Sponsored by:
Supported by:
Welcome Message from The Bible Society of Singapore
The recent unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 has devastated the Wuhan province and many other cities in China, and has also spread to 30 other countries—including Singapore, with 401 active cases as of 24 March 2020. Within the Christian community, some churches have also been affected by the virus outbreak, which has raised concerns among many about gathering in church on Sundays. (Shared on 20 February 2020)
As an inter-confessional Christian organisation that is dedicated to serving the Church and the Christian community, The Bible Society of Singapore recognises the desire of the local churches to continue facilitating worship programmes in spite of the increased preventive measures. In our efforts to meet the needs of the Churches, we have been actively working with our local and international partners to source for alternative methods to enable Churches to resume their worship activities and serve their congregations in spite of the current situation. This includes the provision of services and products that we hope would help churches and their members to continue faithfully serving their congregations.
We are extremely heartened to be working in collaboration with several associates, and most notably with ThunderQuote to provide free technical guidance on live-streaming platforms for churches and Christian organisations whose members may be unable to attend their weekly worship service in view of the current quarantine measures in place. I would like to thank Mr Kevin Ng and his team for their hard work and dedication in helping us to put this project together in such a short amount of time, so that we may respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in a timely manner.
Aside from this, The Bible Society of Singapore has also secured our first shipment of a thousand boxes of surgical masks—which are currently pending a permit from the government. The masks are made available for churches and Christian organisations to pre-order, with a limit of 5 boxes (500 pcs) per organisation due to the limited quantity available.
By embarking on these practical initiatives to render assistance to our brothers and sisters, as well as other communities in this time of need, it is my hope that we may spur others on to bear each others’ burdens as we join arms to combat the epidemic as a collective Christian body.
Do continue to pray fervently for individuals and churches that have been affected by the virus, and for the Body of Christ to stand firm in His Word during this period. May the Lord bless us all.
Yours in Service,
Rev Ezekiel Tan
General Secretary/CEO
The Bible Society of Singapore
Follow our Telegram Channel for announcements and updates: https://t.me/streamsoflife, or volunteer your help here.
Hi, we’re glad you’re here!
This national church live-streaming resource centre was birthed to serve the churches in Singapore in view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation that has caused much fear and anxiety.
With the circuit-breaker being put in place (Effective as of 8 April), the church needs to find alternative means to gather, worship and pray as one body safely – which technology now allows for.
This resource centre provides some helpful guides on available tools that are 100% free, and how to set them up for your church. Relevant information from government advisories and updates are also linked below for your reference.
As children of God and citizens of the kingdom, let us press on in hope for our Lord is sovereign over all creation. We pray that the Lord will use such times to strengthen His people and bring many to trust wholly in Him. May the body of Christ continue to stand together in faith and not forsake the assembling of the people (Hebrews 10:25). It is a wonderful time for the ecclesia to exercise practical wisdom and explore creative methods of ministry.
For Church Services
Option 1 - Prerecording video sermons
Level of difficulty: Low
Resources required:
- A device capable of recording videos, such as a smartphone, camcorder or webcam
- A tripod to hold your recording device
- A place to upload your video – such as YouTube or Facebook
- Optional – video editing software to place overlays, such as text & slides, OR Broadcasting software
One way of providing sermons for your congregation is to pre-record the sermon. Smartphones today are capable of recording high quality videos. However a professional camcorder with a microphone input may do a better job.
Video editing software may be used to edit the video in advance and overlay it with slides and information.
Alternatively, broadcasting software such as OBS may be used to record the sermon and overlay in real-time, to be published later. However, this means you will either need a video capture card to receive a video feed from your smartphone or camera, or use a webcam to record the video. (See Option 2 on how to use OBS)
Option 2 - Live Streaming
Level of difficulty: Medium
Download the Streams Of Life live-streaming setup & diagnosis guide here.
