The duration of each segment of your service
• Time stamps for when you change camera angle or switch to a different video source (such as an image or a slideshow)
• Time stamps for when you switch between audio sources
• Cues for any change in lighting
• Cues for any time the speaker changes
• Cues for captions or overlays you display over the live feed

Preparing a run of show in advance will help whoever is managing your live stream to stay on track. They’ll know exactly how the service will go.

3. Set up your camera

Make sure all of your gear is set up properly, including connecting your camera and audio system to your streaming computer.

Depending on the type of camera you use, you’ll connect it to your laptop via a USB or HDMI cable. If you’re using a camcorder or DSLR camera, it’ll be via HDMI; external webcams are typically USB. Once your camera is connected, you can add it as a source in your live streaming software.

Repeat this connection process for a second camera, if you’re using one.

4. Connect your sound system to your streaming software

To get the audio going on your church live stream, you will most likely have to connect your audio system’s soundboard to an audio interface, then connect the interface to your computer. Ideally, your soundboard lets you put different audio sources into subgroups, so you can mix them in real time during the stream.

If you’re using an audio interface, you’ll need an XLR cable to connect it to your soundboard. Then you’ll connect your audio interface to your PC via USB. Once it’s all hooked up, you can add the audio interface as a source in your streaming software.

5. Prepare your live streaming software

Once you’ve added your sources to your live streaming software, you need to make sure you’re broadcasting to your chosen destinations. If you’re live streaming with Restream Studio, you can multistream to several channels at once. Simply add your destinations in your Restream account, then enter the live studio and start queuing up your slideshow, images, captions and other customizations.

Visit our help center to learn how to add streaming platforms to Restream.

6. Queue up your slideshow and captions

If you want to display captions or show slides during your worship service, you’ll need to prepare them in your live streaming software. With Restream Studio, you can easily add a caption by typing the text you want to display and choosing a style. Then, simply toggle it on and off during the stream. You can import a PowerPoint presentation into Restream Studio as well, and toggle it on and off when you want throughout your stream.

You can also import and configure other customizations for your stream with Restream Studio, such as:

• Importing a short video clip to play during the broadcast, such as a countdown timer
• Displaying scrolling text at the bottom of the screen
• Adding a custom background and church logo
• Displaying a donation or other link on-stream as a scannable QR code

Get all of these extra elements ready to go in your streaming software before you start broadcasting.

7. Mitigate risks and malfunctions

Something can always go wrong with live video, but there are usually steps you can take to mitigate these risks:

• Check your internet connection to ensure you have fast enough upload speeds. Use SpeedTest by Ookla to check. If possible, use wired internet instead of wireless when uploading live video.
• Do a test run the day before with all the equipment you plan to use for your service. You can stream to an unlisted video on YouTube, stream to your website with a title like “Test stream” or simply make a recording.
• Check your audio, then check it again. People won’t be able to watch your live stream if they can’t hear what your pastor or worship leader is saying.
• Assign more than one person to run the live stream. Monitoring the quality of the stream, hitting all the video and audio cues, displaying captions and possibly monitoring the live chat if you have it available can be a lot for just one person. If you broadcast with Restream Studio, you can have more than one person signed into the same account, with both of you able to edit the same broadcast from separate devices.
• Make sure the video and audio are synced before you start broadcasting.
• Make sure you meet the live streaming requirements for your chosen platforms. On YouTube, for example, your channel must be verified before you can live stream to it.
• Restart all devices and equipment before starting the broadcast. Make sure your PC is updated and you won’t get any update alerts in the middle of the broadcast.
• Have your laptop charger nearby in case the battery gets low; or better yet, keep it plugged in for the entire broadcast.

8. Run tests

Before you go live, do some rehearsals — especially if you’re just getting your feet wet with video. Try to test your content in the same location and at about the same time of day that your live video will take place so you'll know how noise and light work for your video.

Look for any modifications you need to make before the real broadcast:

• Is the pastor, worship singer, band and everyone who participates in the service clearly visible? Should the lighting be adjusted?
• Are the video and audio synced up properly?
• Is the audio clear and easy to understand? Is the noise from the worship band too loud and if so, can you turn that channel down on your mixer?
• Does the internet connection stay stable throughout the entire stream?
• How does the live video feed look and sound on the end destination?

9. Let your members know where to watch

Ensure everyone knows where they can find the live stream of your service. If you’re using social media or YouTube, you can create an event in advance. People can sign up for notifications about the event. If you’re streaming to your website, send out a reminder to your email list with a link to the live video webpage.

