How to Set Up PowerPoint for a Church

Some churches are embracing new technology.

Technology is on the rise in today's churches. The use of PowerPoint software for presentations is increasing. Churches are now using PowerPoint presentations to present the main points of sermons, to show the words for praise and worship songs, and to display church announcements and prayer requests. As a display tool, PowerPoint makes it easier for church members to learn and worship together. It also eliminates the need for paper waste produced by bulletins and handouts.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• PowerPoint software
• Text or pictures
• Projector
• RGB cable
• Projector screen

Instructions

1. Purchase and install the PowerPoint software to your church's computer. Follow the prompts to properly download and activate the software.

2. Open the software by double-clicking on the PowerPoint icon or by right-clicking on the icon and selecting the option that reads "Open." The program will open and a blank slide will appear on the screen.

3. Click on the section of the blank slide that reads "Click to add title." Type the title of your slide. Then, click on the section of the slide that reads "click to add subtitle." Type a subtitle if necessary. Hold down the "ctrl" key on your computer's keyboard and hit the "N" key at the same time. This will create a new slide, which will also be blank. Or, to add another slide, click on the tab that reads "home" on the upper-left part of your screen, then click on the tab that says "new slide."

4. Add content to your PowerPoint presentation by clicking on the sections that read "click to add title" and "click to add body." In these sections, type appropriate titles and content such as worship songs, sermon points, Bible verses or picture slide shows. If you do not want a title on that slide, ignore the text box that contains the text "click to add title."

5. Click on the tab in the upper part of your screen that reads "Design" to alter the page layout of your presentation, the colors and fonts used and the backgrounds of your slides. Save your PowerPoint presentation by clicking on the tab that reads "file" and then clicking on the tab that reads "save as." Name you presentation when prompted and choose the location where you would like it stored, and then click the tab "ok."

6. Hook the computer to a projector using an RGB cable. Choose a location for the projection screen, point the projector at the screen, and turn on the projector. Adjust the images on the projector screen by moving the projector closer or farther from the screen, elevating or centering it. Images can also be adjusted via the projector's settings.

7. Click the "slide show" tab on your PowerPoint program from the upper part of the screen. Select to either start the slide show from the "current slide" or "from beginning." You can also choose to "broadcast slide show" or to make a "custom slide show." The simplest method is to choose either the tab "from current slide" or "from beginning." Click through the slides by hitting the right arrow key on your keyboard or via projector remote control.

References

• Microsoft: Create Your First Presentation
• Using Powerpoint in Church: The Professional Way