Resources required:
- A device capable of recording videos, such as a smartphone, camcorder or webcam
- A laptop or computer
- A video capture card if you are not using a webcam
- A tripod to hold your recording device
- A place to livestream your video – e.g. YouTube
- Live-streaming / Broadcasting software (OBS)
Ideal Setup 1: Sanctuary video feed + video capture card + laptop/computer
- Use the existing video camcorder setups for sanctuary video feeds for overflow rooms or broadcasts
- Convenient, makes use of existing equipment
- Good video capture card options include the Elgato Camlink, the AVerMedia LGP2+ or the Razer Ripsaw HD
- Run a normal service without people in the sanctuary and just stream it out.
Intermediate Setup 2: DSLR/camcorder + video capture card + laptop/computer
- Trickier setup, can be more complicated to assemble, expensive
- Better video quality
- Stick to reliable video capture cards
- May not be a lot better than Setup 3
- Use this guide to assist you: https://www.obs.live/articles/2019/6/7/using-a-dslr-as-a-webcam-a-guide-amp-tutorial
Recommended Setup 3: Laptop webcam/webcam + laptop/computer
- Easiest to do, quality is reasonably good, especially if a good webcam is used
- Main issue will be audio quality, as webcam microphones are not as good.
- A good webcam can be as high or higher quality
- To make it better and nearly as good as Setup 2, use an external microphone or sound mixer input for audio, and trail an audio cable to the computer audio input or sound card
- A recommended webcam for live-streaming is the Logitech C922
Follow the Streams Of Life Telegram Channel/Group to seek help with your setup if needed: https://t.me/streamsoflife
Live streaming requires a couple of steps to get working:
Firstly you need to create a YouTube account if you don’t already have one. You will also need to verify your YouTube Account, which means providing a mobile number and receiving a confirmation SMS.
Next you will need to download and install OBS Studio. This is a free and open source tool available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
You will then need to connect your recording device to your laptop. For webcams, this is relatively straightforward. However if you are using a smartphone or a camcorder, you need a video capture card device. These are devices with a HDMI input that allows you to feed a video stream into the computer.
After which you need to setup YouTube to enable live streaming. The first time you set it up, it may take up to 24 hours to activate.
- While logged-in visit https://studio.youtube.com/
- Click on the ‘CREATE’ button located on the top right of the page
- Press Go Live
- If this is the first time you’re using the live stream feature, YouTube may require you to wait 24 hours.
- Set up your livestream settings, such as Title, privacy, description etc. Public streams are available to anyone searching on YouTube, while unlisted streams will need viewers to either have the link, or be embedded in another website.
- Once the stream is created, you will be provided with a stream key. Take copy down this key to be pasted later in OBS
Setup OBS
- Download OBS at https://obsproject.com/download
- Run the installer
- Open OBS. Follow the setup wizard and enter your stream key when prompted to do so. You can change the stream settings later on.
Configure your stream
- OBS allows you to setup preconfigured video layouts called scenes, allowing you to transition smoothly between a video feed and powerpoint slide (e.g.)
- Create scenes by pressing the plus icon below scenes. For instance you can create 2 scenes, one to show a pastor video feed, the other to show a Powerpoint Slide or computer screen
- Configure each scene by adding sources to each scene. You can add window captures (e.g. powerpoint), video feeds (from your webcam or capture card), or text / image overlays (e.g. church logos, sub-captions etc)
- Once each source is added, you can reposition the source by dragging and resizing it on the preview screen above. You can rearrange overlapping source layers by right clicking on the source and selecting the order submenu
- Switch scenes to quickly transition between preconfigured source layouts. This can be done during the recording or broadcast
Record or broadcast your stream
- Check your audio inputs and adjust them using the audio mixer
- Once you’re ready, press the start recording or start streaming button
- Once the recording or broadcast is completed , press the stop button
Disseminate the livestream link to your church congregation
- Save the livestream/YouTube link
- Disseminate the livestream/broadcast link to small-group leaders or through church communication channels (email, website, chatgroups, WhatsApp/Telegram)
- 5-10 minutes before the appointed session time, have the congregation click and load the livestream/broadcast link
Want to learn more?
Check out this link for a full video live streaming church setup tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBrWLl0tYFo
G
Things To Note
- Livestreaming or uploading church content on to Youtube will make it available to a wide audience. Therefore it is important that sensitive content be avoided. But this can be a good opportunity for churches to reach more people who wouldn’t otherwise step into a church building!
