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Media Ministry (Audio–Visual, Streaming & Communications)

Purpose

To serve the worship, Word, and witness of the church by capturing, amplifying, and communicating the gospel with clarity, beauty, and integrity—onsite and online. We aim to remove distractions, elevate participation, and extend pastoral care beyond the room (Phil 4:8; 1 Cor 14:40).

Ethos & Values

  • Gospel-first: technology is a tool, not the main event.
  • Clarity over complexity: simple, reliable systems beat fancy setups we can’t support.
  • Excellence with humility: we prepare well, then serve quietly (Ps 33:3).
  • Safety & safeguarding: we protect people as carefully as we protect gear.
  • Team over heroics: roles, checklists, and backups—no lone rangers.

Scope (sub-teams)

  1. Live Sound (FOH/Monitors): microphones, mixing, stage layout, gain structure, feedback control.
  2. Projection/Presentation: lyrics, scripture slides, sermon support, countdowns.
  3. Livestream & Recording: cameras, encoders, overlays, audio mix-for-stream.
  4. Photography & Videography: respectful, storytelling visuals for testimonies, highlights, and archive.
  5. Comms & Social: announcements, web updates, captions, short-form video, brand consistency.
  6. Systems & Support: maintenance, PAT log, spares, cables, storage, training matrix.

Roles

  • Media Lead: rota, training, standards, Sunday run-sheet owner.
  • Sound Lead: stage plots, mic lists, gain structure, FOH mix, recording feed.
  • Stream Lead: scenes/overlays, bitrate, redundancy, chat moderation.
  • Slides/ProPresenter/PowerPoint Op: lyrics/scripture/sermon support.
  • Photo/Video Lead: shot list, consent, asset library, post-production.
  • Comms Lead: notices, website/social, accessibility (alt text/captions).

Sunday Run-Sheet (example)

  • Load-in, power-on checks (amps, desk, projector), network/stream test.
  • Stage setup (mics/stands/DI), line check, assign channels.
  • Soundcheck with worship; set monitor levels; set reference vocal.
  • Final projector/lyrics test; pre-roll slide/live countdown.
  • Stream rehearsal: 10-sec record test; check sync (lip/audio).
  • Quiet period; comms check on talkback/WhatsApp group.
  • Service start. Operator follows service order; stream goes live.
  • Post-service: Save recordings, power-down sequence, tidy cables, incident notes, quick debrief.

Technical Standards & Practices

Live Sound

  • Gain structure: set input gain to average -18 dBFS; use high-pass filters on speech/singers to clean stage rumble.
  • Vocal priority: vocals intelligible above band (2–5 kHz clarity).
  • Dynamics & EQ: subtle compression on vocals (2:1–3:1), notch feedback frequencies; avoid over-EQ.
  • SPL stewardship: keep average levels comfortable for families; watch children’s areas.

Projection / Slides

  • Lyrics: clean, sans-serif; high contrast; 2–4 lines max; no animated backgrounds that hinder readability.
  • Scripture: translation noted; verse ranges grouped logically.
  • Sermon support: minimal text; use diagrams sparingly; one idea per slide.
  • Accessibility: font ≥ 36 pt on projector; avoid red/green reliance.

Livestream & Recording

  • Audio: create a dedicated stream mix (post-fade aux or matrix), not just FOH tap.
  • Video: stable camera (tripod), safe headroom; 1080p @ 25/30 fps; consistent white balance.
  • Encoding: 6–8 Mbps video / 128–192 kbps audio; record locally as backup (MP4/Mov).
  • Graphics: lower thirds for speaker/scripture; clear start/closing slates.
  • Redundancy: spare HDMI/SDI cable; power strips; hotspot fallback if internet fails.

Photography & Video (Onsite)

  • Shot priorities: worship wide, preaching mid, community moments, baptism/communion (respectfully).
  • Behaviour: unobtrusive; no flash during prayer/altar moments; respect pastoral sensitivity
  • Editing: natural colour; moderate contrast; no glamourising. Keep originals archived.

