Speeches & setup
Using a Teleprompter for Sermons and Livestreamed Services
More churches livestream services than ever. How preachers and worship leaders can use a teleprompter or tablet for sermons, readings and announcements while staying personal.
In this guide
Since 2020, many congregations have kept livestreaming services, and preachers now speak to two audiences at once: the people in the room and the people watching through a camera. A teleprompter or tablet can help with both, as long as it supports the sermon rather than replacing the connection.
Decide what to write out
Preachers vary widely. Some write every word; others speak from a few headings. A teleprompter works for either, but most find a middle path works best on camera:
- Write out the opening, the main points, key illustrations and the closing.
- Write out scripture readings in the translation you will use, so you read them accurately.
- Use short notes for stories and application you know well.
Format for a quick glance
A sermon prompter is glanced at, not read continuously. Help yourself:
- Large font, so you can read it from a step back.
- Short lines, a few words each.
- Headings for each movement of the sermon.
- Marked pauses where you want silence to land.
In Cue, lines starting with # become section headings, text in square brackets shows as a delivery note such as [pause] or [turn to slide], and // notes are private reminders that are not part of the spoken script. See script markup for delivery.
Place it where your eyes need to be
If most of your audience is in the room, put the prompter on or near the lectern so you glance down only slightly. If the livestream camera is central, place the prompter close to the camera line. A tablet on a low stand in front of the platform is a common compromise.
Choose the right scrolling
Preaching does not run at a fixed speed. You slow down, pause, repeat, respond to the room. A fixed scroll will either race ahead or lag. Use manual advance, cue cards with one section per card, or a speech-following prompter. Our voice-controlled teleprompter guide explains how speech following handles pauses.
Keep announcements tight
Announcements are often the part of a livestream that drags. Script them word for word, keep them under two minutes, and read them from the prompter. Dates, times and names must be accurate, and a written script prevents the slow, improvised version.
Rehearse in the space
Practise at least once in the building, with the lighting you will have on Sunday. Check that the prompter is readable under stage lights and does not reflect in glasses. See teleprompter with glasses.
Stay present
The prompter is there so you do not lose your way. It is not a reason to stop looking at people. Many preachers find that knowing the full text is in front of them makes them more willing to look up, pause and respond to the room. For general tips on staying natural, see how to use a teleprompter without sounding robotic.
Frequently asked questions
Will using a teleprompter make my sermon feel less personal?
Not if you use it for structure and key passages rather than every word. Many preachers use it like notes that keep their eyes up.
Should I script my whole sermon?
That is a personal choice. Many preachers write a full manuscript for preparation, then preach from a shorter outline with key sentences written out.
Where should the prompter go in a church?
Near the line between you and the congregation or camera, such as on the lectern or a low stand in front, so glancing at it keeps your head up.