Worship Summit Live is the all-virtual, livestreamed event developed by PTZOptics launched in January 2020. Its purpose, to offer a full day of education and instruction on the best communications and audiovisual tools for houses of worship. Worship Summit Live founder and organizer Paul Richards is the Chief Streaming Officer at the StreamGeeks and the author of “Live Streaming is Smart Marketing.” He says he was originally motivated to enhance churches’ capabilities of staying in touch with those who could not attend church each week. Little did he know, that knowledge was about to become the global hot topic for churches when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The popular event now boasts three educational sessions already this year and Worship Summit Live returns November 18th to bring houses of worship technical training for the busy holiday worship season. We talk with Richards about their upcoming fourth event.
Worship Summit Live founder and organizer Paul Richards
CPM: How did Technical Training become the topic for this Worship Summit Live?
Richards: This will be the fourth Worship Summit Live that our team has hosted. Based on survey results following Worship Summit Live 3, attendees overwhelmingly said they wanted to learn the behind-the-scenes technical and video production skills to create engaging services via live streaming. Our goal for Worship Summit Live 4 is to deliver on that request.
CPM: Being technical, does this event also apply to anyone outside technical volunteers and staff?
Richards: Yes, it absolutely does apply to anyone involved in communicating for houses of worship. Worship Summit Live will also highlight the importance of utilizing effective communication, creating web content, the value of using social media and how to leverage video communication platforms like Zoom. Plus, we’ll have sessions highlighting the use of smartphone apps to control PTZ cameras, something even non-technical volunteers can learn easily.
CPM: What can attendees expect other than technical coaching sessions?
Richards: We’re truly blessed to have well-known live streamer Ariel Viera join us to give tours from houses of worship in New York City. Plus, there will be opportunities to win a PTZOptics live streaming camera! We will have behind-the-scenes tours viewers can watch to learn from their peers around the country. We know sometimes simple tips from people with similar backgrounds can make a world of difference.
CPM: How has COVID-19 impacted the speakers and sessions for this event?
Richards: Our very first Worship Summit Live took place in our live streaming studio, which we opened up to the public. It was nice to have audio production experts, like author Dr. Barry Hill, come in person to teach and collaborate with summit attendees. Since Covid-19, we’ve produced and hosted several virtual events complying with social distancing practices that took effect earlier this year. Without a doubt, Covid-19 has affected everyone involved in this event. Our speakers, however, have learned how to pivot their technical knowledge and expertise for online audiences. We’ve all acquired these skills in order to effectively teach and mentor others.
For more information and to register, visit https://worshipsummit.live/.
