Livestreaming has become a cornerstone of modern church outreach. Every church I've been to in the last few years is livestreaming its service. Yours probably is, too!

But has it been worth it?

This article has tough questions about your 2024 church livestreaming strategy and what you can do about it.

The Livestreaming Landscape in 2024

Whether they use YouTube live, Facebook live, or a professional streaming software, nearly every church streams its services live. Lifeway found that 97% of churches were livestreaming their services within the first months of 2020, compared to just 22% in 2019. And most of those churches are still broadcasting services live today.

But some churches have unplugged the livestream and more are considering doing the same.

2024 is the year for church livestream gut check. Below is an honest assessment of your church's live stream.

An Honest Assessment Of Your Service Live Stream

Time for a gut check!

Without thinking too much, describe your church live stream in 5 words or less.

...

Are any of those 5 words positive? Or are they mostly criticisms?

If your assessment is mostly negative, it's time for an evaluation. Below are the questions we need to answer about our church video streaming:

Who is watching?

Most churches only reach current members with their live stream. Typically, a member will watch when they are sick or out of town and can't attend in person. Is that the case when you stream church services live?

If you are reaching numerous people who do not attend your church, are you using this as a way to connect and minister to them? What is the goal of that connection? Are you inviting those people to come to your church or will this remain a long-distance relationship?

How many are watching?

Does your church streaming service have dozens of viewers or more on average?

I've seen some virtual church services that were a live broadcast that no one watched. Or perhaps only two or three people checked it out.

Whatever your view count, is it high enough to justify the work to keep doing it, or is it low enough to consider making a change?

Who do we live stream church services for?

Regardless of who is actually watching, who do we want to watch our service? In other words, who is our target audience?

• If you intend to reach only members - are they regularly watching?
• If you want to reach local people who don't attend your church - is the livestream reaching them?
• If you want an even broader audience - is your current strategy succeeding?

Most church leaders I talk to have never considered who they hope to reach when they live stream a church service. It's time for you and your team to compare your desired audience with who you are actually reaching. This will tell you if your current church live stream strategy is working.

Does the quality leave a good first impression?

The quality of your live video services doesn't need to match a news channel broadcast. But it does need to leave a positive impression on viewers, especially anyone looking at your church for the first time.

A quick example

I once attended a church that livestreamed their service from an Elder's smartphone. The Elder logged into the church's Facebook account, set the phone on the edge of the sound booth, pointed the phone's camera at the stage, and let it run through the service. The audio and video quality were terrible.

They did this so members could watch when absent. But many of those members wouldn't bother because they could barely understand what was said from the pulpit. What kind of impression do you think that left on potential visitors?

All eyes are on the live stream

Even if you only live stream your church service so that members can watch while away, keep in mind that others will see it, too. Your members may not mind a low-quality experience, but people in your area who are looking for a church home may not appreciate it. In fact, some may dismiss your church as an option to visit altogether.

Has this been worth the time and money?

Finally, we come to the final stage of the assessment and it's the toughest part. Has the livestream been worth all the money and time that's been poured into it?

Of course, not every ministry decision we make is made against the weight of a dollar. But it's time to conduct a cost analysis of your livestreaming efforts. Assess the resources invested in equipment, platforms, and personnel. Determine whether the current investment aligns with the desired impact and if changes are necessary.

2024 Church Live Stream Strategies

Based on your answers to the questions above, let's talk about what your church should do this year.

There are 4 livestreaming strategies churches need to adopt in 2024...

1. Phasing out

Some churches may find that livestreaming no longer serves their needs. That isn't a bad thing!

If this is the case at your church, consider phasing out livestreaming and redirecting resources toward other forms of outreach. In-person outreach would be more effective than a church live streaming solution.

2. Audio-only livestream

For churches facing technical challenges or seeking a more streamlined approach, transitioning to audio-only livestreams may be a viable option. This preserves the auditory experience while reducing potential complications.

Read our Video Livestreaming vs Audio Livestreaming article to learn how audio livestreaming is a great option more churches should consider!

3. Recording for later release

If the live aspect poses challenges, consider recording services to share online later. This way, you can review and edit before posting, allowing you to create a polished presentation of a simulated live event while maintaining the benefits of accessibility.

4. Investing in improvement

Churches committed to offering the best church livestream need to make an investment. This might involve upgrading equipment, using a dedicated streaming platform, and training personnel to ensure a high-quality production.

The Benefit of Live Streaming: First Impressions

Now that we've talked about strategy, let me make one argument for why your church should want to stream live church services:

Your church's livestream is your biggest chance to make a great first impression. That will help prospective guests choose your church over other options.

How people choose a new church

Here's how many people choose a new church today...

Step 1: They hop on Google Maps and look up churches in their area

Step 2: They check out the church's website and social media

Step 3: If they like what they see, they will begin watching past services or subscribe to the church's podcast

Step 4: If they like what they hear, they'll visit the church

As you can see, your church has already made an impression on a guest before they ever come. Your front door greeters are no longer your church's first impression. That happens digitally now!

Evaluate Your Church Streaming Strategy Today

Church livestreaming is an amazing tool for outreach and growth. In 2024, we have to take a gut-level assessment of our livestream strategies. Our livestream is more than a broadcast; it's a virtual welcome, a connection point, and a representation of our church.

Use this assessment and these strategies to help make a great first impression with your church livestream!

Matt Church Engagement