- Youtube has automatic algorithms to pick up perceived copyrighted content, which may include films, music or soundtracks from another artiste. If copyrighted content is detected, your account may face sanctions. As such it is always a good practice to ensure that only original content is presented.
- For music reproduction rights, ensure that your church has the necessary copyright clearance to broadcast non-public domain songs, if you choose to livestream a live worship session with copyrighted worship music.
- “Today’s technology makes it very accessible communicate effectively through live streaming. One tip would be that while many people believe that video quality is what live streaming is about, AV experts know that you must in fact pay extra special attention to the audio setup. Namely, use a good quality microphone. And on the receiving end, ensure that your speakers produce good sound that allows the recipients to hear the stream clearly. Gaps in audio quality, lag and other factors can severely affect the listeners’ experience.”
– Sherman Ng, CEO | Founder, Salt Media & Entertainment
Resources/ Ideas
How to stay connected and missional in this digital age:
- Pre-record or live-stream sermons
- Broadcast announcements and devotionals in WhatsApp chatgroups and Telegram channels to complement sermons
- Post videos and go live on Facebook and Instagram
- Small groups continue to meet for regular bible study and fellowship
- Small groups may watch live streamed sermons together
- Invite church-goers without small groups to join small groups for fellowship and watching live streamed sermons
- Play recorded sermons, seminar-series or faith-based movies in small groups
- Meet in 2s and 3s for prayer and encouragement on weekday lunches and dinners. Invite colleagues along too!
- Create sermon podcasts for people to listen on the go
- Check out the Christianity Today Coronavirus Church Guide
- Find the Digital Worship Service Template here.
Do contribute fresh ideas in the telegram channel on how the church may grow in prayer, fellowship and evangelism today!
Indigitous Livestream Webinar
This might interest you… or your church leaders.
SO YOU WANT TO LIVESTREAM YOUR CHURCH SERVICE 
(Livestreaming For Churches)
27 February, Thursday
8-930pm online on Zoom
This free 90 mins webinar on church livestreaming will help your church begin livestreaming, led by the team responsible for the Celebration of Hope livestream (May 2019).
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
– Understand the key considerations
– Expert advice on gear and equipment needed
– Introduction to licensing and copyright issues
– Primer on how to produce your service for online use (lights, camera and sound)
– Tips on how to get started with the right equipment set-up
– Best practices of churches who livestream
– Discover the principles of engaging online
WHO SHOULD COME
– Church leaders, AV team leaders, anyone keen to learn
FACILITATORS
Simon Seow – Digital Strategist (Cru)
Steven Yeoh – Technical Director (Hope Singapore)
Aaron Char – Product Specialist (Ross Video)
Poh Haikun – Operations & IT (Faith Methodist Church)
Lim Chee Harn – Events & Programmes (Hope Singapore)
Brought to your by:
Indigitous & Digital Mission @ 360
Register now at: ndgt.us/learn
Live Streaming Workshop @ SBC
In response to the COVID-19 situation, if your organisation is facing the challenge of managing instant communication and considering how to do a video broadcast (Church livestreaming) to your members through Youtube, Singapore Bible College is conducting an “Introduction to Instant Message Broadcast and Live Video Streaming” workshop on Wednesday 19 Feb 2-5pm that might help.
Details @ https://forms.gle/k3bCZ81TN6auG76V6
Update 16 Feb: The workshop has been completely booked out.
You may fill up the Streams Of Life help form or fill in the SBC form to get further help. God bless!
Update: 18 Feb: Streams of Life will be live streaming the workshop via the ThunderQuote Youtube channel
Need more help about any of the steps above? Contact us via our telegram channel or fill up our help form. We’ll be in touch to help provide technical advice free of charge via a call or helpdesk. We are also looking for volunteers to provide AV equipment or AV help to the churches.
Virtual Platforms For Small Group Gatherings
Instagram Live / Facebook Live
If the gathering requires minimal interaction from the rest of the group, the leader may choose to host a session via a Facebook / Instagram Live feed. This may be good for worship and teaching small group sessions.
