Issue 25 All WelcomeBlog | Taking a service online
Taking a service online
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 12.12.20
Taking all age online I’ve been speaking and preaching since my early twenties. However, nothing – in the last thirty years – prepared me for hosting and preaching an Online All Age Easter Worship Service for Spring Harvest!
It is likely, at least at the time of writing, that we are going to be needing a hybrid model for Sunday worship going forward: a mix of online content and appropriate face-to-face engagement back in church buildings. In this short article, I’m just going to share what I learnt and some hints and tips for creating something engaging for all ages.
Be short
As a rule of thumb, I would generally be aiming for about 50 minutes for an all age service in a church building. Online it needs to be shorter and punchier. The whole thing, with songs of worship, a drama video, storytelling and prayers was just under 30 minutes.
Use landscape I had a poor start. I should have known better! Although I created the content, I didn’t have the job of editing – I wanted to make sure I got my videos across to the editing team as quick as possible, so as soon as I had a snippet, I sent it off. A message came back saying, ‘Please shoot this again, only in landscape mode.’ I’d used my phone and shot the video in ‘portrait’ but with splicing in other video content (the songs of worship and the drama), it didn’t flow or fit. Always go landscape if you can. It looks much better on YouTube and Facebook – the exception might be on Instagram, if you are creating a short story rather than a longer act of worship.
Go big
When I lead or speak at an all age service, I try and use my whole body if I’m telling a story or trying to engage the congregation. You don’t just use visual aids – you are a visual aid. When filming something, go big – slightly exaggerate your moves, your expressions, your gestures – make it obvious. There really isn’t the space for nuance. You just have to be as clear and direct as you can.
