Most of my circle is comprised of people in communications, production, and worship.
So here’s a behind the scenes.
Most of my friends have figured out a way to serve remotely.
I knew one person who regularly called the church office to be sure the production Mac was on so they could set up service.
I knew someone else who ran sound for a church in Charlotte, NC, while on vacation in Myrtle Beach.
I know of someone going out of town soon for a family function. Yet, this person still plans to serve. They’ll log in remotely to get the service set up and run the camera – yes run the camera – from a remote location.
I personally have hosted our livestream while on vacation. More than once. And the one time I needed a week off, a friend in another state hosted the livestream for me.
Why?
Because although there are a lot of us, there aren’t quite enough of us.
And at some point most of us realized if we want any sort of social or family life, we’ve got to serve remotely.
But at the same time, most of us love our churches and do want to be there.
We’ve just figured out ways to get things done on the days we can’t be there.
And the sad — very sad — reality hit. Because we’re still doing the things when we’re not physically there, few people miss us when we’re away. Go ahead and read that again.
Now – switch gears.
A few years ago, I learned of a church that had their livestream host in their main church service. Until then, most livestream hosts I knew were in a back, hidden, room.
I thought through the benefits of hosting the livestream from the auditorium (sanctuary).
People watching would know their host was at the church.
People at the church would have a subtle awareness that just by being there, they were reaching beyond their four walls.
Livestream hosting is more than just a chat. It’s a ministry. One that shouldn’t be hidden, but celebrated.
Then I got to run ProPresenter at a ministry conference. At the host church, the sound booth wasn’t a back walled in room, it was on the floor towards the back of the church.
I wasn’t isolated — this ministry can be isolating enough.
Instead I got to interact with people at the conference.
I felt like I was part of something.
That’s a good feeling for a volunteer.
Now, I’ve given you some facts (and my personal opinion).
How does this come together?
Because recently in different situations with different churches, I’ve had people tell me that the livestream host shouldn’t be in the auditorium (or sanctuary). Instead they felt a livestream host should be in a back, hidden room (this is the case in most churches).
Let me tell you what that says to a livestream host:
It says you’re not one of us.
You’re in the way.
It says you belong in a back hidden room.
It says you may serve remotely.
If church is about people, why are we sending a message to hundreds of church communicators that it’s okay for them to serve remotely?
I know church livestreams that are reaching thousands of people each week.
Our own church is growing and reaching hundreds in a typical week.
To me, these ministries should be celebrated and valued. Not hidden.
I challenge you this week to look around and ask about your livestream (if you don’t already know).
(Pro tip: most churches go live online earlier than service starts – some 30 minutes or more – so if you are gonna take this challenge you’ll need to get up early. Because once the stream starts, that’s where a host focuses.)
Ask how many people they reach in a typical week.
Bring coffee. Or better yet, send coffee gift cards!
In hundreds of churches, all over the world, there are people who can serve remotely. Look around for them this week. And miss them if they aren’t there.