In the age of the hybrid church, your livestream is no longer a bonus feature—it's your digital campus. It’s the front door for people in your community exploring faith and the sanctuary for members who are travelling, sick, or have moved away. As your online congregation grows, it's crucial to ensure the technical quality of your broadcast is growing with it.

A technical issue can be more than a minor glitch; it can be a distraction that pulls someone away from a moment of worship or a key point in a sermon. Stewardship of our online presence means striving for excellence to create as seamless an experience as possible.

Not sure where to start? Here is a simple 5-point tech audit you can conduct this Sunday to assess the health of your livestream and identify key areas for growth.

The 5-Point Livestream Health Check

1. Audio is King (and Queen)

You can have a stunning 4K video, but if the audio is muffled, distorted, or cutting out, viewers will leave. Great audio is non-negotiable.

• The Audit: In Canva Pro, create a brand kit with your church's official colors, fonts, and logos. Always use these.

2. Video Clarity & Composition

A stable, well-lit, and thoughtfully composed shot makes the viewing experience more engaging and professional.

• The Audit: Is your camera on a stable tripod, or is it shaky? Is the pastor's face well-lit, or is it shadowed? Are your shots composed intentionally (e.g., using the rule of thirds), or does it feel like a random security camera feed?

“Your livestream isn't just a broadcast; it's an extension of your sanctuary and your welcome team into the digital world.”

3. Graphics That Guide, Not Distract

On-screen graphics (like lower-thirds, scripture references, and announcement slides) are essential for communication. They should be clear, consistent, and on-brand.

• The Audit: Are your graphics easy to read, or is the text too small or the font too decorative? Do they match your church’s brand identity? Are you effectively integrating your ProPresenter slides for sermon points and lyrics?

4. The Stability of Your Stream

A constantly buffering or dropping stream is one of the quickest ways to lose your online audience. The issue is almost always your internet connection.

• The Audit: Is your streaming computer connected to the internet via a stable, wired ethernet connection, or are you relying on inconsistent Wi-Fi? Have you run an internet speed test to ensure you have sufficient upload speed (at least 5-10 Mbps is recommended for a stable 1080p stream)?

The Human Element: Online Engagement

Technology is only half the battle. A truly welcoming livestream has a human touch.

• The Audit: Do you have a dedicated person (an online host or moderator) welcoming people in the chat as they join? Are they actively posting links to giving, connection cards, or sermon notes? Is someone there to pray with people or answer questions? This transforms a passive broadcast into an interactive ministry.

Ready for the Next Level?

Conducting this simple audit will give you a clear picture of your livestream's strengths and areas for improvement. Every small enhancement you make is a step towards serving your online community with greater excellence and clarity.

Feeling overwhelmed by the tech? That's where we come in. If you need a hand assessing your setup or planning your next upgrade, book a consultation. We're here to help you build a digital campus that truly serves your mission.