Data, Files & Storage

  • Naming: YYYY-MM-DD_Service_SermonTitle_Speaker_v1.mp4
  • Folders: /Media/Services/YYYY/MM/DD/ with subfolders for Audio, Video, Slides, Photos.
  • Backup: 3-2-1 rule—3 copies, 2 media types, 1 offsite (cloud).
  • Retention: raw service media 6–12 months; keep final mixes and photos longer for archive.

Safeguarding, Consent & Privacy

  • Children/Youth: no names on public posts; avoid close-ups without parental consent; respect court-ordered restrictions; blur/remove on request.
  • Consent flow: verbal is fine for congregation-wide shots; written consent for interviews/testimonies/close-ups.
  • Pastoral sensitivity: avoid filming confidential prayer; never stream counselling moments.
  • Data protection: store consent forms securely; remove content upon withdrawal of consent.

Copyright & Licensing

  • Lyrics/Projection: ensure active CCLI licence; projector report as required.
  • Streaming music: enable CCLI Streaming/Streaming Plus if using songs online; avoid unlicensed playback tracks.
  • Images/Fonts: use owned or licensed assets only; credit creators where required.

Accessibility & Inclusion

  • Captions: add closed captions/subtitles for sermons online where possible.
  • Alt text: meaningful descriptions on photos for website/social.
  • Colour/contrast: WCAG-aware palettes; large fonts on slides.
  • Hearing assistance: consider loop system notes on web once available.

Communication & Brand

  • Tone: hopeful, clear, invitational, jargon-free.
  • Style guide: consistent logo usage, colours, and typography across slides, posters, and posts.
  • Announcements: keep on-screen notices to essentials with a web link/QR for details.

Onboarding & Training

Pathway: Express interest → Team chat → Shadow 2 Sundays → Serve with buddy → Solo with review.

Training matrix:

  • Sound (Level 1–3): basic ops → EQ/dynamics → stream mix.
  • Projection: playlist building → service cues → quick-fixes.
  • Stream: scenes/overlays → bitrate/latency → troubleshooting.
  • Photo/Video: framing → consent/etiquette → editing/export specs.

Checks: H&S and safeguarding brief; equipment care; incident reporting.

Health, Safety & Risk

  • Cables: taped routes; no trip hazards; gaffer, not duct tape.
  • Power: PAT-tested equipment; avoid daisy-chains; load within limits.
  • Tripods/stands: safe footprint; never block exits.
  • Incident log: note any near-miss; raise defects for repair.

Minimum Kit (portable setup)

  • Audio: small digital mixer (12–16 ch), 3–4 vocal mics, 2 DI boxes, stage snake, wedges/IEMs, USB recorder.
  • Video/Stream: 1–2 cameras, tripod, capture/encoder (hardware or laptop + OBS), HDMI/SDI spares.
  • Projection: laptop with presentation app, HDMI to projector, remote/clicker.
  • Cabling & Power: labelled XLR/HDMI, IEC, multi-gangs, extension reels, gaffer, spare batteries.

Quick Checklists

Pre-Service (10-point)

  1. Power-on sequence followed; mains safe.
  2. Desk show file loaded; channels labelled.
  3. Line check done; no buzz/hum.
  4. Vocal mics gain-staged; HPF set.
  5. Lyrics deck checked; sermon slides loaded.
  6. Projector focused; readability confirmed.
  7. Stream encoder preview OK; audio not clipping.
  8. Camera white balance/exposure set.
  9. Consent signs visible at entrance (photo/video in use).
  10. Backup plan ready (spare mic/cable, mobile hotspot).

 

Post-Service (6-point)

  1. Stop recording; verify file saved.
  2. Export sermon cut; upload per policy.
  3. Back up to external/cloud.
  4. Power-down sequence; cool projectors.
  5. Room reset; cables coiled; waste cleared.
  6. Debrief: wins/issues; log defects & follow-ups.

How to Join Media

Email samaderoyalf@gmail.com or speak to the Media Lead on Sunday. We’ll book you for two shadowing weeks and tailor training to your interest (sound, stream, slides, photo/video, comms).