Churches worldwide operate within unique contexts, facing distinct challenges and budget constraints. While this individuality is a strength, it creates complexities when selecting worship presentation software and equipment. Some congregations utilize a single screen powered by one machine, while others manage multiple displays simultaneously. Regardless of whether a church uses several computers for graphics and lyrics or a more centralized setup, the need for reliable technology remains constant.
As ministries grow, they must adapt their worship environments to accommodate new formats. A church might transition from a single house screen to adding a dedicated stage display for the worship team, or expand from one screen to two. These shifts require adaptable presentation software. Understanding worship presentation best practices is essential during these transitions. ProPresenter offers the flexibility to help churches excel in their current operations while providing the tools to enhance future services.
ProPresenter is a powerful tool for teams leading through lyrics and media presentation. It is also an excellent resource for those exploring livestreaming platforms for churches. Rather than prescribing a single “correct” configuration, these insights are intended to encourage you to try new methods or refine your current processes to better share the message of Jesus with your community.
Here are the many ways I have seen or personally used ProPresenter in churches.
Single-Screen Presentation
A single-screen presentation setup is when only one screen for the audience is attached to a computer display in the sound and lighting booth. You only have to manage this one display to present lyrics and worship content for your room. This is classified as a simple setup.
Even in this arrangement, you can present quality room content to your church in a way that is straightforward and effective. The downside here is there are no ways to help or serve any of your stage teams with individualized content. You can split the computer display to go to as many screens as you want, but it will be the same look across all screens.
One Audience Computer Display and One Stage Display
In this robust setup, you will have one computer display routed for the audience view, and another computer display setup for routing stage screen content only. This arrangement is great because it allows you to deliver quality content for your audience and customized content to your stage screen, allowing you to show countdown times, video countdowns, special notes and more.
This setup is often used in churches with two screens (sides right and left). They will duplicate the computer display for the audience two times and send it to the projectors. Then on stage, there will be monitors for the stage feed.
Two Audience Computer Displays and One Stage Display
This setup is excellent for churches with a back screen or LED wall with content for the room on side screens. The structure is two audience screens and the stage screen. A church I currently serve uses this setup to show lyrics in the room and on the web with lower third content (Audience Display 1) and then a background screen behind the band with background and lyrics formatted center screen for that setup (Audience Display 2).
At this church, we also use two stage screens (two TV setups where one is a left and right feed, so I can control which layout goes to each).
This setup begins to offer you maximum creativity and flexibility. You can show what you want on each screen according to your needs for that service. For the many churches that do lyrics for their screens and background screens, this will be the perfect setup.
Three Audience Computer Displays and One Stage Display
This setup is where we get more complex. Some churches may be running three audience screens and one stage screen. This setup can be used if a church wants to run unique lower thirds for the stream, and lower thirds in the room that look different. This setup could also be used to run a triple-wide setup look with three screens tied together into one composite screen.
Streaming Services
Another setup your church could consider using ProPresenter 7 for is to run a program feed from your switch to a ProPresenter 7 station elsewhere in your building where an online host can also be. By running a program feed and then an online host recording spot, you can have both a pre- and post-show for online viewers and build an online experience for them.
With all controlled by this Pro 7 setup, you could cut into worship when ready and come out immediately at the end of the message. It is a great way to customize your worship experience for the people you engage with.
Complex Setups
As your church grows and changes, it may become worthwhile to have multiple ProPresenter machines doing different tasks at a certain point. With network and Network Device Interface (NDI) capability, you can begin to have specific machines performing specific roles on your production team, such as:
* a dedicated sermon note machine
* a dedicated lyric machine
* a dedicated props and animated control
You could then run these different machines into a Pro Video player setup to control your displays and feed specific content where you want it to go.
As you explore different options, don’t let a fear of new technology or a we’ve-always-done-it-this-way attitude deter you from experimenting. Try something new and see if it works for your church. You may find that it is easier than you think.