Video Announcements in Worship Services

by Conrad Weaver on July 22, 2010

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A couple of months ago I had the privilege of visiting a large church in Phoenix, AZ. Their use of video was quite extensive, including a very large video background screen at center stage. During the service they had several video roll-ins (produced very professionally, I might add) including a video announcement segment. This prompted me to begin thinking about how churches present announcements during their worship services.

I’ve seen it all: talking heads, PowerPoint slides, talking heads with PowerPoint slides, drama sketches, and of course, video.

I’ll never forget the very first video announcement I ever produced. If anyone could get fired for producing bad video announcements, I should have been. I tried to make it funny and completely bombed.

We all know that putting announcements into a worship service usually ends up breaking the flow of the service, especially if they’re presented poorly. However, video announcements during worship services seem to be a necessary evil, and occasionally using video works…but not often.

Being a video producer, you’d think I’d be all for using video announcements in a service; in the past I have been. But I’m not so sure they’re effective on a regular basis, and here’s why:

1. They’re impersonal. People come to a worship service to engage with God and others. The RIGHT person sharing can be more effective and engaging.

2. We’re over-saturated with media messages. Unless video announcements are extremely engaging and pull in the audience, people tune out.

3. If you’re like me, you flip channels when commercials come on while watching TV. I suspect using video announcements on a regular basis will create the same type of behavior from worship service attendees.

So, what do YOU do with announcement time?  How does it fit into your church’s worship service? Leave a comment and let’s learn from each other.

Other Chruch Video articles.

Conrad Weaver

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Conrad is a video producer and owner of Conjostudios, LLC in Emmitsburg, MD where he produces promotional and training videos for government agencies, corporations, and non-profits. Before he launched his own company in 2006, Conrad was the video and media director at his home church.  Learn more about Me

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  • brianmaddox

    thanks for this post. we've been thinking about ways to 'improve' the announcements in our service, but i've been a bit reticent to just jump on the video bandwagon. your thoughts echo some of my own misgivings. it's always nice to have someone agree with me. doesn't happen often, but it's nice… :)

    thanks conrad.

  • Pastor James Shade

    I start the service after 1 song with announcements and greeting, then a time of fellowship.We then gather back, pray and worship goes from there. I am like you I am not sure of the best place. There is no right place but as you stated it is a necessary part.

  • KatieStoeller

    I think video announcements can be good, but agree that they have to be engaging. My church video screen is a decent size and definitely gets my attention so I think how the video is being shown takes into account on how people will react to it. If it’s not large enough for everyone to see the people in the back might not pay attention. I like Pastor James idea of doing them in the beginning; I think more people are tuned in to what's being said then rather at the end of service when they are thinking about other things.

  • http://www.facebook.com/sean.cannell Sean Cannell

    Great Post!

    Having done VA's for the last 8 years – I've come to this conclusion… someone on the mic conveying information can drag on and be hard to follow depending on the competency of the speaker. VA's let you convey information; fast, clean, efficient, energetic, flawless. It's “green” to not have a printed bulletin… but VA's paired with a printed bulletin are more effective… because it may highlight something that the individual circles, and takes with them, and then attends. VA's are most effective for conveying simple information and then I've found that if the pastor gets up and highlights a few things… the intimacy factor comes in. Also, if your team is skilled enough… VA's can cast “vision,” possibly better than any person… because you combine images, music, and voice. I also think VA's help bridge the gap to the youth-30s in church.

    However, good VA's are not simple to produce. Price of equipment has come down, but good stuff still costs money. So Size of Budget and team – is always a factor.

    Alternative to VA's: Scripted Announcement with different people each week (gender, race, age – for diversity). Music playing quietly – like VA's… and a great slide to accompany each announcement. That's an option if producing video is not possible.

    As far a bumpers + countdowns + such: Why not… with all the services out there its cheap and raises the level of the service and bringer order + transition.

    I think that one of the best arguments for pushing deep into all the media stuff is the reality that; if it's not mandatory now… it will be… so if we adopt early … we won't suffer as much from playing catch up. Also, there is almost a “new kind of minster” in these days – and that is the Christian Filmmaker… and Christian Media Minister… or Digital Minster… Vlogger… etc. So by having a team that is developing and catching vision – an individual may discover God's Purpose for them in something as simple as Video Announcements!

    However, Conrad makes great points and his questions are important considerations! Good Conversation!

    Sean
    http://thinkintl.tv/
    http://www.youtube.com/THiNKmediaTV

  • Piratessoul

    Does anyone have any experience with doing video announcements at the very beginning of the service? I do the media at my Church and find that someone coming on stage in the middle of worship, to do announcements, often throws a wet blanket on a fire that the Holy Spirit has kindled in the hearts of the congregation. This is especially true with newcomers/visitors.

    Also, we are at the infant stage of puting together a media team. We have tons of talent in our Church but, little direction and almost no equipment. If anyone has any ideas or resources for good/reasonable equipment or conferences/training sessions please reply.

    Thanks,
    b. hinton

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