Hybrid Worship Decisions
Interactivity
How do you want to engage with worshippers?
Do you want to be able to see and hear the folks worshipping virtually?
Do you just want to broadcast your worship services for people to watch live or view later?
Staffing
Who is helping to do the work of making worship happen?
Are you doing this primarily by yourself?
Do you only have a few folks willing to help with the technical stuff?
Do you have tons of staff and eager volunteers?
Equipment
Do you have what you need to do worship?
Have you been making do with just a phone or laptop?
Do you have a few things pieced together but want to make things run smoother?
Do you have all the budget you need to make whatever purchases are available to create the stream of your dreams?
Recommendations & Suggestions
Staffing
Your hybrid options will vary depending on how many people you have available to run equipment, trouble shoot should anything go awry, and in many ways, minister to your online congregants.
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If you only have one person who can run your hybrid services (or if you have to run the tech AND preside over the service), your best option is streaming.
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If you have two or three people who can run equipment and depending on your space, you have the option to do either streaming or Zoom. It should be a decision made with input from the tech team.
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If you are blessed with an abundance of tech savvy volunteers and staff, your options will mainly be limited by your budget and your space. Check out the options below.
Streaming Options
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If you are running the whole show by yourself, we suggest keeping it as simple as possible.
Live-streaming to social media using a cell phone camera and solid wifi or an abundant data package.
A tripod is great, but a simple phone stand or even a stack of books works, too.
A simple microphone and the connecting cable to send audio directly to the phone.
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If you’ve got a few people who can work together to get your live stream running this is what we suggest:
DSLR Camera
Tripod
Video Encoder
A dedicated laptop
Direct Audio Input from the Sound System
A designated person to set up, run, and monitor the equipment.
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If you have a full team of folks ready to help, these are the things we suggest for a livestream:
Professional Camera(s)
Multicamera Switcher
Graphical Overlay Software
Professional Installation
Volunteers (or paid professionals) to set up, run, and monitor equipment.
All of our equipment suggestions were compiled by the Rev. Jim Keat of the Riverside Church
Interactive (Zoom) Options
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If you’d like a more interactive worship experience, but only have one or two people to handle the tech, this is what we suggest:
Cell phone camera with strong wifi or abundant data plan.
Tripod (or phone stand or a stack of books)
Microphone and the cable to connect it to the phone.
A Blank Wall
A Small Projector
One dedicated person to set up, run, and monitor the chat and the room.
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If you have a small crew of dedicated folks ready to make your interactive worship work, this is what we suggest:
DSLR Camera
Tripod
Video Encoder
Dedicated Laptop
Direct Audio Input from the Sound System
A Blank Wall
A Small Projector
At least one person to set up, run, and monitor the equipment and the room.
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If you’ve got tons of volunteers and staff to make an interactive hybrid service happen, here’s what we suggest:
Professional Camera(s)
Multicamera Switcher
Graphical Overlay Software
Professional Installation
Projector
Screen
Volunteers (or paid professionals) to set up, run, and monitor the equipment and the room.
All of our equipment suggestions were compiled by the Rev. Jim Keat of the Riverside Church