Mastering Sermon Shorts: 5 Key Tips To Producing Better Shorts
Over the past decade, the landscape of public speaking, especially for lead pastors and church staff, has undergone a profound transformation. Ten years ago, speaking in front of a camera was a novelty. However, today, it's an essential part of our ministry, allowing us to connect with our congregations virtually. The challenges brought by COVID-19 accelerated this transition, making us more comfortable with a camera constantly trained on us.
Now, a new frontier is emerging in the world of online ministry: creating short video content from our sermons. In many cases, more people watch your shorts than attend your services. This offers a remarkable opportunity to expand the impact of our sermons and keep our congregation engaged throughout the week. After all, how many of us remember all three sermon points by Tuesday or Friday?
“Ten years ago, speaking in front of a camera was a novelty...Now, a new frontier is emerging in the world of online ministry: creating short video content from our sermons. In many cases, more people watch your shorts than attend your services.”
The true magic lies in the fact that you now have the cultural green light to share the best parts of your message in bite-sized pieces. This not only aids in the practical application of your sermon but also extends its reach. Every like or share sends your message to a new audience, many of whom may not even step into a church. It's a dynamic blend of outreach and discipleship.
After cutting over 400 shorts in the last 6 months, here are some learning that I will share with the speaker venturing into the realm of creating sermon shorts or reels. Please know, that you need to do what makes you comfortable and maximizes your impact, I just want to share some things that could help you reach more people in respects to your video shorts.
1. Make Eye Contact with the Camera
When you're delivering your key points, make it a conscious effort to stop and look directly into the camera. Despite the temptation to move around or pace, remember that steady eye contact enhances your sermon short’s impact.
2. Avoid Bringing Up Extra Stuff on Stage
Be cautious about bringing water bottles or sheets of paper on stage. These can quickly become distractions and disrupt the flow of your short. We've all seen great moments lost because a speaker chose to take a sip of water right in the middle of a crucial point.
3. Skip the Slides Online
In the online realm, slides can be more of a hindrance than a help. When a slide covers the camera shot, viewers miss out on seeing you, the speaker. This is especially problematic for your best points, as slides pop up when you are expressing your main idea. Now we can’t use that great moment as a short.
4. Add a Little Pause
After delivering a major point, allow for a brief pause. This simple pause can add depth and impact to your message. Resisting the urge to rush to the next point allows your audience to absorb what you've said, and it makes for a perfect ending to your short.
5. Keep It Short
Remember the power of brevity. Think in one to two-minute segments. While it's pretty easy to condense a 2-minute segment into less than a minute, trying to trim a 5-minute illustration can result in a disjointed and choppy short.
In conclusion, as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of ministry in this digital age, the power of sermon shorts and concise online content cannot be underestimated. Over the past decade, we've seen the shift from traditional pulpits to virtual platforms, and now we're seizing the opportunity to share our message in new and innovative ways. With every like and share, we have the potential to touch the lives of those who might never step into a church.
“The true magic lies in the fact that you now have the cultural green light to share the best parts of your message in bite-sized pieces.”