Creating professional-looking live streams doesn’t just depend on good cameras and solid streaming technology—it’s also about how you present your content visually. One way to improve your church’s live streams is through the use of lower thirds. These on-screen graphics help share important information with your viewers while keeping your broadcast looking polished and organized.
A lower third is a graphic overlay typically placed in the bottom third of the screen during a live broadcast or recorded video. It usually displays text, such as the name of a speaker, a Bible verse, or announcements, while leaving the main content visible in the background. You’ve probably seen lower thirds in news broadcasts, sports events, or even talk shows—where they’re often referred to as chyrons.
In church live streaming, lower thirds can be used to introduce pastors, display worship lyrics, highlight scripture passages, or provide key information like service times or donation links. When done well, they add a layer of professionalism to your streams while helping your audience stay engaged and informed.
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Why Are Lower Thirds Important for Church Live Streaming?
Lower thirds can serve as an effective communication tool that helps connect your in-person and online audiences. During worship services or sermons, lower thirds can help online viewers feel more connected by providing context, like naming speakers or displaying sermon points.
They’re also great for sharing quick information. For example, if you’re promoting an upcoming event, a lower third can display the date and time without interrupting the flow of the service. Additionally, lower thirds can direct viewers to your church’s website or donation page, which can be especially helpful for those watching from home.
With Resi’s Live Stream Platform, incorporating lower thirds into your broadcasts is simple. Whether you’re streaming to your church’s website, social media platforms, or other destinations, Resi provides the tools that can help graphics appear crisp and professional without affecting stream quality.
Lower Third Ideas for Your Church Live Streams
There are many creative ways to use lower thirds in your church’s live streaming. Here are a few lower third ideas to help get you started:
- Speaker Introductions: Display the names and titles of pastors, guest speakers, or worship leaders.
- Scripture References: Highlight Bible verses during sermons to help viewers follow along.
- Worship Lyrics: Show lyrics during worship to encourage participation from both in-person and online audiences.
- Announcements: Share information about upcoming events, service times, or volunteer opportunities.
- Donation Links: Provide giving information, like website links or QR codes, to encourage tithes and offerings.
These ideas can help make your live stream more dynamic while keeping your audience engaged throughout the service.
Tips for Lower Third Design
Effective lower third design is about more than just adding text to the screen—it’s about creating graphics that are clear, visually appealing, and consistent with your church’s branding. To keep your lower thirds effective, focus on simplicity and clarity. Avoid overcrowding the space with too much text or complicated graphics, and use fonts that are easy to read, even on smaller screens.
Consistency is also key. Stick to your church’s color palette, logos, and font styles to maintain a cohesive look across all your streaming content. Using subtle animations like fades or slides can make your lower thirds appear more dynamic without distracting from the main content. Make sure your text has enough contrast against the background by using bold colors, shadows, or a semi-transparent box behind the text to ensure readability.
By following these principles, your lower third graphics will look clean and professional while enhancing the overall quality of your live streams.
How to Add Lower Thirds to Your Resi Live Streams
ProPresenter is a popular choice among churches for displaying worship lyrics and sermon notes. You can design custom lower thirds in ProPresenter and then output them through Resi’s streaming encoders for a polished, professional look.
If you’re new to live streaming or looking to upgrade your current setup, Resi offers resources to help you get started. Visit our Getting Started Guide to learn more about integrating lower thirds and other production elements into your church’s live streams.
Lower thirds are an easy way to improve the professionalism and engagement of your church’s live streams. From displaying speaker names and Bible verses to sharing announcements and donation links, lower third graphics help communicate important information to your audience in a clear and visually appealing way.
With Resi’s reliable live streaming platform, you can be confident that your graphics will look sharp and professional every time. Whether you’re just starting out with live streaming or looking to take your broadcasts to the next level, Resi provides the tools and support you need to create high-quality, engaging content.