There are more opportunities than ever to use technology in your church. Incorporating tech into your worship is a great way to enhance the experience and engage your congregation.
Here are five tech-forward ideas for transforming your next sermon.
1. Lighting
Don’t underestimate the power of lighting. Stage lights can be effective tools on a stage or in a pulpit. Different colors and intensities can add interesting effects to your sermon.
For example, you can dim or brighten the lights when you begin the sermon. Doing so is a subtle way of gaining your congregation’s attention and letting them know you are transitioning to your message.
Different colors can influence different emotions, which you can use to help achieve the tone you intend. Red can be for love or anger, purple for calm and to represent Jesus, blue for the ocean, white for heaven and yellow for the sun. You can make your color palette, but changing as you tell different stories and lessons can help keep your congregation alert.
Consider getting a light panel mounting lights for a team member to change at different times. Create a cue list with different words to listen for or signals to watch to sync the lights as you want them. For a lower-tech setup, you can use portable lights you control with a remote.
You can keep your lights off to the side or hide them with mounts in your ceiling. Another option is adding light boxes that look more attractive than lights with sharp edges.
2. Screens
Screens are popular in many churches, as they provide larger hymn lyrics and display announcements. You can also use them to accentuate your sermons. Some are fixed to the wall, while others are retractable or portable.
One of the easiest things to do on a screen is display scriptures you reference throughout the sermon. Some people are visual learners, and others are auditory learners. By showing what you tell, you can reach as many as possible.
A strong projector is also key to ensuring good visibility, though not all projectors are equal. You’ll want to give thought to the device’s lumen output and make sure it has a matching color output. Check that the white brightness and color brightness have matching lumen ratings.
3. Sound
Visuals are fantastic but don’t underestimate the power of sound. You can add sound effects and music to accentuate your message when used strategically.
When discussing Jesus calming the sea, you can have rumbles of thunder before calming waves. You can use other nature sounds, crowd noise or other effects to help your congregation imagine the Bible stories you share. Music can also be a great tool. Subtly playing it under your message can create a cool effect.
Installing surround sound speakers can help immerse your congregation into what you want them to hear. Set up or utilize front monitors to amplify your sound. You could also get a Bluetooth speaker to connect your device.
Keep in mind that different sounds can trigger different experiences in some people. Explain that you will use sound in your sermon to relate to the story so everyone knows where it is coming from.
4. WiFi
Having access to wireless internet is a fantastic tool to boost your sermons. With access to a wireless network, you can use interactive tools to engage with your congregation throughout the sermon.
Tools like Mentimeter allow you to ask a question to your church members at the start of your sermon, and you can review it in a poll or word cloud.
The internet is full of fun tools you can experiment with during the sermon. Access to a wireless network can also help you bring in remote guests that can provide testimony or enhance the information you provide in your sermon.
5. Cameras
With a camera, you can better utilize your church’s live stream. More churches are online than ever, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. You don’t have to keep your remote audience separate from your congregation.
If you don’t have a close-up livestream camera, consider getting one so your congregation can see you better at home. With a webcam, you can interact with members via a virtual meeting platform like Zoom or Google Meet. When doing so, you can place different members on the screen to share their stories.
You can also use a camera in the church to show close-ups of props or people who aid in your sermon. It’s especially helpful for large churches where people in the back might also not see your tools.
Using Technology to Transform Your Sermon
When sharing the Word of God with your congregation, you can get your points across in many ways. Technology can help you add effects, bring in remote testimonies, use interactive tools and provide members better access to your expressions and props.
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