You may decide to live stream your worship services every week. In that case, add a link to the live video to your church’s calendar. If you’re planning to multistream to several destinations using Restream, be sure to let your members know all the places where they can watch your church live stream.

10. Go live

When everything is ready you can finally hit that “Go live” button! Monitor the stream while it’s broadcasting live using Restream’s monitoring features. Ensure you have someone who is familiar with the equipment and streaming setup on hand to take care of any issues that may come up during the stream.

11. Post the replay of the service

When the live broadcast is over, you might want to download the recording and post it as a replay on your website, YouTube channel or Facebook page. If you stream to YouTube, the recording automatically gets saved and posted as a video on demand (VOD). Restream Studio also creates a downloadable version of your live broadcast that you can edit (if needed) and publish on your website.

How to make the most of your church live stream

Make the most of your church live stream by sticking to a few tips and best practices.

Customize your church live stream

Add your church’s logo, a custom background and custom graphics to your live stream to make it your own. It also helps the people watching recognize it as your church’s live stream. With Restream Studio, you can add all these customizations and more when you broadcast your worship services or church events.

Engage with the audience in the live chat

With live video, your audience can grow significantly. Make sure to engage with your online audience as much as your in-person audience. Use the chat and commenting functions to help online viewers feel included. If you multistream on several platforms with Restream, you can use our chat feature to keep track of chat conversations from each platform, all in one central hub.

Reach a bigger audience with multistreaming

Multistreaming broadcasts your live video stream simultaneously to multiple channels to help you get the most out of your live church service.

Mutlistreaming can help you spread your message as far and wide as possible. Dr. Matthew Stevenson says he multistreams because “certain platforms captivate certain audiences, but I want to reach out to and attempt to retain some from every platform possible.”

Restream lets you stream your church services simultaneously to all your preferred channels, including your church website.

Promote on social media

Use your existing personal accounts, as well as your church profiles, to reach out to your audience. Let them know when you will be live streaming and which events they can look forward to in your posts.

PRO TIP: Make sure you promote your videos early enough so that your audience has plenty of time to add them to their schedule.

Consider including church members in your live stream to help motivate sharing. For example, you can invite your youth group to prepare a contribution or regularly host "guests" from your congregation. Members of your church who are included in the streaming process will do a lot of promotion for you.

If you use a social networking platform such as Facebook to broadcast your church services, you can use Restream’s event planning feature to schedule an event with a custom link you can share on your church’s Facebook page. You can also enable alerts that will send your followers notifications when your live video is about to start.

Get donations with QR codes

Add a QR code to your stream with a link to your donation page, church website, event calendar or the website of a charity you’re partnering with. You can also use a QR during Bible study live streams and link to your online learning materials. Restream Studio lets you easily turn any link into a QR code that you can display on-stream during your live broadcast.

Be careful about music licensing

Most of the worship songs used during church services are copyrighted — meaning you need a license to perform and stream them online. The religious exemption pertaining to copyright only applies to worship services that take place at your church, not publicly live streamed services and not other church events like community picnics.

You can get a streaming license from providers like Christian Copyright Solutions, One License or Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI).

Create a program specifically for the live stream

Decide which programs in your church are the best fit for live video. You can probably get more value from adapting a program specifically for going live, rather than just running it as normal and sticking a camera in front. For example, the pastor may give a short, separate sermon directly to the camera and interact in real time with the congregation. These live stream sermons can be scheduled at times when the ideal audience is most active.

Schedule your live video

You can save yourself time and stress by uploading and scheduling pre-recorded videos to play as live videos. This benefit isn't available on most platforms, but it’s offered in a few third-party tools, including Restream. Create an edited, polished video, then upload it to Restream and set a date and time for it to broadcast on your favorite platforms.

FAQs

Wrap-up

Live video streaming comes in very handy when you want to spread the word online about your church and encourage more people to join your community. Many churches have tried broadcasting and have seen fewer people leave the church as a result. Not only do they engage the members who cannot physically attend the sermons, but they also bring the church straight to people's hearts and inspire them to join.

Restream can be your church’s live streaming companion. Going live with Restream Studio is so easy even volunteers with no live video experience can do it. You can fully customize your stream with Restream Studio, plus you can multistream to more than one platform — including your church website. Restream can help your church reach more people and spread your message.