Streams Of Life has linked up with Facebook Head Of Faith-Based Partnerships Nona Jones, and is pleased to bring you the Faith On Facebook Toolkit! Download the Faith On Facebook Toolkit here.
Skype (Max: 25)
Skype is a communications service that allows members to participate in text, voice and video chat. The free service only allows a maximum of 25 members in a voice/video call.
It can be accessed via the website or mobile app for both Apple and Android users.
Do ensure that members are in a sufficiently quiet location with stable internet connection to minimise disruptions. Earphones or headphones may also be utilised to prevent echo issues.
You can find out more about Skype and use it for free here: https://www.skype.com/en/
You may also use this Skype Guide For Churches created by Gerard Su.
Zoom (100 pax up to 40 mins)
Zoom is an enterprise grade video conferencing solution, which allows up to 100 pax for 40 mins for free. They support video webinars, meetings and video-linked conference rooms. Premium plans are more expensive but they are the most reliable in terms of video, audio, connection quality and stability. If you’re doing church livestreaming, this is a solid option.
Update: Zoom has been overwhelmed with over 2.3 million signups in Q1 this year.
You can find out more about Zoom and access it here: https://www.zoom.us/
Google Hangouts (Max: 250)
Google Hangouts is a communications service that allows members to participate in text, voice and video chat. The free service only allows a maximum of 250 members in a voice/video call. (Google has made its premium version of Hangouts with the increased member limit of 250 free as of 3 March to support organisations impacted by the COVID-19 virus.)
It can be accessed via the website or mobile app for both Apple and Android users.
Do ensure that members are in a sufficiently quiet location with stable internet connection to minimise disruptions. Earphones or headphones may also be utilised to prevent echo issues.
You can find out more about Google Hangouts and use it for free here: https://hangouts.google.com/
Activities For Small Group Gatherings
Movies
Movies and films are a great way for people to bond and have conversations about God, life and the world around us. There’s a variety of thought-provoking movies and faith-based movies for us to think about God’s big story and how we may live as Christ ambassadors in the world. Besides livestreaming church sermons, what are some movies that you can think of to watch in your small groups today?
Resources:
Faith based movies: SMIX
Movies:
Paul The Apostle
Case For Christ
Heart Of Man
Indivisible
Storm Boy
An Interview With God
Sermons
The Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and should continue to be preached to encourage and exhort the saints. Small groups may be edified together through listening to sermons from their local church pastors via digital means such as pre-recorded sermons, livestreamed sermons or podcasts. Alternatively, small groups could read aloud and meditate on Bible passages together. What does God wish to speak to us today from His Word?
Talks / Conferences
The Singapore church has been blessed with numerous talks and conferences all these years to equip and train us in discipleship. Besides livestreaming sermons and talks, perhaps this could be a time to dig out the recordings, materials and notes from past talks and conferences and go through them as small groups?
Social Action
The church is called to love our neighbour and be salt and light in our wider community. This is a time for us to be sensitive to God’s leading for kingdom assignments and initiatives to bless the poor, heal the sick and love the broken. What are some ways in which your small group may show love in action to your neighbour today?
Reflections
In such a time as this, we may pause and reflect upon the role and direction of every church. Within our small groups, perhaps we could discuss and pray about the church’s role today. Here are some thoughts we’ll like to share:
- The church comes home: That every home may be a sanctuary for God and provide warm hospitality to people
- The church goes digital: That every member would stay connected to their church communities in this digital age
- The church prays more: That every believer would unite with the wider church in fervent and steadfast prayer
- The church brings hope: That every church may actively step up in evangelism and social care for the vulnerable
Even as we exercise responsible care and take precautions such as livestreaming sermons and meeting in small groups during this situation, may mutual encouragement from the community continue to flourish!
About The Digital Church
EPPI 2020
Is preaching still relevant today? Do you want to harness the power of digital media for preaching? Is Your preaching keeping your church from growing? Come have these questions answered at EPPI 2020 on Jul 31 to Aug 1, 2020.
EPPI 2020: Proclamation In Today’s Digital Age
Organised by Eagles Communications
Sign up at: www.eagles.org.sg/eppi2020
Follow our Telegram Channel for announcements and updates: https://t.me/streamsoflife, or volunteer your help here.