HOW TO: DIGITAL SERVICES BY ZOOM

Home HOW TO: DIGITAL SERVICES BY ZOOM

HOW TO: DIGITAL SERVICES BY ZOOM

Here is a Beginner’s Guide to sharing your digital services via ZOOM.

WHAT DO I NEED?

  • A ZOOM account. You should already have one, or will have been provided a licensed ZOOM account, courtesy of the MNYS Office of the Bishop.
  • A camera and internet connection. Anything from a smartphone, tablet or laptop with a built-in camera and internet service capability.
  • Good lighting. While candlelight is a popular choice for in-person church services, “the more light the better” is a general rule of thumb when videoing. We want members to feel truly engaged after all, and for this to happen they will want to see your face.

THEN WHAT?

The easiest thing to do is just 

  1. DOWNLOAD the ZOOM application
  2. SIGN-IN to your account,
  3. Start a NEW MEETING
  4. INVITE participants to join  
  5. Provide invitees with a MEETING ID #, and optional PASSWORD
  6. MUTE the audience’s devices during select parts of the service, so as to reduce ambient sound, but also inform members that they have the ability to un-mute themselves if they would like to participate or share during the service
  7. Make sure the ENTIRE SERVICE CAN BE SEEN IN THE FRAME
  8. PRAYERFULLY ENJOY THIS VIRUTALLY COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE!

HOW DO I SPREAD THE WORD?

Provide the DATE, TIME and MEETING ID and optional PASSWORD for your Digital Service via ZOOM using the following platforms:

  • Social media. Broadcasting the upcoming service through channels such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are important, otherwise your audience may not know when and where to tune in. 
  • Newsletter emails. Especially for those who may not be connected through social media, your congregation’s email campaign is an important place to communicate with your members.
  • Website. Your website is now the digital front door of your church while we all try to keep each other healthy and out of harms way. Make sure that your website is up-to-date and providing members with resources for staying faithfully engaged, such as your ZOOMed worship services.

DONATIONS

  • Create an electronic donations page. In this way members can still remain active and involved in church, through contributions to Mission Support. You can advertise this at the end of your Digital Service.
  • The ELCA's preferred digital giving platform is Vanco. Congregations receive special discounted rates on eGiving services. To learn more about this platform, click HERE. A helpful article about other donation platforms can be found, HERE.

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

  • Please note that your services may contain music that is copyright protected. In order to avoid any potential issues, consider subscribing to CCLI Church Copyright License, OneLicense (OneLicense is offering FREE licenses until April 15 to assist churches that are live-streaming due to church closures and reduced attendance), or Ausburg Fortress (Ausburg Fortess is temporarily expanding licensing for streaming services from March 15 - May 21, 2020).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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